ASHS – Don’t Call Me

By starrymag | August 2, 2020

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) I would describe my sound as dark pop, with honest and uncomfortable lyrics.

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) I grew up listening to every genre, but always felt incredibly connected to Eminem, P!nk, Avril and Escape the Fate. I remember sitting in my room pulling apart CD booklets studying lyrics. As a kid being raised in an unconventional situation, lyrics focused on isolation and resentment always really resonated with me.

Q) Over the last few years you have been honing your craft. How has your music evolved?

A) I think the only thing that’s changed over the last few years was my ability to be completely honest. I used to think I needed to be a beacon of light for people, but now I’ve realized that sometimes people just need to know they aren’t alone.

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Don’t Call Me.” What challenges did you face when writing this track?

A) This track was pretty effortless to write. It just kind of came out, like subconscious word vomit.

Q)  What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

A) I think everyone can agree that people tend to want what they can’t have. This song is about being taken for granted and being strong enough not to give in to that “I miss you” phone call six months after a breakup.

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

A) The video was just meant to be a fun reclaiming of power. I wanted it to be a hybrid of Scream and The Purge. I’m obsessed with true crime so it was fun to finally get to be the bad guy.

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

A) I generally like to know what the production is going to be before I write or at least have an idea of what I want out of the song. I feel like it’s important when writing to be able to envision the end result. Once I know what I’m looking for, I just spend a little time on the piano writing (melodies and lyrics usually come at the same time for me), and if the song is meant to be, not long after, we’ve got all the parts!

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

A) I am by no means a producer, but I have very specific tastes when it comes to my music. Luckily, the people I work with are very open to making sure the music we create reflects who I am as an artist. It’s always nice when you are creatively on the same page as your collaborators.

Q) How do you shake off a long day in the studio?

A) I like to decompress by doing stuff that has nothing to do with music. I usually go for really long walks through a trail and just enjoy the quiet or I play Xbox with friends. Having a job like this, it’s important for me to have some degree of separation between passion and work. People used to tell me, “You’ll never make it unless you live, breathe, eat and sleep music.” I don’t think that’s true. At the end of the day, we’re all just people doing our jobs and I try to live a well-rounded life.

Q) Will there be a full album or EP coming in the near future?

A) I think right now the industry is moving too fast for a full-length album. EPs are a definite possibility, but right now I’m just focused on creating. If there are songs I love, but I don’t think they are right for radio, an EP makes sense.

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

A) I have a long list of dream collaborators. Clean Bandit have always been high on that list. I think the music they make is very beautiful. I also think Julia Michaels is an incredible songwriter and I would love to get in the room with her and see her process.

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

A) I’m currently listening to my favorite emo pop bands from the 2000s. It’s making me so nostalgic, it’s crazy. Lately it’s been a lot of My Chemical Romance, Taking Back Sunday, Cute Is What We Aim For and Red Jumpsuit Apparatus.

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

A) Social media is a double-edged sword. I hate it. I hate the negativity of it. I hate that it glorifies vanity. I hate that it gives people unlimited accessibility to me. But at the same time, it connects me directly to the people who are supporting me and coming to shows and listening to my music. For all the stuff I don’t like about it, it’s worth having it because it allows me to get to know people better and I wouldn’t be able to have that opportunity any other way.

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

A) Thank you, from the bottom of my soul. I’ve been making music for what feels like my entire life and that music is an expression of my true inner thoughts and feelings. Thank you for supporting me. Thank you for understanding and thank you for being my friend.