Ashe (singer) explained

Ashe
Birth Name:Ashlyn Rae Willson
Birth Date:24 April 1993
Birth Place:San Jose, California
Occupation:Singer-songwriter
Years Active:2015–present
Associated Acts:Finneas O'Connell, Niall Horan

Ashlyn Rae Willson (born April 24, 1993),[1] [2] better known by the mononym Ashe, is an American singer-songwriter. She is best known for her 2019 single "Moral of the Story", which was featured in the Netflix film (2020) and was produced by Noah Conrad with additional production from Finneas O'Connell.[3] [4] Ashe also co-wrote Demi Lovato's 2017 single "You Don't Do It for Me Anymore" and has toured with Louis the Child, Lauv and Whethan. She was nominated for a Juno Award for her gold-certified single "Let You Get Away" with Shaun Frank. Her debut studio album Ashlyn was released on May 7, 2021. Her second album, Rae, was released on October 15, 2022. Her third album, Willson, is set to be released on September 6, 2024.

Early life

Ashlyn Rae Willson was born on April 24, 1993, in San Jose, California.[5] She began attending piano and vocal lessons at the age of 8. Ashe says that she grew up listening only to Christian radio and that she thanks her grandfather for introducing her to music from names like Bob Dylan, The Beatles and Jefferson Airplane.[6] She put an e on her stage name to pay homage to Carole King. She attended Berklee College of Music and graduated with a major in contemporary writing and production in 2015.[7] [8]

Career

2015–2017: Early career

Ashe started out by singing demos in Nashville before catching the attention of Swedish deep house producer Ben Phipps, who asked her to sing on his track "Sleep Alone" in 2015. Over the next two years, Ashe specialized in appearing on a number of dance and house tracks from names like Louis the Child and Whethan. Her 2016 single "Can't Hide" with Whethan was her fifth No. 2 on both the US and Global Spotify Viral 50 charts.[9] Her 2017 single "Let You Get Away" with Canadian DJ Shaun Frank was nominated for Dance Recording of the Year at the 2017 Juno Awards and was certified gold in Canada in 2019.[10] Ashe assisted Demi Lovato in composing their 2017 single "You Don't Do It For Me Any More" from their US platinum-certified album Tell Me You Love Me (2017).[11] Between October 2017 and January 2018, Ashe embarked on tours with Louis the Child, Lauv and Whethan.[12] After signing to Mom + Pop independent label,[13] she released her debut single "Used to It" in June 2017 and "Girl Who Cried Wolf" in November 2017.[14] "Used to It" was her second single to reach No. 1 on the Global Spotify Viral 50 chart.[9] Ashe was placed alongside Billie Eilish and Lewis Capaldi on Vevo's list of Artists to Watch in 2018.[15] Throughout April 2017, Ashe supported The Chainsmokers during their Memories Do Not Open Tour and performed onstage with Big Gigantic during Coachella Festival 2017.[16] [17]

2018–2020: The Rabbit Hole & Moral of the Story EPs

By the time Ashe had released her debut EP, The Rabbit Hole, in June 2018, she had clocked over 200 million accumulative streams and nine No. 1 songs on Hype Machine.[18] The EP was described as "a versatile and compelling seven-track affair."[19] Ashe supported Quinn XCII on his From Michigan with Love World Tour, during which she also released her single "Moral of the Story".[20]

On April 5, 2019, Ashe released the four-track EP, Moral of the Story: Chapter 1, which Finneas O'Connell entirely produced.[21] O'Connell also produced three of the four tracks on her sequel EP, Moral of the Story: Chapter 2.

In February 2020, the single "Moral of the Story" was used in the Netflix teen rom-com (2020), which caused the song to reach number 2 on both Global and US Spotify Viral 50 chart.[9] Ashe made her debut chart appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Moral of the Story" and the Billboard 200 with Moral of the Story: Chapter 1. Ashe also released a duet of "Moral of the Story" featuring Niall Horan.[22] [23] As of June 2020, the single has been used in over 901,400 videos on the online platform TikTok.[24] As of September 2022, her collaboration with Niall Horan had reached over 160 million streams on Spotify.[25]

2021: Ashlyn

In March 2021, Ashe released another song with O'Connell titled "Till Forever Falls Apart". Her debut album Ashlyn was released on May 7, 2021, including the songs "I'm Fine" and "When I'm Older" issued prior to the album, along with "Me Without You", released on May 5. Ashlyn debuted at number 194 on the Billboard 200 dated May 22, 2021.

