Ashlinn Gray Embracing Her Truth: Interview  

Ashlinn knows how to make a feel-good tune. The singer and songwriter, blends her pop sound with an honest approach to songwriting which is authentic and relatable, much like her personality.  She injects the soft light of a beach sunset into her music.  

Ashlinn Gray is a left pop artist navigating her way between being in love and loving oneself. The South African born and raised, and now LA based singer-songwriter is a charismatic and unapologetic musician who explores owning ones power as well as vulnerability.

Her sound is a blend between that of Julia Michaels and Adele, enhanced by her whispy falsetto and powerful vocals.

Her latest release, ‘Tshirt’, produced by Abe Dertner, is a love-letter on long-distance relationships. The song follows the highly successful single ‘Best Friend.’ While ‘Best Friend’ explores the topic of self-love, Tshirt dives into romantic love.

Since moving to Los Angeles three years ago, the artist’s career has been thriving: songwriting for other artists like Talia Jackson, getting through to Hollywood week on American Idol and landing her first major sync for her song collaboration. ‘I’m Alive/Resurrection” with Luke Gawn on the latest Marc Wahlberg movie, ‘Infinite’.

Embracing both her successes and failures, Ashlinn Gray is vocal in her approach, speaking up for herself and those around her.

 “We are all trying to figure our shit out,” she says. “I’m here to own it. Embrace it. Communicate it. Speak to it.”

Ashlinn Gray began writing songs when she was only 16-years-old and released her self-titled debut EP.

Her debut single #Battleships made it to the iTunes top 40 and dominated the airwaves, charting on top radio stations across South Africa.

Her release of #NeedYourLove with Dr. Bone, produced by Sketchy Bongo, was part of a Coke Studios ZA Television Series.

This was followed by her pop single #Nineteen, which charted on 5FM and Jacaranda (two of South Africa’s largest national radio stations). The song also came fourth in the International Songwriting Competition.

Impulse Africa Magazine Team recently caught up with the rising star as she gears up to release more music in 2022.

•  Briefly tell us about your journey as a musician so far?

I started writing music at the age of 16-years-old and my first song ‘Battleships’ was released. After some success in South Africa.

I was given the opportunity to move to Los Angeles in 2018 and I have been singing and songwriting here in the US ever since.

• How would you describe your sound?

I like to think of my music and sound as left pop. Most of my music is just a little left of what we all know as pop.

I like to combine acoustic instruments like piano and guitar with interesting and quirky sounds and most importantly honest, relatable songwriting.

• How has the process of establishing your own core sound and style been?

I really started to fall in love with music in two very different genres, musical theater and alternative music.

I would say that’s where my subconscious sound comes from. When it comes to creating the songs I put out, I really just want to do the song justice.

Once a song has been written, I just want to create the perfect backdrop to that story or moment in time.

I really think your natural style will always come out when working with someone who understands you and your vibe.

I always tell my producers, “pop with something a bit more interesting that makes your ear intrigued”.

•    Where do you draw your inspiration from as a musician?

I love writing about what is on my mind and the situations I’m going through. I often write about the relationships I have in life and what it’s like growing up in this day and age.

When it comes to artists that inspire me the list is always growing, but right now I am loving Julia Michaels, Pink and Finneas.

• Your latest single Tshirt, what was the inspiration behind it?

When I wrote the song, I hadn’t seen my boyfriend for months because of COVID and the travel restrictions.

I wrote ‘Tshirt’ about that situation and how you run through all your memories of someone you miss and still hang onto that hope of seeing them soon, even though you have no idea when soon might be.

Sometimes wearing their Tshirt is the best way to feel close to them.

•    As an Independent artist what would you say is the most important lesson you have learned so far?

Nobody is going to work harder than you for your craft and they shouldn’t. You have to fight for it every day and can’t get tired. Your success ends with your effort. Never get too comfortable.

• Three things people do not know about Ashlinn Gray?

I love to thrift. Clothes, furniture- literally anything. It’s a hobby of mine.

I have lots of freckles in my eyes.

When I started singing, I was really bad. I’d equate myself to Singstar’s Tone Deaf. Haha.

•  What can your fans expect from you in 2022?

I’ve been really excited to release some more music, create more and also perform more around the US and hopefully SA too.

• What are you most grateful for right now?   

I am most grateful for my family and friends. They have supported me so much and I honestly don’t know what I’d do without them.