- Words Notion Staff
- Photo Credit Deanie Chen
Pop artist and trailblazer Ashley Kutcher takes us through her musical firsts, from listening to Avril Lavigne to getting a guitar logo tattoo.
Coming off the back of a headline tour, and her newly released single “Everyone And No One”, 2023 is already looking to be a busy one for Ashley Kutcher. Pulling on the heartstrings of many with her compelling storytelling skills, on her latest single, Ashley captivates her listeners with raw lyricism about relationship struggles. Forever proving herself to be an artist that her fans can relate to, the singer-songwriter continues to build an honest connection between her music and her fans.
Throughout the last two years, Ashley has organically grown her audience with each emotionally captivating release. Not one to hide behind her lyrics, the singer-songwriter continues to wear her heart on her sleeve as she tackles themes of mental health, relationships and more. Compiling a transparent discography highlighting her own struggles, accomplishments and realisations, she shares the good, the bad and the ugly.
With sold-out show after sold-out show, it’s clear that Ashley’s music is striking a chord. Following the success of her 2022 sophomore EP, ‘Survive My Own Mind’ the singer-songwriter is ready to make 2023 another year of great releases, memorable live shows and more.
Taking a moment to reflect on the past, Ashley takes us through some of her most memorable musical firsts – from the first CD she ever bought, to the first time she felt starstruck.
First song you ever made?
I really didn’t start writing full songs until college. But a few years ago, I did find an old note page with a song I wrote when I was in elementary school. I think I started writing when I was young but never fully put a song together until college.
First song you released officially?
The first song I ever released was called “Leave Me Lonely”. It was the first song I wrote that I listened back to and thought ‘this doesn’t totally suck’. I’ve learned a lot since this song but it’s still a special one to me.
First CD or record you owned?
I remember always listening to the Avril Lavigne CD at my grandparent’s house. I think I memorised every lyric on the album ‘Let Go’.
First time you realised you wanted to be an artist?
I always knew I wanted music in my life. I was going to write and play my whole life no matter what. I’ve always been an artist and a creative person. The only difference now is that I’ve been given the opportunity to make music into a career and I’m so grateful for that.
First gig you went to?
I’ve been going to live gigs since I was so young because my family were always super into music. I can’t remember my first actual gig but it was probably a local show. The first concert I remember seeing was Bruno Mars. Then my first big stadium concert was Demi Lovato in middle school.
First time you faced an obstacle in your career?
My original plan was to be a nurse and play music on the side whenever I could. I didn’t expect to have the opportunity to pursue music as a career. After gaining traction online from my original music, I had to decide if I wanted to take a chance on myself and really give music a try. It was an intimidating decision to make, but I ended up picking music and I am so happy I did.
First instrument you owned?
My first ever guitar was a kid Yamaha guitar. Then, when I was 16, I got my first real guitar that I picked out and it was a Seagull. I learned how to really play on that and performed my first show with it. I had to sell it to afford another one, so I got the logo tattooed on my arm.
First time you felt like giving up?
The first time I felt like giving up was when I experienced a lot of anxiety and panic attacks when I was younger. Anxiety made me feel like I had to give up because I couldn’t handle anything. I started to avoid things and really changed the way I lived my life because of the anxiety I had. I have since changed my mindset to believe that I can handle anything I put my mind to and I no longer need to change the way I live my life. I’ve worked very hard towards being able to do that, even when it’s not comfortable.
First time you felt starstruck?
Seeing Demi Lovato in concert when I was in middle school. I remember all my friends sitting down and enjoying the show and I was standing up in tears. I was so drawn to her performance and I think it’s because I wanted to do what she was doing so badly.
First time you ticked off a bucket list goal?
Just recently actually – I travelled the country in a van for my first headline tour and that was always a big goal of mine. I plan to travel to many more places on my bucket list in the future.