Interview: Ashlyn Nicole
Ashlyn Nicole, a singer-songwriter and professionally trained musician, has released her self titled EP. Louder Than The Music spoke with her to find out how she trained in music, what inspires and influences her, and her plans for the future.
For those who haven't heard of you before, can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got involved in making music?
My parents are artists and musicians, and I grew up surrounded by outlets of creativity. I started taking piano lessons when I was eight years old and got involved in community theater productions as well as participated in family music events. I figured out pretty early on that music was my passion, and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else with my life. I went to college to earn my degree in music studies and became experienced in various styles, including jazz, opera, classical, and folk.
Tell us about your self-titled EP and what the inspiration behind it was?
This EP contains six songs that feature jazz-combo style accompaniment to messages of faith and hope. When I wrote these songs, I had been musically experimenting with different jazz harmonies and rhythms. While practicing these techniques, I started composing lyrics that reflected what I had been learning or going through spiritually at the time.
Do you have any plans to release more music in the near future?
Absolutely. Currently, I have been busy doing solo shows, collaborations with other artists, and songwriting for my next release. At the moment, I am not completely certain of what it will look like. I do have a single that I am currently working on and hoping to release later this year. But another EP (or maybe a full album) is definitely in the works as well!
What message would you like people to take from your music?
In sharing my own experiences and thoughts, I hope that my music will be relatable and encouraging to others. In sharing messages of hope and faith, I also seek to display honest emotion and humanity through my lyrics. I hope that people can listen and say “hey, I’m going through that same thing” or “wow, I have felt that way too.” Ultimately, I hope they can feel uplifted and encouraged by our Heavenly Father’s gracious, extravagant, and ever-forgiving love.
How would you describe your style of music and what are your influences?
I am a big fan of unconventional and complex harmonic progressions. Instrumentally, I believe that music should take the listener on a journey, and I enjoy portraying emotion and character through my chord choices. On top of that, I seek to share honest emotion and Biblical truths in my lyrics. I have found few examples of jazz style, faith-themed songs. I feel pretty original in this combination!
Musically and lyrically, I have found much inspiration from artists and bands like Gungor, Evanescence, and Jon Foreman. These three are very different from each other! And I realize that my style is not really at all similar to theirs. However, what inspires me about their music is their approach to songwriting. To me, they show examples of how to successfully interweave deep, meaningful lyrics over musical choices that take the listener on a journey of discovery, contemplation, and action. This journey is the same kind I hope to take my own listeners on through my music.
From a more jazz influence, I am a big fan of Ella Fitzgerald, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Sarah Vaughan.
If you could work with any songwriter, who would it be and why?
It would be a dream to work with Jon Foreman! In both his solo work and with Switchfoot, his music has always provoked me to deep thought and reflection. I always find his songs to be so relatable and accessible and at the same time rich in meaning and intention.
How would you define success in your career as an artist?
Hmm. That is a tough question! I know that ten years ago my answer would have been different than it is today. And I think it might be something that I will honestly continue to redefine over the years. I’m learning something new all the time, but what I have seen to be constant is the need to stay available and faithful in each opportunity. Whether my audience is a thousand people or one person... I hope that God speaks through me and reaches someone. And if God chooses to use me and my music to reach just one person-no matter how miniscule the impact seems to be at the time-that is enough success for me.
What is your favorite album of all time?
That is an impossible question! My tastes are so diverse, I honestly cannot pick just one.
You're stuck on an island, it's hot, you only have enough battery life left to listen to one song on your phone. What track is it?
Giant Steps by John Coltrane.
What does the next year hold for you?
This year is definitely a transition year for me! My husband and I are going through some big life and location changes, but I feel hopeful and optimistic about what’s to come. I am not completely sure what is in store, but I feel like God is moving me to a space where I can focus more on developing my career as an artist in music and ministry.
