Interview: Ashley Loren
Welcome Ashley Loren! Super excited to chat with you. Tell us a little about your story. Where you started and where you are now?
Thank you so much, thrilled to be here! I am currently living in NYC, where I have been since the pandemic began (wow do I miss traveling!) I grew up in New Jersey and started in musical theater as a kid. By the time I was 14, I began writing music, and was in two girl groups before signing my first solo production contract. I appeared on Season 8 of American Idol and later signed with Universal Music Group/ Island Def Jam. Since then, I have appeared in Broadway shows, tours, and musicals across the country, I was featured on Season 2 of "This Is Us” and in an indie movie called “Be The Light” that was released last year. I’ve been lucky enough to travel the world alongside major artists such as Bono/U2, Angelique Kidjo, Melissa Etheridge, Carly Rae Jepsen, Lupe Fiasco, Dev Hynes/Blood Orange, Iggy Azalea, Yoko Ono and more.
My music has been a priority for a while now, and after COVID-19 forced us to take this necessary pause, I’ve used this time to focus on my project. I’ve released three singles so far, and am working towards a spring EP release! Stay tuned!
You released a very powerful song titled "Pray" did you write this song? Tell us more about the meaning behind it for you?
Thanks! It is a cover song! I had recorded a version of Sam Smith’s ‘PRAY’ with my producer D’Mile sometime ago, but never released it. When Sam Smith debuted this song, it spoke so much truth about what so many of us experience when our eyes are open to what is going on in the world and there was never a more appropriate time to release my version than now. I remember reading an article in “Billboard” where Sam spoke about his inspiration for the song, a spiritual and social comment on the world in a way. The lyrics, while stitched with a bit of despair, really cry out to our humanity, and encourage us to find hope. It speaks of youth, foolishness, and bad decisions, but also reminds us of the fact that life is uncompromisable in its fragility, and it begs us to ask - how are we going to continue living? For me, it is a reminder to stay aware of the state of this country, of the world, and to try and make a difference somehow, to someone, or something, as much as I can - to look inward and upward, to reach out, and to Pray.
So, I called up my friend Morgan Marcell and asked if she would be interested in collaborating on a video to release alongside the record on streaming platforms. And we did!
In the video Morgan captures stunning footage of empty New York City streets, as the hustle and bustle of the old Times Square is quieted by the weight of this pandemic. It was wild, but in that silence, we knew that what we were creating was something beautiful. New York City is one of the most resilient cities in the country. We may not be invincible, but we are strong.
Our hope has been that people who listen to the song/ watch the video on YouTube might feel inspired during this time to donate to The Actor's Fund, (actorsfund.org) an organization helping those in the entertainment community in times of crisis, and/or Covenant House NY, (covenanthouse.org) an organization that helps the homeless, runaway, and trafficked youth in NYC.
What is the best piece of advice you have been given that you would share with us?
I’ve been given a lot of advice over the years. Mostly from men in positions of power within the music and entertainment industry and I think the most important lesson I have learned is to trust myself, to believe in myself wholeheartedly, especially as a woman. We have such a glorious and unique power that sometimes gets lost in the chase for something bigger and better. I feel like I've spent most of my years as a people pleaser - to be whatever others wanted me to be, to fit in some sort of box artistically. That carried over into other aspects of my life and it is so easy to lose yourself that way. I think the fun in this crazy adventure is to constantly and consistently learn, grow and evolve as individuals, as a unique part of the collective. Living life in an honest and vulnerable way is what makes art so special and so important. I think this year has given us a rare opportunity to slow down and look inward - to trust the cycles of life, to learn how to pace, to get to know and trust yourself in the stillness, and to remember that the little things are sometimes the most important - a hug from your family, a shared meal with the ones you love, a warm bed, clean water in an inclusive, equitable, and just world are more important than anything. You can’t please everyone, but if you aren’t on the journey to happiness with yourself, you won’t find happiness elsewhere. If we don’t remember to live our lives and to connect, our art suffers, our heart suffers, and this year has had a lot of that.
Now that things are starting to open back up little by little - are you hoping to tour any? If so, what is your dream stage to play on?
Absolutely! Before the shut down, I was performing weekly as the Standby for Satine in "Moulin Rouge: The Musical" on Broadway. I got my start in musical theater as a child, and the live stage experience is something I miss so dearly. I would love to tour both the US and the world when we are allowed to do so safely again. I’ve lived in NYC for a very long time, and there is something so dreamy about performing at Madison Sq. Garden. I really hope to headline there one day, sharing my art with the world again - wouldn’t that be amazing?! I think when things open back up again we are going to see a sort of Roaring 20’s 2.0 - a time of such celebration thats overflowing with music and art and parties - at least thats my hope, and I cannot wait!
What is your favorite song, not counting any of your own - that was released in 2020?
Oh this is hard! I have extra love for any and every song that came out since March of 2020. It has been a really tricky time to release music and also, at the same time, a very important reminder of how we need music and art to survive. Personally, I really dove into the more vulnerable records during this time. I love everything JP Saxe released, especially "If The World Was Ending", I mean, it felt so appropriate for so long. "Before You Go" Lewis Capaldi is also great. The moodiness of everything Billie Eilish really gets me these days as well - I mean, she’s the most streamed female artist on Spotify for a reason! “Lonely" and “Holy" by Justin Bieber are really great. And the T.Swift “folklore" album was so appropriately released as well. When I need to dance around my room I’ll listen down to any Ariana Grande album. Oh, and 2020 was also the year of “WAP”, right? Cmon. I was so here for that.
See I can’t choose - please don't make me choose! :)
I know you didn't ask this question, but I would love to share that my favorite song to come out of 2021 by far is my long time producer and collaborator D’Mile’s song with Bruno Mars, Silk Sonic & Anderson .Paak. If you haven’t listened to “Leave the Door Open” yet… what are you waiting for! It’s playing every day in my house. Such a vibe!
Tell us where we can keep up with you online and listen to your music.
Yes! Thank you!
You can find links here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleyloren/ — @ashleyloren
Twitter: https://twitter.com/msashleyloren — @msashleyloren
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AshleyLoren
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0nfs9fHoZi8sD5Wc8iJzRP?si=BX277t4kQ6OnyYuu0uAyqA
