Rising Music Star Ashley Paul On The Five Things You Need To Shine In The Music Industry
An Interview With Elana Cohen
Be positive, negative thoughts are draining and create taxing energy. Stay away from those who don’t support your vision. It is not your job to convince someone of your capabilities. Leave them behind ,life is too short to waste any of it. Believe you can make this happen. Its only a matter of time. Always be you. That is a special role you play and no one can ever take that away.
As a part of our interview series with leaders, stars, and rising stars in the music industry, we had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Ashley Paul.
Ashley Paul is an electrifying force in the world of dance-pop. As a successful singer-songwriter and performer, she is known for her powerful pop vocals, fearless performances and imaginative and boundless musical creativity. With a passion for contemporary pop/dance music, she has been captivating audiences worldwide, re-imagining the nostalgic sounds of the late 80s with heavy dance remixes and rhythmic new school pop.
Her recent hits include “Come and Get Me”, co-written with Gemini (Justin Bieber, Post Malone) and Jackie’s Boy (Madonna, Lil Ways, Flo Rida), which reached the Top 10 in the UK, Germany, Switzerland and France. She also reached #2 on the Swiss Dance Chart Top 100 with the remix of her 1987 dance single “When Boys Cry.
“Feel Your Fire”, co-written with Grammy-Award Winning Producer Damon Sharpe (Ariana Grande, J-Lo), has been making waves on the charts as well: The song hit #7 on Music Week UK , Gaydio Radio, and was in the Top 5 in Germany and Switzerland for 10 consecutive weeks and in France for 4 weeks. The song also gained huge radio support worldwide and was in the New Year’s Eve countdown on German national radio at #15. Her cover of “Yo No Se” is was also in the Top 10 UK charts in February 2023.
Ashely Paul’s latest single “Love Light Me Up” is shooting up the charts as well: #7 on Music Week Commercial Pop Club Charts and #6 on Music Week Upfront Dance Charts as well as currently being played on Kiss National Radio and Gaydio in the UK. Ashley wrote this song with Gemini and Jeff Franzel, Alex Forbes (Taylor Dayne , don’t rush me). It was an idea Ashley came up with to mix old school orchestra sound (Tom Jones, Its so unusual) with current House music which she coined as “ Big Band House” style. It is currently being prepped for German and Swiss release along with a fresh lyric video.
Currently on tour performing her music all over the world, Ashley just opened for Natalie Umbruglia in the UK at Lee stock Festival, as well as La Bouche in Peru and Freestyle artists Shannon and Corina in Key West . Igniting her passion for music by learning how to play the piano by ear, at a mere age of 5, Ashley Paul later delved into the world of musical theater. Fueled by influences ranging from Donna Summer to Melissa Manchester, Olivia Newton-John Dusty Springfield and Carole King, she got her first record deal at 12 years old and landed her first hit with the single “Dear Santa Claus” only a year later .
In 1987, Ashley Paul’s popular single “When Boys Cry” reached number 36 on the Billboard Charts. Three years later, she followed this monster track up with the single, “Color Me Yours.” This era was a rocket ride of selling records internationally and jet setting around the world.
Ashley Paul’s talent goes far beyond her powerful pop vocals. Parallel to her career as a music artist, she studied jazz, classical vocals, tap and acting with the teacher from the NYC Met opera, Henry Le Tang (Sophisticated Ladies), the Hines brothers (Vop) and even did a show working closely with the Tommy Tune who taught her how to do tap wings, she remembers lovingly. Later on, she showcased her versatility as an all-around performer in a variety of plays, musicals, and cabarets and displayed her acting skills in major studio and indie films — earning acclaim, accruing fans, and nabbing favorable reviews along the way. During this time, she enjoyed performance highlights at the Kennedy Center and off Broadway, the Carlyle Hotel and NYC Cabaret, Restaurant Row.
As a singer and songwriter, Ashley Paul is known for her distinctive style of effortlessly uniting genres and blending nostalgic tones of the late 80s with dynamic dance remixes and infectious rhythms of contemporary pop to create a sound that is uniquely her own. A self -taught songwriter fusing her poetry with short melodies she hears inside her mind, her lyrics delve deep into the power of love, self-expression, destiny and passion, inspiring audiences all over the world. Currently Ashley is in the studio working on co -writes with Ritchie Neville of the UK boys band, Five’, Famed freestyle artist Corina and one dream co- write track with her idol Melissa Manchester called Whisper Surrender. These are all due for release in 2024.