2022–present: Rae & Willson

On March 3, 2022, Ashe released the single "Another Man's Jeans" after releasing snippets of the song on social media. Ashe released another single, "Hope You're Not Happy" on May 6, 2022.

She returned to her "home", the San Francisco Bay Area, to perform exclusively at Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival on August 6.

On March 6, she performed at the Twin Peaks stage at 3:45 pm. She sang songs including "Angry Woman", "Shower With My Clothes on" and "Another Man's Jeans", which would appear on her forthcoming album Rae, released two months later. During her set she also sang "Somebody To Love" by Queen.

Soon after, Ashe announced her second studio album, Rae, on June 22, 2022, the same day that she released the song "Angry Woman". The album was released on October 14, 2022.[26]

Before the release of the album, Ashe released three more of its songs: "Shower with My Clothes On" on July 29, "Emotional" on August 26, and "OMW", along with its music video on October 12, 2022.

On November 4, 2022 she released a single with Stephen Sanchez, titled "Missing You".

Throughout 2023, she was scheduled to embark on her Fun While It Lasted Tour. However, the tour was canceled on February 1, 2023, citing she no longer felt "mentally healthy or resilient enough to go back on tour yet" and forced herself to take a break for her mental health.[27] On June 21, 2024, she gave her first live performance in over a year when she performed "Moral of the Story" with Niall Horan during his Saratoga Springs show on his tour, .[28]

On June 27, 2024, she announced her third album, and first independent album, titled "Willson", releasing on September 6, 2024. The lead single from the album, "Running Out of Time", was released on June 28, 2024.[29]

Artistry

Ashe says that jazz music, Diane Keaton, and Carole King are major influences and inspirations to her own music.[30] Ashe put an "e" on her stagename to pay homage to Carole King. Artists she admires are Stevie Nicks, Carole King, John Mayer, Justin Vernon and Bon Iver.[31]

Discography

Studio albums

TitleDetailsPeak chart positions
US
[32]
US
Heat.

[33]
US
Alt.
[34]
US
Indie

[35]
Ashlyn 194 2 18 31
Rae
  • Released: October 14, 2022
  • Label: Mom+Pop
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
6
Willson
  • Released: September 6, 2024
  • Label: Independent
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
To be released

Extended plays

TitleDetailsPeak chart positions
US
US
Heat.

US
Alt.
US
Indie

CAN
[36]
The Rabbit Hole
  • Released: June 22, 2018
  • Label: Mom+Pop
Moral of the Story: Chapter 1
  • Released: April 5, 2019
  • Label: Mom+Pop
157 2 10 19 72
Moral of the Story: Chapter 2
  • Released: August 9, 2019
  • Label: Mom+Pop
"—" denotes releases that did not chart, or charted on a subchart.

Singles

As lead artist

TitleYearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
US
[37]
AUS
[38]
AUT
[39]
CAN
FRA
[40]
IRE
[41]
NZ
Hot

[42]
NOR
[43]
SWI
[44]
UK
[45]
"Used to It"2017rowspan="2"
"Girl Who Cried Wolf"
"Choirs"2018The Rabbit Hole
"Moral of the Story"
201971 44 29 42 71 17 5 35 30 31 Moral of the Story: Chapter 1 and Ashlyn
"Bachelorette"Moral of the Story: Chapter 1
"In Disguise"Moral of the Story: Chapter 2
"Cold in California"
"Monday"
"Save Myself"2020Ashlyn
"The Same"2021rowspan="2"
"Real Love"
"Till Forever Falls Apart"
75 27
  • RIAA: Gold
  • BPI: Gold
Ashlyn
"I'm Fine"
"When I'm Older"
"Me Without You"
"Another Man's Jeans"2022 Rae
"Hope You're Not Happy"
"Angry Woman"
"Shower With My Clothes On"
"Emotional"
"omw"
"Running Out of Time"2024Willson
"I Wanna Love You (But I Don't)"
"I hope you die first"
"—" denotes releases that did not chart, or charted on a subchart.

As featured artist

TitleYearPeak chart positionsCertifications
US
Dance

[48]
CAN
[49]
"Sleep Alone"
2015
"Don't Look Back"
2016
"Alive"
"Orbit"
"Can't Hide"
"Recognize"
"Let You Get Away"
96
"The Back of Your Hands"
2017
"World on Fire"
"Rewind"
"Right to It"
33
"Get Lost"
2018
"Love Me for the Weekend"
"Right Where You Should Be"
2019
"Friends"
"Missing You"
2022
"—" denotes releases that did not chart, or charted on a subchart.

