Meet Singer Mason Ashley

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Writing well beyond her years, 18-year-old Mason Ashley puts pen to paper to masterfully craft lyrics that tell a timeless story. She designs a melody that captures raw emotion, and then sings with an enchanting voice that lulls the listener to another time and place. She is at the start of a blossoming career with a maturity of sound and emotion well beyond her years.Music has been in her blood since birth. Mason could hear a song on the radio, sit down at the upright piano inherited from her great, great grandparents, and begin to play the song she had just heard. She had an ear for music and could play nearly anything she picked up. After piano, came the guitar. Her grandfather was throwing away an old Conn, she saw it in the trash, and was mortified at the injustice of throwing away a piece of art. After rescuing it, she began to play, but something else happened. That old throw-away guitar thrust her into a whole new world of songwriting at the tender age of nine.

We had an opportunity to chat with Mason. Check the interview below.

You are 18-years old, but you seem to write out-of-time, creating masterfully crafted lyrics that are timeless. Is there a particular era of music that influence you?

I discovered Bob Dylan when I was thirteen years old and that changed the way I wrote music. I’m also very inspired by 50’s/60’s music and lyrics and there’s quite a few 80’s type sounds in my EP “Strangers” that I’m releasing this summer.

Paper Planes Music Video

[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qhk_lBt8PdE”]

You’ve had an ear for music, since the age of seven. You became a songwriter, at the age of nine. What did you write about?

The songs I wrote when I was nine were awful, but they were the best way I knew to get my emotions out (mostly about boys and friends). I love reading my old songs because they are so real. Most of them were basically rip-offs of Taylor Swift songs, but still . . . I wouldn’t trade them for anything because they shaped who I am and what I write now.

Was there a point in your life, you wondered if you were going in the right direction?

I think that in all careers there are definitely doubts. Everyone has those days where they wonder if they’re on the right path and I think I’ve stressed about that a few times over the years. But I am in love with music. When I write a new song or perform a show, it reminds me of how passionate I really am about the path I’m on. I can’t imagine ever doing anything else.

When you perform your songs, what emotions are you experiencing?

I have a habit of closing my eyes when I perform my songs. A friend mentioned that habit once and said that I would connect more to the audience if I opened them more. I appreciated the advice…but the reason I close my eyes often when I perform isn’t to calm nerves.. it’s because I get lost in my songs. When I sing a song I love, I FEEL it . . . and it takes me back in time to what I felt when I wrote it.

What do you want people to experience, when they listen to your music?

I want listeners to be able to relate to my music. When I hear a song or a lyric that I deeply relate to, it makes my stomach drop and gives me goosebumps . . . maybe that’s just me, but I hope that my music can have an impact on at least one person. If I can write just one line that makes just one person feel like they aren’t alone or like I understand what they’re feeling, that’s all I want.

Growing up, did you ever think you would be enjoying a career singing?

I always HOPED I would be enjoying a singing career but it definitely seemed like just a dream and not a reality. I don’t think the “real”ness set in until I heard myself on the radio for the first time a couple of summers ago. That was my life goal and the little kid me would have about died if she’d known that would happen for real.

Your lyrics are very compelling. What is the most important aspect of writing a song?

I’ve learned that the most important thing about songwriting is honesty. I used to try to hide my feelings when I wrote because I was scared to be too honest. I’ve learned that that’s what writing is for.. telling a story.

Apparently, you do not allow your age to dictate your writing capabilities. Your lyrics are timeless and ageless. What is the biggest misconception about being a young songwriter?

I think the biggest misconception is that young songwriters can’t write about anything deep or meaningful. Teenage years are some of the most complicated, tough, inspiring times in someone’s life . . . getting to document those times through song is a powerful thing that should be encouraged.

Is there a songwriter you would like to collaborate with?

I’d love to collaborate with Matt Healy from The 1975. It’s my favorite band and I love his unique writing style.

What is your most favorite experience in your career to date?

I got to do a live performance and interview with J-14 for Christmas and that was my absolute favorite magazine when I was younger. It was such an exciting thing for me.

List the 5 things you need in place to create a new song?