Ashley Paul continues to push musical boundaries and delivering electrifying energy — her latest single “Love Light Me Up” stands as a testament to that. This powerful song brings listeners a message dear to her heart: “I love this song not only for its sound and style, but also for its profound meaning. Love lights everything and everyone up and this is the message I want to put out into this world”.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to learn a bit about your “origin story”. Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
Hi!
Thank you so much for having me. Well, I grew up in a very creative space. In my house, everyone had an ambition early on and we were all lovingly pushed to thrive and reach high with no thoughts of limitation. Special gifts were taken seriously. My parents knew that being a part of music, stage, piano, and vocal performance, was all I wanted to do with my life and how dedicated I was. They did everything they could to nurture this. At age 7, I landed my first role in a touring show across the southeast where I began singing disco. Weekends with my family growing up were all about my musical theater and cabaret shows and after school I went straight to lessons and training. My wonderful parents divided and conquered as my baby brother was training for his aspirations to be a ranked tennis player. My dad took my brother to his lessons and matches while my mom was with me on auditions, casting calls and recording studios. Working from a young age, I had my first record deal at 13 from Sandcastle Records on a song called Santa clause dear Santa clause. That was also my very first radio interview tour. I would often cash my paychecks at the bank with another older actor and go straight to a store to buy my mom a small gift. My mother was so kind she would always stash savings away for the subway or bus rides so I would never miss a casting even when they were short on money for that month. When I landed a job, she and I always went to a coffee shop in midtown Manhattan to celebrate called Hicks, where we would sit at the counter and share a grilled cheese with a chocolate shake .. always with whipped cream on top. I had a lot of love and a sky is the limit kind of ideology from them, and that we never give up. Every day is another chance to change anything. We laughed a lot in my house and always got excited for each other’s triumphs. I was taught never to be envious of others. However, as a teen I was never allowed to go to parties or sleepovers. After a show, I had to come home and go to sleep. They were also a bit strict with me. The love and creative exploration outweighed everything that was challenging at times. I was taught to value the inside of a person and to see their heart, and I have so much gratitude, empathy for others and self -structure as an adult, because of the way they raised me.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
I knew from the age of 7, I wanted to be a disco music singer. Donna summer was my inspiration. After I landed the role in a touring show in the southeast, i sang her songs and was dressed up in disco fever attire. Red satin disco pants and all!! Prior to that, I had started as a pianist at age 5, playing light classical and doing competitions, but I really loved performance on stage the most!! My piano teacher was not happy with me as I played by ear and did not love the structure of following the music sheets. I often heard music notes in my head and wrote short rhymes in the middle of the night ( I still do this ). Disco music performance vehicles for younger females were not easy to find in that time. I went into musical theater for many years landing a lot of solid principal roles at the Kennedy Center and Off-Broadway, but was just not satisfied. At 17, I was discovered by Joel Diamond, a multi-platinum producer who saw me singing at a cabaret and offered me the opportunity to record “When boys cry,’” written by Victoria Shaw and Peggy Stanziale. I always say after that it was like a blur, a blur to the billboard charts, one of the greatest moments in my life was when I broke out onto the Billboard for the first time. I am s self taught song writer. i did take note theory in college. However, I did not learn formally. I write rhymes and poems and paired them with notes and small melodies I hear in my head. I am always seeking out new and original ways to create through my music. I feel my life’s work is to make dance pop music and sprinkle that Ashley Paul pixie dust of uplifting positivity all over.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
I think one of my recent song inspirations is somewhat unique experience for me. I wrote a song in lock down called “Come and Get me”. It was about love in lock down. Nothing like this has ever happened in our lifetime, and for this reason I felt my song in parallel with history, in an entertaining sort of way. I am excited to have taken part in capturing a small, light perspective and peek into a moment in time we shared collectively. The story starts off with a scene of two characters who are attracted to one each other physically through connective energy. They hear one another, but never meet. They see one another so closely, lust for each other, but never touch. They wonder if the other is really just a hologram…a fiction inside their mind due to the need for creating a reason to feel alive inside. Imagination, or reality. Will they ever date? Touch? Stay tuned. My message was that fantasy can keep you going during dark times, visualization and all. I then layered the story with a dance track I worked on with my producer Gemini. We used minor notes and added instruments and sounds that made it very much about intrigue, synonymous to a double 007 theme song!! We were on our way. What stood out the most to me at first was the feeling of being flirtatious .. as a cat and mouse chase style repertoire. We were all bound to our spaces with no date of exit, thus the desire could grow exponentially. The female character proclaims to her crush , “he/she ‘come and get me.’.il be waiting here , until you come and get me , till you come and get me…. Bright lights the night has begun to show..love is a tightrope don’t wanna fold, some chase and some rather let it go, but when do you know? I know, I don't wanna give it up, cause the music got me feeling your touch, ,il be lost inside the sound of love…. N il be waiting here, till you come and get me, till you come and get me.. “
It has been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
Once I had a concert overseas. My opening number was planned to be the” Devastating Dub Mix of When Boys Cry.. that’s a longer version. I was assured by the promoter I would be supplied with dancers for the stage. Otherwise, I would have chosen the shorter remix. I trusted them and did not prepare a backup choreography. I went on stage and began to sing. The song kept going and I was caught up in the euphoria of my connection to the audience. Suddenly the vocal part stopped and I looked behind me, no dancers. i had no plan for this part of the music and I fought hard not to break through my imaginary wall. I somehow chose instantly to go from one side of the stage to the other and vocally scat into the microphone to my instrumentals. I made it work and learned a good lesson. Always be prepared for anything on stage, People forget things and the show must go on ..always be ready to make it look as if it was planned. You are there to entertain, Its never a perfect nor is it a mathematical equation…as long as you keep doing your job well, no one is going to notice..