Songwriting credits

TitleYearArtist(s)Album
"Wrong Way"2016Stone Van Brooken
"You Don't Do It for Me Anymore"2017Demi LovatoTell Me You Love Me
"Howl"Delaney Jane
"No One Has to Know"GoldfishLate Night People
"the alternative"2023Lyn Lapidto love in the 21st century (EP)

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ashlyn Rae Willson, Born 04/24/1993 in California. California Birth Index. February 27, 2020.
  2. Web site: ASCAP Ace Search. Willson. Ashlyn Rae. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). February 27, 2020.
  3. Web site: In Search Of: Ashe's "Moral Of The Story" Is Blowing Up Because Of Netflix. Fu. Eddie. February 27, 2020. Genius. en. February 27, 2020.
  4. Web site: P.S. I Still Love You: I Can't Get the Dramatic "Moral of the Story" Song Out of My Head. Meredith. Karenna. February 12, 2020. Popsugar. en-US. February 27, 2020.
  5. Web site: ASHE Interview- religion, marriage, ex-boyfriends, tinder, pop music standards. Engel. Lauren. November 28, 2017. Sidewalk Talk. YouTube. March 1, 2020.
  6. Web site: April 2, 2018 . B-Sides On-Air: Interview – Ashe Talks Beginnings, New Music . B-Sides . en-US.
  7. Web site: Nashville Pros: Ashlyn Willson. Petrelli. David. Berklee College of Music. May 16, 2018.
  8. Web site: Ashe: Biography & History. Collar. Matt. AllMusic. en-us. February 27, 2020.
  9. Peaks on the US and Global Spotify Viral 50:
    • "Can't Hide" (Global and US): 766717683370819584. ashemusic. Can't Hide w/ @whethanmusic is the #1 song on the US X Global Viral 50 charts this fine Friday✨ – huh?!?! #Spotify. Ashe. August 19, 2016.
    • "Used to It" (Global): Web site: Ashe Releases "Used to It" Video – Watch Now!. August 29, 2017. The Daily Shuffle. en-US. March 1, 2020.
    • "Back of Your Hand" (Global): Web site: Ashe Chart History: Spotify Viral 50. March 1, 2020. Billboard.
    • "Moral of the Story" (Global): Web site: Global Viral 50: 27/02/2020. February 27, 2020. Spotify Charts. March 1, 2020.
    • "Moral of the Story" (US): Web site: US Viral 50: 27/02/2020. February 27, 2020. Spotify Charts. March 1, 2020.
  10. Web site: Dance Recording of the Year – Juno Awards: Drake, The Weeknd and Shawn Mendes Lead With Five Noms Each. February 8, 2017. The Hollywood Reporter. en. March 1, 2020.
  11. Web site: PopCrush Presents: Ashe on Writing For Demi Lovato And Being An "Alt-Pop Girl". Jiang. Ruth. September 19, 2017. PopCrush. May 16, 2018.
  12. Web site: Interview: Ashe on Living Your Best Authentic Life. Driscoll. Gillian. Culture Collide. January 25, 2018. May 17, 2018. December 3, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201203183954/https://culturecollide.com/ashe/. dead.
  13. Web site: Ashe Joins the Mom + Pop Family. June 2, 2017. Mom+Pop. en-US. March 1, 2020. March 1, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200301144441/http://www.momandpopmusic.com/featured/2017/6/ashe-joins-the-mom-pop-family. dead.
  14. Web site: Ashe's debut single 'Used To It' gets future pop remix from Aire Atlantica. Vens. Rachel. August 16, 2017. Earmilk. en-US. March 1, 2020.
  15. EarthGang is Latest Vevo dscvr Artist to Watch: Exclusive. Kress. Bryan. November 15, 2017. Billboard. March 1, 2020.
  16. 857070092378546176. ashemusic. my excitement about jumping on the @TheChainsmokers "memories...do not open tour" TOMORROW with @Shaun_Frank & @iamDelaneyJane !!! . Ashe. April 26, 2017.
  17. Web site: Introducing Ashe: A VEVO Artist To Watch In 2018. Caminiti. Kasey. DuJour. November 15, 2017. May 17, 2018.
