Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Byble.
Hi Ashley, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey has always felt like someone walking in the gray area between the lines. I have been overly empathetic with a justice complex since I was in elementary school. It did not take long to learn that, without trying, I challenge people. The hard lesson there is: people do not like to be challenged. Writing has always been a way to express myself, to see people in a new light, and to make sense of a world that seems determined to maintain chaos. Last fall, I discovered a way to put my poetry and song lyrics into demos despite being what the church called, “more of a joyful noise kind of singer.” That has never stopped me on a road trip, but putting that out on the internet is another beast entirely.
When that first song came off the page and through a good set of headphones, I cried. Not because the song was some masterpiece, although it is still a favorite, but because for the first time my journey came to life in a way I could share. I began going through my notes app, old journals, and reformatting, rewriting, and analyzing every aspect of the melody and instrumentation. As a late-diagnosed, “gifted and talented,” theater and choir kid, I need to be able to “see” the colors and shapes of the melody. The rhythm and pacing needs to set the mood of the song just as much as a well written lyric. That’s where the difficulty comes in with using technology to build out the songs. As advanced as it gets, there’s no energetic exchange and “vibe” established with a machine. Still, lacking in the musical talent means the software does the heavy lifting. I shape and mold the rest based on the lyrics I have written. It is an integrated frame to the artwork, if you will. In the time since I started, we lost my father-in-law unexpectedly, and several long time friends and family members have walked away from the relationship. Additionally, the years of damage from church hurt and subsequent separation, and recognition of pain from people and things near and dear to me calling for the same separation, has been my own descent in to the depths and less than glamorous climb back out. My catalog of songs certainly reflects that journey.
I have since started work on a novel, and began doing voice work for socials until I get the courage to apply for roles. There are a few projects I have done for friends and family, but nothing in the world of voice work that is on the market just yet. Finding my voice has been it’s own journey, and music is the center of that.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has been bumpy and confusing at best. Nashville is an absolutely amazing place to live as a music lover. With artists coming in for small shows and television recordings, there is always a place to go and immerse a busy mind in the healing energies of live music. The artists here have spent their lives honing their craft, and often live on a shoestring budget just to make rent. Being a writer who has to rely on technology that is threatening their very livelihood does not exactly translate into invitations into writers rooms. I do not have the same shared experience of the starving artist, and do not have irrefutable evidence that my ideas and knowledge for the musical aspects of a song are worth inviting to the table. I use social media to share my work, but the for you pages are so saturated with fabrications that sussing out who wrote their piece themselves is nearly impossible. Additionally, the debate around the use of technology in music is a heated one. Many artists and musicians are forced to draw a hard line, although some Nashville song-writing icons have encouraged me greatly in using it to create demos. Since the goal is not to become an AI artist, I do not charge for my music. I use a distributor to get it out on streaming, but that is a fine line as well. If people listen to my songs, are they missing an indie artist’s music they played themselves? If so, is that hurting music as a whole? These are the questions I struggle with daily, but have always made it clear to everyone that I never want them to pay to listen to mine. Save the money for the shows of independent artists and their merch. I certainly need those shows to be my “therapy” as often as budget and motherhood allows. The other challenge in building a digital catalog verses having a group of people to meet and write with is, the world is able to critique and condemn without listening to a word or note. The idea that it is not live music is an immediate “no” from a large population of people. Where it hurts most for myself and other creators I work with, is that those that know us offline are usually the harshest naysayers. The support given, either financially or via visibility, given does not equate to reciprocal support like it does when working together in person. It should be that way, keep the human interaction as the foundation for creation. However, finding a path to work with people in person is a delicate balance of confidence and reverence.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I want to specialize in writing lyrics. I enjoy acting, voice work, and writing fiction. However, my heart is in the world of lyrics. My speciality is taking a situation that seems tangled and confusing, and giving it some clarity and depth. After spending over twenty years in community mental health and casework, I have seen people at their best and worst. I am most proud of the songs I wrote that helped those I love process emotions they had put on a shelf. Those moments are worth more than any recognition a songwriter can receive. My own experience with this sort of moment can be seen in the song, “Can’t Be Your Friend.” It is often assumed it is due to the actions of the other person, but it is working through the fear of putting myself out there. Honestly, most of the lyrics I write are a raw depiction of my own story. Giving that much information out there to the world is not the typical approach to write something that is about reaching people. My call to action songs in a variety of genres handle that. Additionally, my work is set apart by an openness to new ideas, and a willingness to admit that I am still figuring this thing out. My taste is rather eclectic, and rarely sticks to a single genre. It is an adventure all it’s own to learn what genre best expresses the emotion and the story being told.
The idea of being the one who does not take either path, but rather forges a new one down the middle is both a strength and a struggle. There are very few things I draw a hard line, and declare that I know this is the right way. When nothing else is clear about me, people understand that I have no patience for malice or hate. Advocating for those who cannot do so themselves has always been a top priority for me. Noticing those that are behind the scenes, and the struggle behind the smile of the person on stage is the perspective I bring to the table. My stories and lyrics look beyond the spotlight, and look for the human experience behind it. Another aspect that sits squarely on the line of struggle and strength is my adamant refusal to dumb down the language. There’s a song I wrote purely based on the idea of being an “Icarus.” Another song was written because the phrase, “anechoic chamber” tickled my brain. Putting my writing into the hands of most editors, human or artificial, almost always results in the request to remove wording or poetry that is not tailored to reach a larger audience. Perhaps that is the summary of my work as a whole, it is not for everyone. Those that embrace it, however, seem to do so on a soul level.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I have learned not to depend on approval before moving forward. Regardless of methodology, the standard rule for writers is to understand that the amount of work one done before being taken seriously is a hefty load. So, there is no sense in waiting to create and get started. Learning to motivate myself without external validation was painful, but it has resulted in some of my best work. Taking a chance, and “saying the thing” is a privilege I have been given. Not everyone is in a position to call out injustice, speak on deep and painful emotions, and to create something for public consumption. Life has given me that privilege, and learning that not wasting it is the only way to honor those without it is a journey of courage I am still navigating.
Pricing:
- $50-100 Small business ad
- Rates negotiable for personalized songs.
- Currently seeking opportunities to collaborate on music and voice work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/byblestudios
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleybyblelyrics/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/14oHG3LX6H2/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@byblestudios/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCG36fOBsWhOE65rtzEJxWfw
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4EClyvmOIXIcD3CF0B21OH
