Start Listening To: Ashley Shadow

In this interview we talk Vancouver, touring, past projects, and inspirations with Ashley Shadow. Her latest single, ‘Don’t Slow Me Down’ with Bonnie Prince Billy, is available now for your streaming pleasure.

For those unfamiliar with your music, can you tell us who you are, where you’re from, and a little bit about the music that you make?

My name is Ashley Shadow, I’m from Vancouver, B.C., Canada. I’m a songwriter and singer primarily. I am influenced by punk, soul, folk and country. This album influenced a bit by all of that I suppose without being too all over the place.

What is your songwriting process like?

I write my songs alone, make demos from home and once I have a song I feel is ready to play I get together with Ryan Beattie (from the band Himalayan Bear). He is an incredible guitar player and adds his touches. When this latest album was ready to record I worked with Ryan and Josh Wells (from Black Mountain, Destroyer, Lightning Dust) in Josh’s studio call the Balloon Factory, from there we added whatever we thought was needed and called up friends to come and add stuff like lap steel, bass and such.

Can you tell us about what went into your new single, ‘For Love’?

It’s simply a song I wrote to commemorate the action of letting something you loved go for something you love more because life goes on.

How do you think Vancouver as a city has influenced your relationship with music?

Vancouver has turned into a very expensive city. Basically every musician I know has to work on top of being moderately successful with music. I'm getting kicked out of my jam space this fall because they are tearing it down to build condos. I see what Vancouver is becoming, I write about this a lot; homelessness in Vancouver is on a rise but there’s also a resilience, community and fight in people here. My many years working as a Healthcare worker with a non-profit that helps the most at-risk population in Vancouver has also had a lot of influence on the way I see humanity and how I value things.

What was it like working in The Organ and contributing to other projects before you settled into your current place as Ashley Shadow?

I was with The Organ from age 21-26 and it was a dream come true at the time, I came from a poor, dysfunctional upbringing in a terrible suburb and all I wanted to do was move to the city and play music with girls, I fell right into that with The Organ and got to tour the world. I also had a really great time touring with Lightning Dust and collaborating on Pink Mountaintops’ Outside Love and touring with Stephen Mcbean, it was more of a temporary gig as their lineups were always changing. I loved contributing to Bonnie Prince Billy’s album Lie Down in The Light, I learned a lot touring with Will Oldham, I love the way he approaches music and I had also been a huge fan of his songwriting since I was like 15. I am thrilled he sings on my upcoming album.

Who would you say are your biggest musical influences?

Sinead O’Connor; she is so insanely talented through and through, genuine, speaks her mind and doesn’t give a fuck. Others who influence me are Fever Ray, Kendrick Lamar, Grateful Dead, The Pogues, Cat Power, Harry Belafonte, Nina Simone, Ramones, Frank Ocean… I’m all over the place. I basically just read you a list of a playlist I just made, haha. It’s too hard to pick and also always changing but Sinead is number one.

What do you hate most right now?

Housing crisis, fragile male egos, Cultural genocide on indigenous people and the lack of acknowledgement today. Strangers’ Bluetooth speakers playing during hikes.

What do you love most right now?

Community, friends, riding to the beach and swimming, my friends' kids; they inspire me and give me hope for the future.

Photography credit: Tyler Mcleod

What’s it like working with Felte Records?

It’s been really nice, they believe in what I’m doing and are enthusiastic about putting my music out and are very encouraging. What more could you want?!

Now that things are easing up around the world, do you have any particular plans for live shows?

I am extremely eager to play live again, I miss hearing a loud band making noise and singing, I need that back in my life!! Nothing to let you in on yet but soon.

Which projects from this year have you been listening to?

This year… I love the latest Nick Cave album Carnage. The new Superwolf is great, I absolutely LOVE the SAULT albums, they’re so inspiring, powerful and uplifting. They have saved me through these last couple years.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I can’t wait to finally release Ashley Shadow’s Only The End! Please have a listen.