  18. Web site: PREMIERE: Ashe Gets Emotional on Debut EP, 'The Rabbit Hole'. Chou. Thomas. June 22, 2018. Milk.Xyz. June 23, 2018. July 16, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190716232829/https://milk.xyz/articles/premiere-ashe-gets-emotional-on-debut-ep-the-rabbit-hole/. dead.
  19. Web site: Meet Ashe and her summery debut EP The Rabbit Hole. Davies. Hayden. PILERATS. March 1, 2020.
  20. Web site: You're Going to Want to Get to Know Ashe. Lambert. Eleanor. February 12, 2019. Teen Vogue. en. March 1, 2020.
  21. Web site: Ashe Moves On From a Toxic Relationship in 'Moral Of The Story: Chapter 1' EP. Yung. Alyssa. April 8, 2019. Ones To Watch. April 8, 2019.
  22. billboardcharts. 1234606160403222529. @ashemusic earns her first career entry on the #Hot100 this week, as "Moral of the Story" debuts at No. 71. . March 2, 2020. February 3, 2020.
  23. 1234595738354667525. billboardcharts. Debuts on this week's #Billboard200 (2/2). Billboard Charts. March 2, 2020.
  24. Web site: Moral of the Story created by Ashe: Popular songs on TikTok. TikTok. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200301173107/https://www.tiktok.com/music/Moral-of-the-Story-6793091579272759298?lang=en. March 1, 2020. March 1, 2020.
  25. Web site: Ashe & Niall Celebrate 20 Million Streams on "Moral Of The Story". August 13, 2020. Hard8 Working Group. August 15, 2020.
  26. ashemusic . 1539609798093819906 . June 22, 2022 . Twitter . en . ASHLYN ERA OVER. LET THE RAE ERA BEGIN. "ANGRY WOMAN" SONG & VIDEO OUT NOW. RAE. THE SOPHOMORE ALBUM. YOURS OCTOBER 14TH. https://ashemusic.lnk.to/Rae.
  27. Web site: 2023-02-02 . Ashe cancels all tour plans to tend to 'struggles and wounds' with mental health . 2024-06-24 . www.audacy.com . en.
  28. Web site: Shahen Jr. . Jim . June 22, 2024 . Concert review: Niall Horan brings good vibe, energy to SPAC . June 24, 2024 . timesunion.com.
  29. Web site: 2024-06-28 . Ashe announces new album ‘Wilson’ set for September release » // MELODIC Magazine . 2024-08-02 . www.melodicmag.com . en-US.
  30. Web site: A Chat With Singer Songwriter Ashe. Montana. Adam. November 6, 2017. UWM Post. May 16, 2018.
  31. Web site: Jiang . Ruth. PopCrush Presents: Ashe . April 20, 2022 . PopCrush . September 19, 2017 . en.
  32. Ashe Chart History: Billboard 200. Billboard. March 10, 2020.
  33. Ashe Chart History: Heatseeker Albums. Billboard. March 3, 2020.
  34. Ashe Chart History: Alternative Albums. Billboard. March 10, 2020.
  35. Ashe Chart History: Independent Albums. Billboard. March 10, 2020.
  36. Ashe Chart History: Canadian Albums. Billboard. March 10, 2020.
  37. Ashe Chart History: Hot 100. Billboard. March 3, 2020.
  38. Web site: Discography Ashe. australian-charts.com. March 7, 2020.
  39. Web site: Discographie Ashe. austriancharts.at. March 19, 2020.
  40. Web site: Discographie Ashe. lescharts.com. March 7, 2020.
  41. Web site: Discography Ashe. irish-charts.com. Hung Medien. March 7, 2020.
  42. Peaks in New Zealand:
  43. Web site: Discography Ashe. norwegiancharts.com. March 7, 2020.
  44. Web site: Discographie Ashe. hitparade.ch. March 2, 2020.
  45. Web site: Ashe full Official Chart history. Official Charts Company. February 29, 2020.
  46. United States. Ashe. December 2, 2022.
  47. United Kingdom. Ashe. May 8, 2024.
  48. Ashe Chart History: Dance/Electronic Songs. Billboard. February 27, 2020.
  49. Ashe Chart History (Canadian Hot 100). Billboard. March 10, 2020.
  50. Web site: Gold & Platinum: Ashe. Music Canada. May 23, 2019 . February 27, 2020.