Ashley Worhol – Listen to the Wind

By starrymag | January 13, 2021

By: Jennifer Vintzileos

 

 

Q) How would you best describe your sound?

A) I have always loved the peaceful sounds of nature. There’s just something about hearing the wind blow and sounds of animals nearby that has always calmed my soul. With this in mind, with my own music I wanted elements of nature to come through so I would best describe my sound as euphoric, healing and all-around relaxing.

 

Q) Tell us the story behind writing your current single “Listen to the Wind.”

A) This year we as a world went through something that was traumatic and eye opening. I, personally, struggle with anxiety and this year has triggered attacks almost daily. I have always used music as a way to calm my soul and heal so as a musician. I wanted to experiment and compose a song that could physically heal me during those attacks. Every time an attack would come on, I would sit at the piano and play notes, chords, melodies – anything to see if it physically made me feel better. Based on this technique I wrote, “Listen to the Wind.” My goal in mind was to help others who also struggle with anxiety or depression. I am a firm believer that music is the universal healer and by composing a song that might also help others is a blessing within itself.

 

Q) You also shot a video for “Listen to the Wind.” How did you develop the concept for the video?

A) I knew the moment I composed this song that I wanted a video to help show in art form what my personal anxiety looks like. I knew this experience would be dark, intense, emotional and all-around draining. I have always told myself as an artist that I wanted to be vulnerable and this video shows me completely vulnerable with all walls down. I knew I wanted to balance the video with the darkness that consumed my mind but also the beauty of nature which is my saving grace. I feel such a connection to nature and wanted to show, although we sometimes live in darkness, there is always light waiting for us, that light for me is one with the trees. When speaking with the director, Christopher Maggard with M5 Entertainment, he was able to portray the coldness and heaviness that I feel while doing such a beautiful job capturing what I feel like internally. His ideas along with mine brought this vision to life and for that I am forever grateful for him and the team who was right there with us. On set I even allowed myself to have an attack so the audience would be able to see the raw me, the me that not many people ever get to see.

 

Q) What do you hope fans take away from the song?

A) I hope people take away a sense of freedom, knowledge in knowing that they are not alone.

 

Q) “Listen to the Wind” seems to address issues such as anxiety, which is something that many of us have experienced during this pandemic. In what ways did writing this song and music help you to cope during this time?

A) Writing music has always been my escape and writing, “Listen to the Wind” is one of the only reasons I was able to cope during the pandemic. There were many days when I would have an attack. I would play my song on repeat and close my eyes and imagine myself somewhere in a forest. That escape grounded me and brought me back from each attack.

 

Q) With this new single, is this part of a potential new album?

A) Worhol, the symphonic rock group that I am the singer of will have a TON of new music coming out in 2021! The band’s style is euphoric as well but heavier. I have a range of composition styles and “Listen to the Wind” was something I wanted to share on my own, especially with it being tied to anxiety. This track was extremely personal. I actually enjoy composing instrumentals and pieces that make an individual feel like they are in a different world, a fantasy world to be exact. Next year it is safe to say you will be seeing music both from the band and myself!

 

Q) Originally from Houston, Texas, how did your upbringing and the local music culture in Texas help you develop your sound?

A) Since I was a child I was surrounded by music because my father was a musician himself. I grew up hearing him play the piano and there were many days and nights when I would hide under his grand piano and just sit there listening to him play. He is one of the main reasons I was able to chase my dream of being a musician and for that I am forever grateful. When we started the band, he and I both combined were able to blend his classic rock style and my symphonic style. We knew we wanted our music to tell a story and the majority of our songs are piano based which goes deep within my childhood roots. My dad is still old school. He still hand writes all the orchestration to our songs. Both our classical backgrounds helped develop the music we write together today.

 

Q) Your father, Larry Worhol, also had a hand in your music education and as a musician himself is part of your band Worhol. What was the best advice he gave you when you decided to pursue a career in music and what is it like getting to work with your father?