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
When I decided to remix my billboard hit, I had met a highly creative and brilliant music industry strategist and executive Jason Dauman of Dauman Music. He convinced me to look in the mirror and push myself hard to return 100 percent all in, to the dance music scene I was so in sync with most of my career. I knew in my heart that my ”disco diva destiny had not yet been completely fulfilled, and I had messages of zeal, I wanted to communicate in disco beats to the world.., I had been writing and performing somewhat melancholy songs that mirrored parts of my struggles from my past, While these songs are heartfelt, my inner light was somewhat dim when I would perform them. They were not my” special sauce”.. they did not light me up inside. After connecting with Mr. Dauman, I was reminded of my many colors inside…bold golds, silver, soft satin blues, bright pinks and purple, the sounds of crystals falling from the sky visuals and themes, of what my music stood for, love, destiny and passion and it was then I began again my life’s purpose and have not stopped writing recording and performing this music, meant to inspire inner joy, since late 2020. Mr. Dauman has definitely inspired my journey.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“NEVER GIVE UP”. This is a life-learned lesson worked on daily. If you can believe it, you can build the life you choose and not what chooses you. Nothing is too far over the rainbow, it's all within our reach. We just need to focus in and block out the noise of distraction. Once you give up there is no more hope. It is very relevant to me, as I have had moments where I wanted to give up that day from sadness, grief, fear or past trauma. I was once on tour in the UK and not making much money. I was having amazing shows and co-writes yet I found myself out of money, was hungry and went to sleep with a growling belly.. it is a common complexity in the music business. I had no one to ask as I had already “depended on the kindness of so many strangers “ I had the most spectacular gig that night and felt elated, and I had assumed they were paying me as the Booker had eluded to that.. or providing snacks after the show, it wasn’t so, I had not planned well. I even asked the roadie if he had any crackers and he pointed me to the Chinese restaurant. I fell asleep hungry but also wrapped in a glorious spiritual blanket from my performance high. The next day I woke up feeling a bit disillusioned and became self-critical. I felt I was done and I could not live with the uncertainty anymore. Then I thought about my mother's gift of teaching me to never give up. Nothing in life is guaranteed but still, we move forward. she would say to me. I might as well move ahead doing what is my passion and life’s work. I now feel that if you trust, all will be OK, It is not easy, but that is truly how goodness surpasses the challenges ..when I’m hungry, sometimes I’m offered food, when I’m thirsty sometimes bottled water appears, it is no joke, the universe can provide if we trust and keep giving love to one another. Especially when we learn to trust and have faith in ourselves.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
Oh wow, my favorite question!! I’m working on a few co-writes at the moment. One is with Ritchie Neville from Five ‘boys band in the UK. It’s called Bingo Baby. it’s an R n B style Dance track, something I have yet to work on. this has been exciting!!! They are both very different types of dance songs. When u sit down to write a song, you really never know what direction it will take. It is a bit sexy, pushing the envelope. The other song is called Shine and speaks to being able to actually taste that feeling when you fall in love..i woke up in the middle of the night and said I can see it “Raining Rubies. That is a vision I had and used for parts of my lyrics. I have no rubies, but I used shiny sparkly jewels as a symbol here. The phrase just rolled off my tongue.
