We recently caught up with Mason Ashley! Check out the interview!
upfrontNY: How does music make you feel?
Mason Ashley: Music has the power to evoke such strong emotions. I think even when I was young music could affect my mood. I remember listening to songs like “Dreaming with a Broken Heart” by John Mayer and feeling the words and the emotion strongly before I really knew what heartbreak was. Music makes me feel powerful, vulnerable, real and free. The beautiful thing about music is that it chooses what you feel.
upfrontNY: Can you tell us about your song Show and Tell?
Mason Ashley: “Show and Tell” is a song that I think a lot of people, and especially women, could find some comfort in. It’s about getting through heartbreak and coming out the other side stronger. It moves through the emotions of hurt and the fear of losing yourself to finding your own strength and voice in the midst of pain. It’s about the in between stage of trying make everyone believe you’re okay, and finally being okay.
upfrontNY: How does it feel having over a million views on this video?
Mason Ashley: It is absolutely insane and somewhat surreal to think that over a million people around the world have seen my video and heard my song. It was always this long term goal of mine to hit that number and I never in my wildest dreams would I have thought it would have been so quickly. It is truly so humbling and rewarding.
upfrontNY: What is it like seeing one of your songs inspire and mean so much for so many people?
Mason Ashley: The absolute best feeling in the world is knowing that someone out in the world could find some comfort or inspiration in something that I’ve written. I am someone that relies heavily on listening to music as a form of therapy and I really can’t even wrap my mind around the thought that I could maybe be a relief like that to a stranger.
upfrontNY: What advice do you have for others who are trying to find themselves again and put themselves back together?
Mason Ashley: Hold on. There are times when you will feel stuck. Lost. Hopeless. But there really is nothing that time doesn’t heal. Healing doesn’t mean that you will go back to exactly who you were before.. but you shouldn’t want to. The best thing you can do is let yourself grieve, let yourself change, and let time do what it does. One day you’ll be stronger for it.
upfrontNY: Do you have a motivational song or quote that helps you push through the difficult times?
Mason Ashley: I actually recently stumbled across a bible verse that has really stuck with me. “We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perserverance, character; and character, hope.”-Romans 5:3-4
upfrontNY: Has your writing style changed over time or where you find your inspiration?
Mason Ashley: My style has definitely changed and evolved since I started releasing music. I started off doing a folk/americana type thing and then more singer/songwriter with the songs I’ve released this year, like “Show and Tell”. I’m currently transitioning to a little more alternative sound with a song I’ll be releasing in January. As for my inspiration, it always has and always will strictly come from experience. I never sit down and choose what I write about.. it sounds strange, but it chooses me. Lyrics will spill themselves onto a page and I’ll be like “Oh…I guess that’s how I feel about this situation.”
upfrontNY: What do you want others to know about you, your music, or what is next for you?
Mason Ashley: I would love for them to watch for what’s coming. I have a new music video coming the beginning of the year and even more brand new music this coming year! You can follow me on Instagram: @themasonashley and Twitter: @masonashleymusic for updates. Thank you for reading and for listening, it means the world.
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