A) Ironically, I graduated from the same university my father did and because I attended the same university is one of the reasons that we were able to write music together because I was so close to home. When we first started the band one of the major things that he would tell me over and over was that you only get one shot to impress. This meant do things right, dress the part, be humble and (most importantly) be professional. We were focused on taking our time and making sure everything was incredibly professional looking. That advice he gave me I have taken to heart in everything I do, especially with our music career. I absolutely love working with my father! To be able to chase and share a dream that has been both of ours for so long is something that we will bond over for life.

 

Q) As live performances are currently on hold, have you thought about maybe doing more virtual shows for your fans?

A) We have tried extremely hard this year to figure out ways that we can still connect with our fans. I, personally, love human connection. So, this year not being able to be around people really put me in a dark depression. We did a few personal intimate virtual shows this year and are still trying to figure out our plans for next year. Luckily, we do have concerts booked next year starting in May, so fingers crossed that they are allowed! All we want is to be able to get back up on that stage and share an experience with everyone.

 

Q) What do you miss most about performing live?

A) I miss the connection, the smiles, that feeling where no matter what you are going through in life, at that very moment everyone is sharing an escape together. It’s almost as if time had stopped. I miss being able to hug people and reach out to them from the stage and look people in the eyes so that they know they are seen. Sometimes in life, being seen is what matters most. And of course, I miss performing!!

 

Q) You also have quite a few credits working in film and this year you and your father released a short film which you were both in and contributed an arrangement of “Amazing Grace.” Please tell us a little more about that project and any upcoming film/composing projects you are working on.

A) “Amazing Grace” has been a project that both my father and I have been working on for the past five years and after meeting the perfect team we knew it was the right time to film it! My father had this beautiful story written and we knew it was a message that could relate to anyone, especially in the times we were currently facing this year. I played the role of Sarah who was a lost girl heading down the path of destruction and ultimately ended up finding herself again through music and through the grace of ending up on the right steps at the right time by Father Lawerence, who was played by my father. This short film was also filmed by director Christopher Maggard and we have won over fifteen awards both nationally and internationally. Two specific awards were, “Best Acting Duo” and “Best Original Score.” When I heard my father’s arrangement of “Amazing Grace” I knew it would be something we would be remembered by. Currently, I am scoring a horror film called, On Location directed by Jeff Seemann. Just wait until this film comes out. It’s a bloody masterpiece! This is the statement that Seemann made, “When we filmed On Location, I thought it was the thrill of my life. And as I look at it again through the editing process, I realize just how amazing it was. Every single performance is exactly what I hoped it would be and it was truly magical to be around a cast and crew that cared so deeply about this project. It’s a love letter to horror films and horror film fans and I know the final version will showcase that love.” Later in the year I will also be working again with director Christopher Maggard with an incredible film. This is the statement that Maggard made for his upcoming film, “We are currently raising funds for our next feature film Daughter, slated to shoot in September 2021 with Ashley having a role in the film, which is a very strong and powerful film about the horrific sex trafficking ring in the United States. This film is based and inspired by actual events that evolved a father and the love for his daughter.” Let’s just say, next year will be a HUGE year!

 

Q) Which albums and/or artists would you consider your Top 5 for changing the way you thought about music?

A) Oh boy! I can only choose five?! This is an extremely hard choice because I listened to such a wide variety of music! Here is my list in no particular order!

1) Evanescence

2) Thirty Seconds to Mars

3) Linkin Park

4) Anilah

5) Ruelle

 

Q) What would you like to say to your fans and supporters of your music?

A) I would love to share just how much they mean to me! At the end of the day, I wouldn’t be able to do what I love most if it wasn’t for their support. This year the whole world went through the exact same thing and I want those individuals to know that they are not alone and that they are in my constant thoughts and prayers. As we close this year, may we all step into a better year. A year of abundance in many ways and a year of union where we can be together again.