Ashaine White brings the musicality back into singing with her subtle and effective nuances of jazz and Neo-soul. Inspired by the likes of Jeff Buckley, Lianne La Havas and D’angelo, she defines herself as a Grunge-Soul artist, taking the fundamental approaches to jazz singing and adding her unique refreshing spin. I had the pleasure to catch up with her, to discuss her music, current projects and future plans.
Thank you for agreeing to catch up with Occhi Magazine. Firstly, for readers who are unfamiliar with you and your work, what drew you in the industry?
I am a creative and driven individual with a passion for inspiring and sharing the gift of music.
From the age of 10 years old, I have always wanted to sing to people and found solace in performing and doing something I love.
The music industry was the only place I felt I could be my most authentic self, I could be outspoken and passionate in my own way. I was always an extroverted child who loved being around and connecting with people and as I grew and became more aware of how music allows people to do exactly that – I never looked back.
You’ve described yourself as a “grunge-soul” artist, taking the fundamental approaches to jazz singing whilst adding a spin. One concludes there are several influences on your fused style, but which artist has been most influential on your career to date, and why?
I can’t say just one artist has been most influential to my career so far, there’s been so many! Artists like Nina Simone, Donny Hathaway, Lianne La Havas, D’Angelo and Nirvana have had a huge influence on the way I view and create music today.
They have taught me that alongside the incredible talent musically, that they all possess, they possess the capacity to tell stories from their personal perspectives and create soundscapes that are unique and authentic to them. Ultimately creating timeless music.
How do you nurture your creativity, particularly song writing or choose material?
I always have the mission of telling the stories of life in my music. whether it be my own story or someone else’s. Music truly is a language that everyone understands and I aim to use the tool of music to its full purpose.
I write in two ways, in the studio with a producer, or on my own with my guitar. Both put me in a place of being able to express myself at my most free. I also really enjoy collaborative writing, it really opens up the song to a different set of ears and eyes while ensuring that the message of the song is strong enough to communicate a story.
Musicians historically have been placed in particular genres. It’s fair to say, as a UK black artist you’ve voiced your opinion on how this may impact a musician’s development and enjoyment of their artistry. Are audience expectations changing and do you think artistic exploration is a particular challenge for young musicians?
I do think audience expectations are slowly changing. I think people are ready to see people that look like them doing music that means something to them. I think the industry still has some catching up to do when it comes to placing black artists in boxes and categorising them to ‘urban’ genres. Music is black history in every genre and black artists should have the freedom to play and move between every genre.
You started 2020 supporting Etta Bond before the pandemic took hold. Despite the upheaval, did you find this period to be a creative solace and time to hone in on song writing and other aspects of your work?
The pandemic was super hard for me. When gigs and venues were paused, I felt like a part of me was missing. Singing to people is such a key part of my expression and it was a shock. I spent a lot of time thinking that I had to use the lockdowns to better myself, but actually ended up putting too much pressure on what I thought I needed to achieve after the break. So, I decided to try to return to what made me enjoy being an artist, why I find solace in performing and doing something I love. I wrote some of my most honest songs after that realisation, most what will make up my next project.
Is there a particular experience that has either shaped or changed your perspective on the industry. If so, what was the lesson learned?
I’ve learnt that as long as you make music that feels like you, for you, others will love it too.
Please tell us more about your project ‘Fairy tale’ and what we can expect.
My newest project “Fairytales” was released in October 2021. It’s a project that explores the themes of loss, love, and self-expression. Produced by The Garden, it’s really an amalgamation of my influences from different genres and really showcases who I am
They can expect me to go deeper, sweeter, louder, touching emotions, attitudes, opinion and beliefs, moving to a high level of creativity offering musical nourishment for the mind, body and grunge-souls. Only the best will do for my audiences who I love so much and I can’ t stop thanking them for all their love back. I will also be starting a FFT (Fans Face Time) slot giving my fans opportunity to probe and ask questions while getting exclusive information once a week.
This March you performed in Love Music Hate Racism- Rebel Music Tour. Please tell us more about the initiative and scheduled performance.
Yes! Love music hate racism is an organisation, challenging racism in the music industry and beyond from helping to change the curriculums in schools to platforming artists and putting on amazing shows.
I was excited to join the incredible line up, with the house band to play a few of my tunes at Rich Mix!
What other projects are in the pipeline?
My next project in the pipeline will be my next EP. I have no name as yet and would love your readers to suggest titles for the new EP? I’m currently gigging in and around London using my time to create, generate fresh inspirational ideas to vibes up my writing for my next EP project.
I am always open to new collaborations be it writing or performances.
Where can readers find out more about you?
Photos by Monika S Jakubowska (main) and Tatiana Gorilovsky
Ashaine White will be performing tonight, alongside Amahla & Scotch Bonnet Bby, at The Camden Assembly, 49 Chalk Farm Road, London NW1 8AN. Doors open at 7pm until 11pm. Click on the link for details! Ashaine also performs at Pizza Express Live, London April 12th.
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