I have also been touring in South America and the UK the past few months I love performing all over the world, meeting new audiences with different kinds of reactions and excitement to the music I bring. I just returned from Lima Peru where I recently opened for 20 Fingers and La Bouche in concert. The fans in Peru are so warm and kind, it was an amazing trip. I opened for Natalie Umbruglia this summer at Lee stock festival in the UK, that was so exciting for me. Also it was for a wonderful charity raising money for Leukemia and lymphoma, something I am in touch with as that is how I so tragically and suddenly lost my mom 8 years ago. I had young girls even ,who were fans of some of my songs come up to me after my performance ..it was heartwarming.. I am also on a freestyle dance music tour currently opening for Shannon and Corina in Key west and NY over this summer and in Mexico City in October.
The song just released a few months ago “love light me up” was a new style of music for me as well. I had an idea of the need to bridge old orchestra style grandiose instrumentals with current house and EDM music. It was just an idea I had and my amazing co-writer and Producer Gemini completely understood me. We worked together to create this concept I came up with called ,”Big Band House, style dance track, I named it. Behind the linear melody and even before the lyrics., there is magic and its called the dance track. This kind of music is multi layered… when we finished I said to him this track makes me feel ‘illuminated inside. illuminate me, I said. Thus, became love light me up ,illuminate me. A bright light inside that fills your heart up w love.
I have a new single coming out next month called Ribbons. I am starting now to work on various types of remixes of this track as well. I wrote this song with Damon Sharpe. We just recorded. Its so interesting because we started to share story ideas, as we wrote together in the studio in Los Angeles, I had this thought about a film I adore called Hello Dolly. One of my favorite musical theater songs is. Ribbons down my back…well I have always been inspired by that song. However, it’s a very proper 1800s ladies hat shop so I took pretty ribbons down my back, and wrapped myself up in them instead, diva disco style. I used the ideology of ribbons in beautiful color, but in a more provocative way. I’m wondering what Ms. Irene Malloy would think if she heard it. Or better yet if Rodgers and Hammerstein knew I was inspired by that song and story to write a flirtatious disco song. I had a vision of Ms. Irene Malloy being far less proper secretly in her hat shop. My mind goes to some very wild places when I’m writing a song and its story. I keep all that creativity to my vocals, music scores and stage. This how I play out my own fantasies. I’m really just a creative music nerd at heart.
We are very interested in diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers about why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in music, film, and television? How can that potentially affect our culture?
The first is so obvious to me. We must be authentic in the entertainment industry,we are here to inspire and show courage, beauty ,intrigue, intellectual and spiritual curiosity and love through our art. How can we pretend and not be the real representation of our society? We are all brothers and sisters/cousins who happen to be wearing different wigs and costumes and makeup during our time together on earth …life’s stage.
So many artists dream of having their music heard or scripts read, paintings looked at, etc,, everyone needs to see someone or something they can identify with already “on stage “or on the “radio “or in a TV show .otherwise …they feel isolated.
It's a privilege to be up there, on the entertainment stage, in any medium. It must be used only for good and to bring the world together,not to alienate ..only inclusion. I feel that the less we represent reality, the less people will be interested. That can lead to a lonely society of isolated behavior, people need people to light them up, to lean on and no one should feel alone or eat alone. No pretense.
If we cannot show up for others in a real way ..why should they show up for us. Some people will feel hurt, others will simply turn away. Art is intended for so many wonderful things, none of them are to insult or cause friction. We want to continue a society of endless creativity through a collective circle.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?
- Your trajectory is going to take longer than you think, so pack light ,this is a metaphor . I often felt,I needed each step to be the final phase,,to put me at my highest level, and that sort of thought would lead to a feeling of self -doubt…however ,each song or gig is part of a greater journey, you are learning along the way. Embrace all of it!!!!
- There is no age requirement to begin or to end your ability to thrive in your industry,do not listen to negative ideologies. No one tells you this. However, you know your own capabilities… When I was recently beginning back on tour in the dance music biz, I met with a publicist, who said I was too old and no one would book me. I did not listen, i politely smiled and never called her again, oh and did I tell you, I am doing nicely with bookings.
- Try and budget as best you can.. I was fortunate having good parents during the younger part of my career, but well meaning as they were ..never explained to me how it all really worked financially.. I have once in a while, found myself as an adult singer songwriter and performer, out of funds ..been hungry on a tour ,and sold possessions, for extra dollars… I am not ashamed to say I am a survivor and sacrifice a lot for my art. I can make it all work, in my own way. I have met so many kind people along my journey. However, a little bit of financial knowledge goes a long way.
