Asher Monroe – Windows of Time

By starrymag | November 29, 2022

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) It’s evolved so much over the years that I don’t particularly pigeon-hold myself into one genre. I’ve done R&B, Rock, Electronic, Hip Hop and Orchestral Pop. I think I will stay in the Rock/Pop (Singer/Songwriter) feel moving forward.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Freddie Mercury and The Beatles

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

A) There’s no one particular way I write. I’ve done camps where there are multiple people in one room. Sometimes I write over beats/ instrumentals and other times I have lyrics that I add music to. The process I enjoy most these days is just me and myself on the piano.

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

A) Great question. Well, there’s the Executive Producer side where I’m very hands-on with hiring the talent and making sure the studio, engineer and right equipment are prepped. But there’s also the musical production side where I guess I take the MJ approach. I don’t play every instrument on the records, but I sing and hum the parts along with the people who are crafting the sound.

 

Q) Your album Windows of Time came out this past Summer. What are some of your favorite songs off this LP that still hold a special place in your heart?

A) That’s a tough question as each song was carefully chosen and not one was put on as an album filler. “Midnight Masquerade,” “Try Me,” “A Rose Amidst the Thorns” and “Story of a Bird” are probably my top favorites as they each hold a very special place in my heart.

 

Q) Where did the idea come from to create an XR (Extended reality live concert)?

A) I saw a few Major artists tap into the technology when it was first coming onto the scene like Katy Perry or Halsey. This sparked an early interest. But It wasn’t until I saw Eddy De Pretto (a french singer/rapper’s) virtual take on his song “Desole Caroline” that I was truly inspired to create my own vision for a new show using this technology.

 

Q) How involved were you with this concept from start to finish? 

A) Very Involved. I had directed a number of my most recent music videos, so I felt I had enough experience under my belt to take it a step further. It ended up being a huge undertaking. I had to scour the internet and find graphic artists who specialized in Unreal engine (a video game development tool by Epic Games that came out in 1988 – the year I was born) to give you an example – Fortnite was created with this software. I wasn’t aware at the time, but basically, I was creating my own video game that I could perform in. I chose four songs off the album and envisioned the type of environments that would visually be cohesive with each song but also tell a story where I could intertwine each. After several months of storyboard and conceptual final renders I then had to find a studio to bring it all to life. I chose XRstudios.Live, which is in my opinion the premiere LA production team who really knows their stuff regarding anything related to XR.

 

Q) What kind of feedback have you been receiving to the XR experience?

A) I’ve been getting really positive feedback regarding the few chapters I’ve teased. We are about halfway into the show as there will be two more additional chapters to still be released. As much as everyone has been blown away by the visuals. The biggest question I seem to get is explaining what XR actually is and how everything was made. I think more of the public due to social media want to know more about the process and behind the scenes than the actual finished product. Since I was in front of the camera and controlling what was happening behind the scenes, I love sharing the process and inspiring other like-minded artists.

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

A) I’ve been fortunate enough to get to perform all across the country in some of the best venues, but anytime I get to travel abroad for shows is an absolute bonus like I did in London, Sweden, Croatia or the Philippines. My zeal for traveling and performing go hand in hand. I always try to take away something positive from each experience.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) Probably Elton John, Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran or Lady Gaga. I know two of the four. I’d just need a little more time to finesses. In this business, it’s all about timing.

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

A) I’m really into the classics these days – going through every generation. But my current favorites on repeat might be:

The Beatles – Abbey Road, Stevie Wonder – Songs in the Key of Life, and Revamp – Reimagining the songs of Elton John and Bernie Taupin.

Some songs speak to my head, and others speak to my soul.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

A) Back in the day, people’s idols were distant and mystique…. now they are a DM away. In the same way I love to connect with my fans, I think the same way they like the accessibility of connecting with me. Social Media is a vital role in bridging that gap.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) I would like to thank anyone who has supported me from the beginning.

I can’t thank you enough from the bottom of my heart for sticking with me on this rollercoaster ride of life and for anyone who is just getting to know me… Buckle up because we are just getting started! ❤