Ashley Jordan – Still Hear Him Talking

By starrymag | September 23, 2020

By: Robert Warren

 

 

Q) What has the fan response been to “Still Hear Him Talking?”

 

A) So far, I’ve gotten a really great response to this song. I’ve had people contact me who wanted to share their stories and tell me about what they had been going through and how the song personally impacted them. I love to relate to fans on that level. I also heard from a fan who wanted me to know that the song had brought him healing/strength and that it was now his “go-to” song to sing at the top of his lungs.

 

Q) What emotions were you feeling while recording this track?

 

A) It was a very emotional song to record. I recall standing in the recording booth, needing to calm myself and go into my own zone to channel both the sadness and the breakthrough and glory I had felt when I wrote this song.

 

Q) What can you tease about the upcoming music video?

 

A) This first video for “Still Hear Him Talking” is a behind-the-scenes view – and the teaser is that you’ll get to see some incredible musicians that performed on my record at Sound Stage Studio in Nashville.

 

Q) Your songs have earned you many well-deserved awards over the years, how does your songwriting process work?

 

A) It’s never the same – it changes all the time based on whether I have the melody first or the lyrics first. I always have lyrics written down in various stages and I carry a notebook around with me and write down ideas. So, if I have the lyrics first, then I start playing around with melodies to match up with the words and emotion I want to convey. If I have the melody first, I usually play around with it for some time and have to figure out how to match a feeling to that particular melody to start the writing process. It never seems like it’s the same process! Sometimes I write a song in a day – sometimes it takes months or even years to finalize. I just finished a song the other day that has literally been bouncing around for over a decade!

 

Q) What/who inspired you to become a singer?

 

A) My paternal Grandpa “Buck Jordan” was a folk/country singer/guitarist and songwriter. I was very connected to him but sadly lost him when I was very young. I always feel his spirit with me though and feel like he has a great deal to do with my love for music and my eventual career path. I also have a long-time friend of the family who inspired me with songwriting and guitar playing (Pete Messina) when I was in elementary school and then in my early teens I met an incredible musician (John Gerard) who became a mentor and inspired me to become a street-performer and to perfect my performance and songwriting skills.

 

Q) Who were your favorite artists growing up?

 

A) James Taylor, Garth Brooks, Taylor Swift, Lori McKenna, Josh Ritter, Randy Montana, Grace Potter and so many more.

 

Q) What album/artist are you currently digging at the moment?

 

A) At this moment it would have to be Taylor Swift’s new album Folklore and Randy Montana’s album called Put Me in a Box.

 

Q) You’ve supported many household names and performed for large audiences, is there any particular gig that holds special memories?

 

A) The show that still remains at the top of my list was when I had the honor of performing at the Hatch Shell in Boston for over 40,000 people as part of MixFest. I won a radio competition and got to open the show for Christina Perri, Phillip Phillips, Jason Mraz, O.A.R. and Magic! I had a great time with the crowd and it’s seared into my memory forever because of the audience reaction. I also have loved having the opportunity to support artists I admire such as Garth Brooks, Trace Adkins, Charlie Daniels, Jimmie Allen and Eric Paslay.

 

Q) You have an upcoming album in the works, what can fans expect from this?

 

A) Expect something different! I am happy to call my music “Outlaw Country” because I feel like some of my songs are blurring the edges of what it means to be called “country” music.

 

Q) Do you have a particular favorite song from the new album that you can tell us about, or is it a secret?

 

A) It’s hard to choose a favorite song because I like them all for different reasons. I don’t want to give anything away, but one of my favorites begins with a preacher talking…

 

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from your music?

 

A) I hope they want to listen more – or to listen again. I feel like good music often requires someone to listen over and over again to get the nuances and to find their own connection. If the listener can connect to one of my songs – and then want to listen to it repeatedly – I feel like I’ve achieved my goal.

 

Q) What advice would you give to aspiring country artists?

 

A) I would say to be authentic and to set yourself apart. If you work hard and are true to who you are, then that’s half the battle. I’ve seen so many artists trying to be someone that they’re not and it’s an uphill battle. The expectations of the industry are tough enough – so be authentic!

 

 

Watch The Video for “Still Hear Him Talking”