We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ashley Blanco. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ashley below.
Ashley , so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
Honestly, I haven’t. But I think I talk with it more than I used to and that seems to be helping.
For most of my life, I’ve let imposter syndrome start the conversation and run the show, but these days, I feel more comfortable facing that voice in my head and asking where it’s really coming from.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My name is Ashley Blanco! I’m from Dallas, Texas; I found my way to Florence, Alabama for college, and then have been living in Nashville for the past 10 years. I’m currently in the process of releasing new music under this new artist name.
I’ve been writing songs and releasing music in a different genre for a while, but when the songs I’m releasing now started pouring out, it felt like the energy around what I was doing was shifting, so, I did, too. Into the Ashley Blanco era.
These songs all come from a pretty devastating heartbreak and they’ve had a way of making me more honest, and for that I’m insanely grateful.
These songs all came to life with my producer and long-time friend, Philip Towns. He’s been working with me since day 0, so it’s been incredibly special to evolve together and find a new chapter of my music with such a talented friend who’s belief in me somehow never wavers.
The first two songs of this project are out now! Holding Your Hand (Voice Memo) & Fragile, are out anywhere you stream music now. And there are (at least) 2 more songs coming this fall.
I debut’d these songs at the first show I’d played in two years back in November of 2024 at The Bowery Vault & ever since then, I’ve been unable to keep them to myself.
Back in February, I started a show series called Heartbreak Hotel- hosted by The Late Great at The Virgin Hotel. The premise of the night was to embrace the sad songs of life, because we all know they’re our favorites. We got to do it again recently on July 24th and it was so fun! AND We already have another Heartbreak Hotel booked for November!! So, if you’re feeling a little blue, we’ve got a seat saved for you.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I think, for me, writing has been the biggest shaping tool.
I was introduced to a writing practice through a workshop a few years ago and it’s honestly changed my life.
It’s called the AWA Method, coined by Pat Schneider. I learned about it through a non-profit called The Fold started by Leslie Jordan and Chris DeTray.
Basically, in the group, you’re given a prompt – you go and free-write for a set amount of time and then come back to the group. There, you have the option to share your writing and the group is required to respond. But not with any constructive feedback or critique – they’re simply meant to point out what was strong and what stayed with them from your writing.
This method taught me to not just write better, but to listen better.
Other than that, my friends have been crucial to my process. My advice is to stay connected & don’t let this thing isolate you.
There’s something to be said for moments you need to get comfortable with solitude, but I think pursuing creativity in a career sense can definitely be isolating. For me, it comes in the form of shame. “what am i doing.. am i wasting everyone’s time.. does this really matter” – and that makes me go into hiding. I had a friend give me the advice to go to a show when that narrative starts to repeat in my mind. And that advice is fool-proof. Nashville has been really good about having free shows pop up lately and those have been where I go to remind myself why I’m doing this.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
Letters To A Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke.
Goodness… I read this book years ago and am honestly due for a re-read. I don’t remember everything perfectly. but… the bottom line Rilke leads with is to simply create. Feel inspired? create. Feel stuck? create. And on and on.
“So, dear Sir, I can’t give you any advice but this: to go into yourself and see how deep the place is from which your life flows; at its source you will find the answer to the question of whether you must create.” – Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters To A Young Poet
“Nothing touches a work of art so little as words of criticism: they always result in more or less fortunate misunderstandings.” – Rilke
“Write about what everyday life offers you; describe your sorrows and desires, the thoughts that pass through your mind and your belief in some kind of beauty — describe all these with heartfelt, silent, humble sincerity and, when you express yourself, use the Things around you, the images from your dreams, and the objects that you remember.” – Rilke
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashley_blanco
Image Credits
Fadwa Ward, James Wolf, and Emma Akerman
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
