Art & Life with Ashley Keene

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Keene.

Ashley, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I grew up in Tampa, FL where I started singing and dancing at a very young age. My mom had been a singer/ dancer herself and my grandma was a piano and music teacher, so I guess you could say the music just ran in the family.

I pursued musical theatre in NYC for about six years after I graduated with my BFA from Florida State University. I made the move to LA about four years ago when I decided NY was just too cold for this Florida girl. 

About a year ago, I started singing back up for the rock band ‘Harry Katz & The Pistachios’ and at about the same time I started songwriting. I actually had it stuck in my head for years that I was not a writer, but a dear songwriter friend of mine sat me down, and made me write my first song with him. That song was “Bad Bitch” and eventually became my first single. 

From there, the songwriting opened a floodgate for me and it has not stopped. Now I can say I truly love to write and I have such an appreciation for it.

I played my first show in LA with 7 of my original songs in January 2019 at The Other Door in Burbank, CA. The next month (and second show), I sold out The Hotel Cafe’s second stage. I released my first single, “Bad Bitch” in May, and headlined Hotel Cafe’s Main Stage that month for my single release show. From there, it’s only evolving with more music and more shows. 

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I am a performer, singer, and a songwriter. I am most new to songwriting but it has become such an outlet for me, and I am so grateful to be in a city surrounded by so many amazing and talented artists. It is such a crazy and rewarding process where we can put all of our feelings and thoughts into a song. Turning something that might have been so painful at one time into something truly beautiful, a work of art.

I write from experience and looking back on my songs from this year, they read like a diary. 

Most of my songs are power songs meant to lift you up. I’ve taken unpleasant memories and feelings I’ve had and turned them around into something empowering and uplifting. Because that is what we must do in life, I believe. Not sulk in the sorrow, but figure out a way and say “Ok, now how can I get out of this funk?”.

I create and perform because I feel like it’s what I am put on this earth to do. I’ve worked on my “plan b” for years in the fashion industry because in all honesty, being an artist is freakin hard and I thought it would give me a comfortable life. In reality, I felt soul-less, out of alignment, and knew deep down what I’m really here to do.

When on stage, I share my world for those people who are going through hard times in their lives. As artists, it’s our job to be vulnerable and wear our hearts on our sleeves. 

We all go through so many hardships, ups and downs, and if I can be a light for at least one person in the audience, then I have done my job. My lyrics are usually pretty straight forward, so I find most people can relate to what I talk about in my songs. 

We are all in this game of life together and I want us to be able to relate to each other and pick one another up when we are down. That is what I want to do for people. That is what I want to do with my music.

What responsibility, if any, do you think artists have to use their art to help alleviate problems faced by others? Has your art been affected by issues you’re concerned about?
I think artists have always been extremely influential throughout history, and it is part of our job to be bold about worldly issues. 

I know for me currently, I’m trying to focus on writing more songs for us as a community rather than just heartbreak love songs. I think we are all needing something a little more right now.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I post all my upcoming shows and projects on my social media (Instagram mostly) and my website. You can sign up for my mailing list on my website and be sure to follow my YouTube channel because I am currently working on filming more videos to put out soon. Send me a message, lets collaborate, lets be friends. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ashleykeenemusic.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashley_keene
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashleykeenemusic
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshleyNKeene
• Other: Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2LuPRwu

Image Credit:
Image Credit: Gerrad Wilson, Justin Higuchi, Devon Keene, Tsarina Merrin, Fiona Cansino, Jacob Mondry

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