Why Blue Matters: WBM Presents Up & Coming Artist: Ashley Alexander

WBM Presents a refreshing up and coming artist by the name of Ashley Alexander. By the end of this interview you would have thought Ashley absolutely remarkable as we have. Guaranteed. We kid you not. Take a minute and get to know her.

[As Told To Why Blue Matters]

WBM: So lets start off Introduce yourself to the people who may not who you are? and explain exactly what do you do?

Ashley: Hey Hey! Ashley Alexander here, talking to you from Laurel/Columbia MD. I am a singer/songwriter who is currently working on my second album currently titled "Point of Departure". I came out with my first album in 2006 titled, "The World Needs What I Need". In my opinion, i'm a mash up of R&B, Hip-hop, Rock, and House. I've been involved with my wonderful production company, The Bang Department and my executive producers, Sonny Brix & Isikar for 6 years. I've done work with other MD artists such as production company, The Reason, Artists : Adversary, Jay Flame & Late July Music Group.

WBM: What has been your favorite accomplishment in your career so far?

Ashley: Favorite? that's hard! probably opening for KRS-ONE. Me and various Bang Department members were individually performing in this contest for him, and he chose us all ironically. It was a great experience. Otherwise, it'd be me finishing my first album and my first big show. It was such wild time then. I was so headstrong lol.

WBM: Is there something you want to do, that you haven't yet?

Ashley: I haven't performed outside of the country yet. I'm into a lot of world artists, I wanna explore everything I can. Within my music and with others. Oh! and skydive.

WBM: What's the difference between the real you, and you the performer?

Ashley: As the years have gone by... alot. I'm very friendly and personable in general, so I like to feel approachable off stage. On stage, I'm more about being assertive, commanding, wanting to acquire some respect from my audience that they'll listen to what i have to say. I dig the idea that on stage I'm an image you try to decipher. Cus I'm a goofball most times lol.

WBM: So what project are you working on now? What are your goals for 2011?

Ashley: Currently I'm working on my new album, "Point of Departure". Also involved in other artists projects such as, Kel Spencer's "Kel.i.do.scope" ( @Kelspencer) , Sonny Brix's "The Delivery Room", and many others. Also I'm in the process of opening my own publishing company, because I want to be a self- sufficient as possible.

WBM: What were you doing before you got into music?

Ashley: I was a band and dance geek growing up, so I just played french horn, danced, and served at restaurants. Songwriting is something I always did. I was always involved in the arts in some way, just was a point of waiting for the right time for things to align and for me to do solo work.

WBM: What made you want to do music?

Ashley: From a young age, I always liked rhythm and prose. I "got" songs very young. Fortunately, my family surrounded me with a variety of music genres. I paid a lot of attention to lyrics and how they made me feel. Music made me aware of everything.

WBM: Tell us a little bit about yourself:

Ashley: I was born and raised in Laurel, Md. I'm a Libra..my birthday is September 25th. As of 2008, I started practicing Buddhism and it's been a great journey thus far.

WBM: Interest(s)?

Ashley: I love cooking and traveling. British TV and horror movies make me smile. I spend alot of time listening to other artists. Old and new. Plus I'm addicted to music magazines.

WBM: What do you do for fun when you're not doing music?

Ashley: Lol.... spend alot of time with my friends and family. I'm surrounded by some truly unique people. I try to eat sushi as much as possible (it's my addiction).

WBM: What is something that a lot of people don't know about you?

Ashley: I love "Inside the actors studio" and I'm a board game junkie. I'm a big kid at heart so cartoons, fruit snacks and toys are great.

WBM: What do you like most about being in the business?

Ashley: I enjoy being able to express myself for a living. Most people don't really do what they enjoy in life. I think I'm pretty fortunate. I like networking so collaborating with people and helping people with their craft is amazing.

WBM: Any regrets? Lessons learned?

Ashley: No regrets yet. I have learned that you should always speak up about anything that involves you. Never just let others dictate your path. Always be on time for shows, Always be professional. Have business cards on hand (lol that's still a struggle) and always always speak to your fans.

WBM: What's the thought process behind your works?

Ashley: Most of my ideas come from the things I'm around and what my opinion is about it. I like the little details about things since so many people write about the big topics. For example, when people write about being liking someone in general, I'd opt to talk about the way they look at me or what they say. The little things are important.

WBM: ...from personal experience?

Ashley: I've been in some crappy relationships, and so have some of my friends. After being a listening board to them and trying to console myself, a lot of great songs came out of it. Those are the songs more people come up to me and say "I just ended it with this guy, and you just made me feel so much better....f%^k him! lol". i get a kick out of that.

WBM: ...mere creativity?

Ashley: I'm all about environment, so if the mood is right, I'm open to write anything. Strangely enough, i write alot in the bathroom and the car. It's the few places where no one will bother you for a while and you can sing as loud as you want.

WBM: What inspires and motivates you?

Ashley: My motivation comes from the responses I get from my music. It helps indicate that I'm on the right track. Everything inspires me, I'm a sponge for anything stimulating.

WBM: What are you listening to in your iPod these days?

Ashley: I make mix cds for my friends once a month, so this question is fun!
here ya go:

Tame Impala "Alter Ego"
Esthero "Superheroes"
Little Dragon "Turn Left"
N.E.R.D. "Life as a fish"
Cee-lo "Bodies"
Gorillaz "Rhinestone eyes"
Ski Beatz "Cream of the planet"
Jeff Buckley "Despite the tears"
Deftones "Hole in the Earth"
The Foreign Exchange "House of cards"
...I could go on for a while....lol

WBM: Why?

Ashley: I've always been that weirdo that asks people what the song is playing the store or restaurant. Thank heaven for Shazam. I like being affected by music, opening myself up to someone else's perspective. It makes me feel alive when i learn about a new artist or song. I feel more diverse than the day before.

WBM: Does any negativity from the media ever affect you in anyway?

Ashley: Some years ago, I had a family member harm another person. In the media, they were portrayed as this monster, which they weren't. From that moment on, I told myself I'd never believe everything i see in the media. You can't be that trusting.

WBM: Any advice for those looking to pursue their dreams?

Ashley: You have to be spontaneous and open for whatever comes your way. You have to accept that your dreams are not far fetched, because their is always some order of operation to get there. Big or small. Constructive criticism never hurt anyone, if you don't have people around to drop your ego and get real with you, your jaded.

WBM: What do you want to be remembered by?

Ashley: I'd like to be remembered for my character. I'd love to have my music touch people globally. I want people all around the world to one day say, "That song meant the most to me".

WBM: Anything else you would like the world to know about you?