Q&A With Conrad Ashton
Conrad Ashton, UK Singer-songwriter opens up about his experiences during lockdown, his songwriting process, relationship with music and more. Ashton has just released his latest single 'The Longest Night', which is out now on all major digital platforms...
How have you found the pandemic situation? And lockdowns?
Covid is a very real thing and bad crack but these lockdowns have been so damaging to people's businesses, mental health and just general wellbeing. I think we certainly needed to lockdown in March (if not sooner) and stay in a hard lockdown for maybe 3 months plus. But based on the knowledge we now have on the virus - the 99% survival rate etc. (I could rant for ages) - I do feel it really is time to sack the masks off and all this distancing crap, get on with our lives and live with it as we do with things that are far worse than this.
Talk us through your recent releases - which track is your favourite?
It has to be 'Celebrate Life' - I was in a good place when I wrote that of optimism and hope and it was written and recorded before all this pandemic stuff hahaha
Do you have to be in a certain mood to write?
I have to feel inspired to get a line or hook in my mind. I can go weeks without writing but for me something has to happen in my mind and I need to be in a good place, which most of the time I'm not haha. I need to have a certain spring in my step to make something good!
How long have you been singing?
All my life I really just didn't get much good until I started taking lessons and practicing a lot more and singing along to stuff while listening intently to make sure my pitch was good.
What would your advice be to anyone wanting to start recording and releasing music?
Honestly go for it. You only pass this way once - do it now or you never will. It's the same for anything in life. Be it weight loss goals or asking your crush out - get the fuck on with it and don't look back. Take chances and live life and be the best you can be.
Do you think you’ll always be doing music?
No idea if I'll do it as I have done this year. In some capacity I'll always play guitar and I'll always write because it's what I do and I've done it for so long it's just ingrained in me to do so. If inspiration strikes, I'll write. I'm a bit sick with this year like - it's been shite not been able to gig and be out and about and that kills the creative vibe and I've put up with a lot from different people I've chosen to work with but I'll keep pushing on and see what happens in 2021.
How would you describe your sound?
Hopefully something that makes the people happy and resonates with them. I write about me and my experiences and my inspirations but I'm human too and just that alone can resonate with others.
What’s the toughest part of the industry for you?
All the bullshit. All the people who have their hands out wanting money - they know who they are! No one does nothing for ya for free to help and push you along a bit and that hurts when you sacrifice so much to try and be someone and get somewhere.
What’s the most enjoyable part of the industry?
The creative process - being in the studio and seeing a track grow that's beautiful. And I've worked with some decent folks from time to time...