- Be able to do everything yourself, even if you can get help… While we are artists first ,we also are small business owners. No one will stand up for you, like you will when you advocate for yourself. No one will tell you this I learned on the job during a record release ,and many shows recently, where I was asked for items and felt a bit under prepped ..i made it happen somehow, I paused and then figured it out and hope no one noticed … !!! always know the importance of being able to ,find your own music files ,create a Dropbox ,design a banner for your socials, have all your tracks on MP3 ready to give the sound engineer for a gig. Be able to make up your own merch, Write your own Bio, Wire money properly . Negotiate sometimes with a vendor, if they try to change something already agreed to.. its OK to call them out. Know how to ask for proper levels at soundcheck before a show as well as in your headphones in the studio and do not be shy!!! No one taught me any of this, I learned on the job.
- You can do this on your own. No one ever told me this. I heard a lot growing up about needing a partner to support me. I don’t believe this is true. I have found that I thrive extremely high when I am by myself, on a personal level. I am stronger and smarter than ever. This is due to my independence as an artist. I am also sensitive and an empathic ,and I am basically a music nerd at heart. I take in others energy if someone is unkind and I’m living with them ,I cannot write or perform at the highest level I am able to..i cannot reach my highest vibration. I am my own bestie. I wish I had known this to be so when I was young..not to desire a partner, and this is more than OK.
Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?
One tip for being successful I believe is to do something every day towards your goal . It helps you feel positive during downtime and also keeps you moving forward.. if you do not have a show or your not writing with a partner, or have a job that day .Then read a book or watch a story about something or someone inspirational to your business. Post a pretty picture or am inspirational quote, make plans with a contact for coffee, send emails and thank you notes to those who have helped you or worked with you recently, read your trade magazines,, organize your wardrobe closet in prep of next show or gig or interview, steam your voice,, stretch your body for relaxation.. write some buzz words down for new songs even if it’s a writer’s block kind of day you can go back to it later and I promise it will grow!!!
Every day even in between the gigs and the studio I always find and plan time to do one thing at least to keep moving forward. I write it down and then cross it off.
Try to live healthy . I am a vocalist and a visual performer. I can’t go out and buy a new voice. Its not a guitar, lol. So singers, songwriters and performers please ,,don’t drink, don’t smoke ,don’t party and get enough sleep. This will give you longevity and keep your immune system in good shape..i am not perfect..i have a bit of a whipped Cream addiction,, both Starbucks and reddi whip. However I only have it in my coffee in the am once a day.
Never say no to a gig because you don’t think its grand enough. Every job ,every song you write is important and part of your story,, always be on you game and don’t take too many breaks!! Keep that energy up!!!! Think out of the box, never follow the trend. Be your own marketing strategist, study your industry past and present ..
Pray or meditate to center yourself, its essential to calm and empty your mind, so you can refuel it with the next set of fabulous ideas you are about to have!! I speak to a higher power. I thank them for all my blessings and let them know I am ready to receive the opportunities that are meant for me.
Be positive, negative thoughts are draining and create taxing energy. Stay away from those who don’t support your vision. It is not your job to convince someone of your capabilities. Leave them behind ,life is too short to waste any of it. Believe you can make this happen. Its only a matter of time. Always be you. That is a special role you play and no one can ever take that away.
Lastly,
Give back to someone who needs you. Find a children’ grade school or after-school club and offer to teach or host a class for young performers. it is the most gratifying job you’ll ever have. I’ve done it many times in my life and career and I hold it so dear to my heart. It will elevate you and shift your perspective ..from I can’t to I will and I do …children are magic on earth ..no matter where they are.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
Well it sounds simplistic, however, its really from my heart, “Say something Nice”, I would encourage everyone to find a few moments each day to ‘say something nice’ to someone else. Lets’ inspire our world to be sweeter, kinder more complimentary of one another, instead of tearing each other down. I love to say something nice to a stranger, its often results in me finding a new connection. Words are powerful and they can be great motivators ..Even if you are in a book store or a Starbucks and you tell a stranger ,you like their scarf or you think their smile is pretty or wow that was funny, anything you authentically feel in your heart.
You might change someone’s whole day from sad to happy. Lets try this once a day from the heart. It will catch on fire and soon more and more people will “say something nice” to someone else. it feels so good to give warmth to others in this manner of communication
Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)
Yes, I would be over the moon to have a private lunch or coffee with Oprah!! She is the ultimate and embodies every aspect of what is talent, grace, female empowerment and overall greatness.. her accomplishments are so inspiring to me and millions of others of course ..i would love to be able to ask her more questions about her rise to the top ..where she draws her strength from and the amazingness of never wavering in her ability to stay on top..
How can our readers follow you online?
Instagram — @official_ashley_paul
Facebook — Ashley Paul Musician
Spotify — Ashley Paul / Come and Get Me
Official
This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!