A native of the Adirondacks, Ashley Sofia is a trending fold rock artist with a graceful style and original sound. This young Ticonderoga born musician has been named a Saratoga Springs Caffe Lena emerging artist, her album Love and Fury was named one of the “Best Records of 2014,” by The Times Union and she has found her voice and beguiled followers from Saratoga to Nashville to a tour of the Northeast. Ashley Sofia took time out of her busy schedule to talk to Ticonderoga360 about her past, present and future plans! (Visit her website AshleySofia.com and Like her on Facebook!) This gal just rocks…check it out:
Q. Do you remember the very first time you ever performed?
A. Sure, I was terrified. I didn’t know if I was going to survive it. I’m not sure where along the line I became confident and outgoing on stage, but one day I realized it was effortless. I made music because I loved it. Performing it was the last thing on my mind. I wrote and sang because I had to. I started getting emails after I went on tour from fan friends telling me how natural I seem on stage. I’m very lucky to have turned that weakness into a strength.
Q. What artist(s) have influenced you the most?
A. My father, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, James Taylor, Dylan, The Beatles, The Eagles, Led Zeppelin, CSN. Those were the staples. I was raised on rock and roll.
Q. What is your inspiration for original tracks?
A. It’s almost always organic. I never sit down and think, “I’ve got to write a song.” I’ll be trying to do something else and I’ll be plagued with some kind of a feeling, something I really need to say. I’ll pick up my guitar and I’ll strum and sing until it’s out of me. A lot of my best work just fell from my mouth and hands.
Q. What has been your performance experience…types of places you have played?
A. I’ve played all kinds of venues from bar rooms to outdoor festivals. I mostly prefer listening houses, like Caffe Lena. They’ll hold usually about a hundred people. There isn’t any alcohol or sketchy club promoters trying to make money on the musicians back. At Caffe Lena it’s all about the art. You could hear a pin drop. People come to hear you sing and hear what you’ve got to say. It’s about the pure, naked songs. Usually it’s just me, my guitar, and my stories that I tell the audience. Those are the kind of evenings I live for.
Q. What song do you think people connect with the most from your latest CD? Why, and what have they told you?
A. 1973. I wrote that song for my father. I never expected anyone to understand what it meant- it was our story. All the sudden radio stations started picking it up. I was getting all kinds of messages from people about family members, old guitars, and a forgotten magic nostalgia from the 60s and 70s. I shared the stage last summer with Troy Jones at The Bryan Kennedy Show. He’s written a lot of hits for Billy Currington. When we met he shook my hand and told me that “1973” is his favorite song. I knew he meant it, and it meant a lot to me.
Q. Is there one particular song that has a special meaning to you?
A. All of my songs have special meaning to me. I’m not detached from anything I’ve written. They’re all stories from my past and parts of who I am.
Q. What instruments do you play, and how did you learn?
A. I was trained in piano but I learned guitar from my father. I was surrounded by great musicians, but I learned the most from my dad. I’ve spent over 10,000 hours with a guitar in my hands. I never had the patience for technical training. I didn’t want to learn how to play other people’s songs. I wanted to write my own.
Q. Aside from performing, what moves you as a “folk” musician and as a human being?
A. Oh, lots of things. I get passionate about social issues and the environment. I’m moved by good books and films. Lately I’ve been focused less on singing about myself and more about the human condition, at least on a few of these tracks.
Q. How have your family and the Ticonderoga community supported you in your journey?
A. My family has been so incredibly supportive. My mom is such an amazing creative resource. My dad never misses a show, studio session, or rehearsal. One day my brother posted on Facebook after he heard my new single on the radio, “I couldn’t be any prouder of my little sister. She’s really doing it.” They have made it possible. Ticonderoga folks drive all over to come see me play. I’ve even spotted them when I’m on stage in NYC. They’ve been so kind to me on this journey, I know they hassle a lot of the radio stations around here to hear more of me. They’re always writing me nice lines about my music. I’ve been so blessed. They make me feel so loved. They bring tears to my eyes.
Q. If you could put together your ‘dream group’, who would it be and where would you perform?
A. Me, Joni, and CSN. Woodstock.
Q. What would you most like people to know about any upcoming performances and your plans for the future?
A. The best is yet to come for us. I promise.
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