Ashley Elle
Incredible and powerful. That is what I thought the first time I heard “Heavy, Heavy, Heavy” by Ashley Elle.
Today is the last day for Mental Health Awareness Month and Ashley Elle offers an honest and relatable song.
It is not really hard for me to enjoy songs that talk about mental health. These are some of the best songs in my opinion. The more we talk about it, the better it gets. Ashley Elle is one of these artists who are actually making a difference in the world through her lyrics and music.
“Heavy, Heavy, Heavy” is vulnerable and beautiful. A song we all need to hear.
“Heavy, Heavy, Heavy” is out now !
Introduce yourself - what's your story?
I’m a 21 year old singer/songwriter from a small town in Wisconsin. I’ve been studying at Loyola Marymount University for the past three years. I grew up being fascinated by music and eventually gravitated to the piano and guitar. I would always write “little” songs but was too embarrassed to share them. When I was 16, my dad encouraged me to step in the studio and record something. From that moment on, I knew that creating music is what brings me the most joy. Since being in LA, I have met a handful of individuals that I have been writing and recording with. This past year I feel like I am finally starting to find my sound and am eager, but nervous to put out music.
"Heavy, Heavy, Heavy" is your new single - what's the inspiration behind this single?
I had the opportunity to study abroad this past fall in London. Although it was an amazing experience it was also hard being away from my family in a foreign country. I started writing “Heavy, Heavy, Heavy” the day I got home, reflecting on my experience. This song was written at a time when I felt so much pressure and responsibility trying to deal with growing up and the challenges we face.
Could you describe the songwriting/production process for this song? Who helped you create it? When did you start working on it?
In December of 2022, I came back to LA after studying abroad in London. I sat down in my bedroom and picked up my guitar for the first time since being gone and honestly just started messing around and singing random lyrics. The verses that you hear in this song are pretty much the exact lyrics I recorded in my first take on voice memos. I think that shows how real and raw this song is, I was honestly just singing from my heart. I then brought the verses and the part of the chorus I had to my friend and producer, Cazz Brindis. He is an amazing songwriter and we’ve worked together for a few years so I feel super comfortable being vulnerable around him. He helped me finish the chorus and write the bridge. We then worked on building out the track. This song came to life super fast and I am honestly very proud of it.
What did you feel when writing this song?
I think the vibe of this song is inspired by some of the stuff Gracie Abrams does. Artists like herself, Taylor Swift, and Lennon Stella, are songwriters I look up to. They all do a good job of painting a picture within the lyrics, and that is something I try to do. When writing this song, I was pretty much just reading lines from my journal. I hope this song helps those that may be struggling with their mental health, while shining a positive light on it.
What's your favorite lyric on this song?
Ooooh that's kind of hard! I think the second verse, “count the cracks in the ceiling, while I’m lucid dreaming, changing my appearance, until I like what I see” are my favorites. I think that is a relatable experience of not being able to fall asleep at night and fixating on all the “wrong” things in your life and the things you wish you could change. My mind definitely races a ton at night.
What made you want to release "Heavy, Heavy, Heavy" as a single?
I wanted to release “Heavy, Heavy, Heavy” as a single because I think the concept of this song is very dark and heavy, but the track behind the song is kind of upbeat and positive. I hope it shows that talking and singing about mental health doesn’t have to be as scary as we may think, because it is such a common experience for humans!
What can you tell us about the artwork?
I am blessed to have two talented brothers who help me create all of my cover art and lyric videos. I was home in Wisconsin for Easter break and decided to jump in Lake Michigan. I liked the idea of being half in the water which kind of shows being pulled in by the waves, which symbolize the pressures and hardships we go through in life.
What message do you want to deliver to anyone struggling with their mental health?
I would encourage people to talk about their feelings and struggles so that we can break the stigma that’s around mental health. Whether that’s to a friend, a loved one, or a trained professional. I agree that being vulnerable and asking for help is super hard at times, but I find that talking about my feelings helps me overcome them.
What are your thoughts on today's music industry? If you could change one thing, what would it be?
I’m very interested in today's music industry but also a bit intimidated by it. Especially the way it coexists with the internet and its abilities to rapidly share and ignite someone's career so quickly, relative to the more organic growth needed many years ago. But it can also be the thing that takes someone out of the industry. When you are a well-known singer/musician, you are naturally under the spotlight. It’s almost impossible to avoid. Everything exists online nowadays and it's hard to maintain one point of view. We have so many options and share so many opinions, making people's attention span very short and their taste narrow. I think if you figure out the right recipe you can truly speak to an audience in unique ways that wouldn’t be possible without our hyper connected world. If I could change one thing, I would somehow remove some of the barriers of entry that exist in order to get “put on the map” and maybe find more ways to maintain authenticity through growing popularity.
Why do you make music? What keeps you going?
I make music as a creative and emotional outlet. I find that sometimes I can express myself better in my songs than talking to others. For some reason, I don’t mind being super vulnerable in my music. I think it's because I hope that my music can help others who may be struggling with similar experiences. The process of writing, then building the track, then recording the song and then opening it up to others is so rewarding and special to me. I think that definitely keeps me going. At the end of the day, although I am creating music for others to hear, I am also creating it for myself: to conceptualize and understand my own feelings and emotions.
What does songwriting and singing make you feel?
When I feel super inspired and creative, the process of songwriting and singing makes me feel so happy and alive. However, I would be lying if I said that I am always happy and confident when doing so. Sometimes I sit down to sing or to write a song and feel super defeated and that “I’m not good enough” or that “my voice isn’t strong enough.” I know I am my own worst critic, so I try to get out of my head and just keep going. If anything, these negative emotions are what keeps me going and encourages me to get better.
What makes you happy?
My family, friends, nature and of course music. I am the youngest of five and am super close to all of my siblings. The older I get, the more I realize how grateful I am to have the family and life I have. Even little things, like the ocean or reading a good romance book make me happy day to day.
In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?
More love. I think if we all tried to spread love and positivity throughout our day, the impact could really go far. Something my dad has always taught me is to really thank those working around you, whether that's the person checking me out at the store or the FedEx guy handing me my package, etc. I think saying thank you and truly meaning it or even engaging in a conversation can really help make someone's day. In return, it also makes me feel good. So yeah, I think spreading more love throughout human interactions could help make the world a better place.
What biggest life lessons have you learned so far?
Something that I think about often is that “you can always find the good in the bad.” I really believe that things happen for a reason and that God has a plan for all of us. When something disappointing or upsetting happens, I try to think about the good that will come out of it: how it’s making me stronger. I feel like I collect life lessons frequently, but this is one I try to stand by!
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