Ashley Sofia – Old Soul (Video World Premiere) + Interview
Today on Belles and Gals we are excited to offer the world premiere of the newest video, Old Soul, from Ashley Sofia, a remarkable singer/songwriter from deep in the heart of the Adirondacks. She came on strong in 2014 with the release of her debut album, Love and Fury, receiving accolades from throughout the folk music scene. We were able to catch up with Ashley to ask about the video, life, and what she might have in store for 2017.
Mike:
First off, I can’t tell you how much your fans have been looking forward to a new release from you. Love and Fury, received incredibly positive reviews from a variety of sources back in 2014. Since that time, many of us have been hoping to hear more. One of the things I really like about your music are the stories contained in the lyrics. Tell us a little bit about “Old Soul.”
Ashley:
I’m so grateful and amazed by listeners who’ve stuck with me since then. I have been so fortunate to have that support. I’m especially amazed, 3 years later, that people still talk to me about it. I’ve been working really hard and consistently (very quietly) for the past few years, and I’m getting ready to start releasing content again.
When I was touring I’d hear the same thing from people over and over. “You’re an old soul.” My mom had always said it. My friends in Nashville call me grandma. I’ve sort of always felt a hundred years old. Even as a kid.
I text a lot. I go out and have drinks with friends. I listen to loud music. None of this matters – I’m old deep down. The song, like most of my songs, came about naturally. I was playing those chords and the words started falling out of my mouth. Sometimes I feel shy about performing it because it’s very autobiographical. It isn’t about love or life, it’s about the journey – wherever it is -that I’m going.
I’ve had a guitar in my hands now for 16 years, and I think it’s becoming clear that I’m never gonna put it down. I’ve lived wider than I have long, and I’m different now because of that. In part for the worse. In part for the better.
Mike:
I’ve had the pleasure of listening to it a few times, and find it just as appealing as your earlier work. That said, I get the feeling that this might be a newer song. I know you are a prolific writer, so is this new or one that came from the archives and is just now ready to be shared?
Ashley:
I wrote this a few years ago, but I think it feels new, even to me, because it really speaks to my life right now. I spend so much time working on my craft, so much time alone. I guess it’s kind of my theme song. It’s relevant to me right now. I don’t know if it will speak to other people.
I grapple with that delicate line as an artist- I want to deliver things that touch people, but I also believe in being honest, and writing about what you know. I know a lot about feeling older than I am, especially since I left the Adirondacks, so I wrote a song about it.
Mike:
You once again teamed with Jon Kilmer (Tourings Boring, This is Mike Stud) on this video. Just as with Let Go, I appreciate the simplicity, yet attention to detail. How did you get hooked up with Jon?
Ashley:
Jon has a really good eye and amazing technical ability. He makes me laugh a lot on set. While I’m an entirely different sound than his other clients, we mesh well together. We’ve done a lot of work over the years and I always know I can count on him to make something beautiful that reflects who I am. He’s a very hard worker, and he’s smart behind a lens. I appreciate so much what he’s been able to do for me.
Mike:
In the video, I noticed the Whitney Houston Award on the wall – special significance, or simply a prop?
Ashley:
No symbolism J He just included that!
Mike:
When a new video/single is released, the obvious question is: Is there more in the pipeline? Can you tell us if there are any plans for a new album?
Ashley:
Yes. I’ve been writing and working and playing harder than I’ve felt comfortable even expressing online. You can only take so many photos of yourself playing shows and post so many tweets about new music before it’s time to just do it. That’s what I decided I was gonna do a while ago. Put my head down and work and then one day, 3 years later, deliver something I worked as hard as I could on. It’s coming.
Mike:
Some of the greatest strengths of your work are your lyrics and your ability to convey wonderful imagery with stories and experiences that are relatable to many of us. Can you, briefly, take us through your songwriting process?
Ashley:
I’m really grateful that you believe that about my work. I always wanted to be a poet. I was raised on beautiful lyrics and poetry and I wanted so much to contribute in the same meaningful way that my predecessors did. I strived to create something that could heal somebody. To make them remember. And to make them forget.
I draw from real life. Things I’ve felt and seen.
Usually I’ll sit down with a feeling, and strum until the chords sound like I feel. And then I just start singing. Usually it happens quickly. Sometimes it feels like I write the songs, and sometimes it feels like the songs write me. I’m a prolific writer, though. You wouldn’t believe the size of my catalog now if I told you.
Sometimes I’ll have an idea and it will require a lot of coaxing. But sometimes, when the stars are right, the muse comes and kisses my lips and I’ll say precisely the thing I was trying to say, at the exact moment I was trying to say it. I live for that feeling.
Mike:
Finally, I had hoped to catch a show when I was through Nashville for the CMA’s last summer, but missed you. I know you are a semi-regular there and do shows in the Northeast. Is there any chance we might see you touring a little further away this year?
Ashley:
You know, when I was younger, I was very picky about playing the right venue for the right price. It was a simple concept of supply and demand I used that was working really well for me. When I moved to the south, Nashville beat that outta me pretty quick. Which is a great thing in my opinion. I’ve learned to love just sharing music. When you make even just one person laugh or cry or forget about their pain for a minute- that’s magic.
This winter, I flew back home and played a surprise free show at a busy bar room in Burlington, Vermont. I was sort of nervous about it because it was super last minute, and I found out I was following a huge anti- shopping mall gathering that had rallied there. Everyone was sort of in this anti-capitalistic, very angry mood. The whole place smelled like patchouli. Not a single person was smiling. But I guess authenticity is an easy sell. I was there because I wanted to make people feel alright for a little while, and that was exactly what happened.
Most of the room was still in serious chatter when I got on stage. A handful of people tuned in. And then, a few more. Not long after that the entire crowded bar room was silent. People had piled in around the stage, and sat cross-legged on the floor beneath me, listening to every word I sang. I told them my stories and my sorrows and my joys. I could see a few of them crying. I’ve played shows that paid me exponentially better, but I will never, ever forget that night. And I can’t imagine missing moments like that. I’ll sing wherever I can. I want to make people feel better.
More succinctly: Yes, I want to go everywhere with this guitar, and there’s a good chance it’ll be in new places soon.
Mike:
We thank Ashley for taking the time to share her time and thoughts with us, and we look forward to hearing more of her in 2017!
For more information about Ashley and her music:
www.ashleysofia.com
www.youtube.com/user/AshleySofia11/videos
twitter.com/Ashley_Sofia
www.facebook.com/ashleysofiamusic/
Interview conducted by Mike Ross
