Morgan Ashley: '2 Minutes Away' (Exclusive Interview)
When did you first realize your ability to sing?
I first realized my love for singing when I was two years old. My mom, of course, realized how captivated I was by music at an early age but when I was four years old she decided to put me in voice lessons. I started singing before I could read and I would memorize the lyrics and melody by listening to my favorite songs over and over again. I quickly realized how happy singing made me and how easily it came to me. From then on I never stopped!
What is your music and message all about?
My music and message are all about creating a space where my listeners feel safe and understood. I want my listeners to connect to my music and myself as an artist and know that I am right there with them. I want them to find comfort, happiness, understanding, and overall space to be themselves when they listen to my music!
How would you describe your vocal style?
I would describe my vocal style as soulful country mixed with a bit of pop. While I have a natural country twang to my voice and lean towards that genre most often, I feel as if I have a natural soulfulness to my voice. I feel that my eclectic taste in music has really influenced that as well. Some of my greatest influences include Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, The Chicks, Patsy Cline, Stevie Wonder, and many many others. I strive to focus on being a soulful country artist while also never putting myself in a box to allow for future ventures into different genres as well!
What was the hardest part of making this song?
The hardest part of making this song was honestly putting my emotions into words. The most intimidating part of songwriting to me is being vulnerable but I always want to be my authentic self when it comes to my music. I really had to focus and be open to putting how I was feeling at that time on a page and then turn it into a full song. My voice teacher Jamie Hart was also a huge help throughout the writing process of this song and helping realize what I wanted to say and how I wanted to say it.
What was the most enjoyable part of making this song?
The most enjoyable part of making this song was sitting down with Roy and his team via zoom and figuring out the arrangement! I loved hearing their input and how they internalized the song when playing it. It really brought the song back to life for me and every time I got the email with the updated tracks it felt like Christmas morning and I couldn’t stop listening to it!
What is one feeling you want to leave listeners with?
I want the listeners to feel understood when they listen to this song. Not only is it a great song to bump in the car when driving with all the windows down but it’s a heartfelt message to those you love who you aren’t with at the moment or have grown apart from. This song can be interpreted in so many different ways and that’s what I wanted when writing it. I didn’t want the listener to feel like they were listening to my experiences. I wanted them to feel how universal the experience is and how normal it is to miss those that you are apart from in whatever way that may be.
How do you prepare for your live performances?
When preparing for live performances my primary concern is making sure my voice is in tip-top shape. I always make sure to drink a bunch of water and I always have throat coat tea and honey on hand for days when my voice needs some extra TLC. I then make sure I know when I need to be at the venue and what I need to bring. I always have my own mic and cable with me just in case they don’t have one or a mic isn’t working. Then I go over all the songs and lyrics and make sure to do a thorough warm-up, warming up all parts of my range. My favorite warm-up is doing my typical warm-ups through a straw! Straw phonation has proven to be an incredibly powerful warm-up and even helps prep for notes that are at the top of your range. Then it’s time to get ready and pump me up for the performance!
