A special conversation on quarantine and songwriting – Part two
In our last artist talk, we spoke with singer/songwriter Jessica Paige about her recent projects and her song The Inside that was inspired by quarantine.
Today we direct our eyes to Perth, Australia, where lovely Asher Rose has produced a whole series of isolation songs, namely “Overgrown”, “The push I need” and “The war unseen”, which she all produced herself.
One of our current favorites is Asher´s song “Overgrown”, which you can listen to here:
Congratulations Asher on your series of isolation songs that you wrote, produced and released on Youtube throughout the month of March. Tell us, what´s the core message in your song and how did they come about?
When I wrote Overgrown I never really had an intentional message. For me it was more an outlet of emotion; likening undealt with thoughts to an unkept garden was my way of expressing the hurt that seems to bleed in those silent moments of aloneness….. sounds pretty sad now that I write it out 😂
Asher, how do you go about the songwriting process? How do you get started when writing a song?
It’s always topsy turvey writing songs with me because it always changes…Overgrown started as a poem inspired by a photo I had thought up of in my head for an Instagram shoot. But some of my songs are drawn out with a tune already made beforehand. It really all depends but a lot of them start as poetry I write when I feel a strong emotion of any sort.
In “Overgrown” the lyrics say: “My memories play like a record getting stuck” and then later “…like a record spinning round”. This probably resonates with lots of people, as quarantine keeps us from running away from ourselves and our thoughts. What was the original meaning behind these lyrics?
Just as you said actually they are a metaphor of not being able to runaway from yourself as well as showing it’s repetitive, something that almost haunts you. I wanted it to sound like your sad thoughts were like a bad tune stuck in your head.
How did quarantine effect your songwriting/production habits in general?
Quarantine for me was actually pretty good. I was very much in need of a break from working and it really helped me start a platform for my music! Even in the hard times it caused a lot of productivity and new material to write, even if my circumstances got a-little overwhelming after a month of being stuck inside my home. I had so much time to do the things I’ve always wanted to do.
And for that I’m grateful!
What´s your favorite genre to perform in and what´s your favorite genre to listen to?
Jazz and Reggae would have to be the main genres in which I perform in, I love those styles dearly and listen to them a lot along with a lot of psychedelic rock.
How did you learn to self-produce your songs? What would you recommend to anyone getting started from scratch!
I have been using garage band on my iPhone for like 4 years now and I find it the easiest way to put down a song with decent sound quality quickly with only my headphone mic…. I know abit dodgy But I definitely recommend you try it out.
Wow! Would have never thought your songs were recorded with a headphone mic! They sound awesome! So you are living proof that blaming things on a lack of fancy equipment is just an excuse! Who are some of your personal songwriting idols ? What do you love about their music?
Some personal song writing idols of mine…and bare with me, it’ll be a mixed bunch… would be Kate Bush, Jimmy Gnecco, Hiatus Kaiyote, Sade and soo many more, but they are all so original in their styles and are some artists I´ve had that pivotal wow experience hearing a song for the first time.
What makes a good song?
Talent.
then of course the life experiences. No song without the vulnerability of the heart really connects others to your work!
Well said! What makes a song too shallow and boring in your opinion?
When the song is only made for money
…..It shows
What is something to avoid when writing songs?
I actually don’t really know what to avoid when writing songs… I guess don’t avoid anything, that would be my advice…Use your songs as your way to write out all the things you have never said. My songs are really my opposite reflection in many ways because they are the things I try to avoid thinking about ;). If I wrote a song about it, it means I finally faced the problem. Just always make them an outlet. That’s my advice anyways.
Thanks so much for the interview you both and best of success with your future projects!
To follow Asher and Jessica, please find the links below
Asher Rose:
Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWEzigMTw8Oul_w7gyM9BVQ
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asher_rose_/
If you like our content, please follos us on Instagram
Also please subscribe to our super cool newsletter, if you do not want to miss a thing in the future! 😉
