MEET ASHLYN MARIE | A Y2K COUNTRY POP STAR
Welcome to Chick Chat on Nostalchicks, where we spotlight the freshest creators and talents that showcase a twinkle of nostalgia within their art. Today, we’re shining the spotlight on Ashlyn Marie, a rising star who’s giving country music a 2000s makeover. Graduating from Clemson University, Ashlyn brings a unique blend of classic country vibes and contemporary pop to the stage. From her latest single to her creative process and her love for all things y2k, Ashlyn is a Nostalchick’s dream come true. She’s carving out her own space in the world of country music. Get ready to tap your boots to a new beat with Ashlyn Marie!
ICEBREAKERS:
NC: If you could pick one item from your childhood to seal in a time capsule, what would it be and why?
AM: If I could freeze something in a time capsule, I would freeze my portable DVD player and all the DVDs that I used to bring around with me.
NC: Go-to Karaoke Song?
AM: “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” by Aretha Franklin!
NC: Faith Hill, Shania Twain, Or The Chicks?
AM: “I think, just because there are more women, I gotta choose The Chicks! I love their stance on everything! I think they’re awesome!”
Clemson Chronicles: Ashlyn’s Music Epiphany
INTERVIEW
NC: So you’re about to graduate college! Congrats! How did your time at Clemson University studying performance art shape your approach to music and performing?
AM: “Oh my gosh. It’s literally changed the way I think about music. I grew up on a very “by ear” basis. I learned by ear and did everything by just listening. When I came to Clemson, that’s when I got my music theory and my music history, and I learned about how all the music today is rooted in the music from yesterday. It’s made me see music in a totally different light. I’ve taken songwriting classes and acting classes that have opened up new doors for me. It’s pretty much just changed my life.”
Heartbreak Harmony: The Story Behind “If I were You”
NC: Could you share the story or inspiration behind your latest single “If I were You”? What do you hope people take away from it? AM: “If I were you” is definitely a sad cowgirl song! That’s a song for sitting at the bar with your girlfriends and remembering a really bad breakup. It was inspired by a breakup that I had where someone told me they needed to find themselves. I’ve also been to the other end of that, where I needed to find myself. So I kind of just asked the question “where would I find myself if I were you”.
Creative Writing: Ashlyn’s Lyrical Process!
NC: I’ve noticed that your music takes inspiration from country, pop, blues, and R&B. I love that your catalog so far takes risks when it comes to sounds and genre bending. What’s your creative process like, down to the songwriting to the production, or anything else you’d like to add? AM: “My songwriting process varies, and it has changed a lot this semester just by being in a songwriting class and collaborating with other people. But usually, 9 times out of 10, I will get inspiration out of the blue whether it’s something that someone has said, or if I’m humming and something starts to sound catchy. That’s called top-lining, where you kinda just hum something and you write the melody first. You may not have lyrics or any kind of words to it yet. You just figure out the words later. That’s usually how I write my songs. Melody first and then I’ll play around with lyrics and see what sticks.”
Melodic Memories: Ashlyn’s Nostalgic Soundtrack!
NC: Your music has a nostalgic feel, especially in your song “So High”. What draws you to nostalgia, and how does it inspire your music? AM: “My earliest memories as a child are watching Disney and Nickelodeon. I literally worshiped Hannah Montana, The Cheetah Girls, and the cast of High School Musical. My room was covered in Jonas Brothers, Aly and AJ, and Jesse McCartney posters. Those are my earliest memories of connecting with music. I just saw myself in those pop stars. That’s what I’ve always wanted to do. I guess, when you get in your twenties, you go back to your childhood, and you rediscover your true self! I feel like now that I’m able to release music and have the resources to do that, I’ve connected to my childhood self more than ever in that sense.”
Retro Rodeo: Ashlyn’s Y2K Country Couture!
NC: Playing off the last question, I adore your personal style. Your style has y2k country elements, even appearing on your single covers. Does fashion and trends influence you and your creative process?
AM: “Absolutely. I’m really not the type to spend tons of money on clothes. I try to thrift 99% of it, and the other 1% is just cute stuff I come across. I love finding cute stuff anywhere and everywhere! When I was growing up, the outfits on Disney Channel were crazy and I’ve taken a lot of inspiration from that. For example, Ashley Tisdale, Miley Cyrus, Vanessa Hudgens…especially Raven Symone were my favorites! The outfits from That So Raven are just iconic! Certain movies like “Confessions Of A Teenage Drama Queen”, shaped my understanding of fashion. I’ve just tried to call back to that. That’s who I am. Like if I try to dress like anything else, it doesn’t feel like me.”
Miley Mania: Ashlyn’s Muse!
NC: Who is your biggest musical inspiration? How has their career journey impacted your own artistic growth?
AM: “That’s a really easy question for me to answer. It’s 100% Miley Cyrus. I love everything about her. I’ve followed her from literally day one when I first watched Hannah Montana when I was a little 6 or 7-year-old girl. I loved her music, her style, and her career. The fact that she had this double life was so cool to me. Even when I was thirteen, and she was going through her really controversial “Bangers” era, it inspired me so much. I loved how free she was.”
What’s To Come: Dreaming Big!
NC: Where do you see yourself in ten years? What impact do you want to make on the music industry?
AM: “In ten years, I will hopefully have some acting experience in TV and film. Hopefully, I’ll have a few albums out. As long as I’m making music and I have my dogs and can express myself through art and fashion just living life I’ll be okay with that.”
WHERE TO FIND ASHLYN MARIE:
WRITTEN BY: SHELLY RAY
CHICK CHAT
