Robyn Ashley shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Robyn, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
For me, integrity always comes first. I genuinely believe that when you act in alignment with your values and moral compass, everything else becomes possible. Integrity is what builds trust, and trust is what allows you to actually create real energy and momentum with other people.
When I know I’m doing the right thing, I’m more open, more curious, and more willing to learn — which is how you get smarter and grow your skills over time. Intelligence and energy are obviously important, but without integrity they can very easily be misdirected. So my sequence is always: integrity first, then energy, then intelligence — all aligned with who I really am as a person.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I’m Robyn Ashley, a vocalist, songwriter, and band leader based in Edmonton, AB. I make what I like to call “Sparkle Rock”—a bright, high-energy blend of modern country, pop, and rock that’s all about big feelings, big vocals, and giving people a place to feel alive for a few minutes.
Together with the Robyn Ashley Band, I’ve been building a growing live show and releasing original music that tells the real stories behind the highlight reel—love, loss, growth, starting over, and learning to bet on yourself. My debut EP, “Everything’s Changed,” is the sound of me deciding to go all in on the life I actually want, and it features songs like “Good For Me,” “Which Piece Do I Follow,” and “Chasing Red Lights.”
What makes my brand unique is the heart behind it: I care a lot about integrity, connection, and community. I don’t write about partying for the sake of it—I write about the people, moments, and choices that actually shape us. On stage, my goal is simple: make you feel seen, make you sing, and send you home with a little more light than you walked in with.
Right now, my band and I are focused on bringing this music to as many stages as possible, growing our community, and continuing to create songs that remind people that everything is figure-out-able and it’s never too late to go all in on yourself.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
My dad taught me the most about work. Growing up, I watched him work incredibly hard, but what stood out even more was his people-first approach. He always treated everyone with respect, showed up when it mattered, and did what he said he would do.
I’ve absolutely inherited my work ethic from him. For me, working hard isn’t just about long hours—it’s about showing up with integrity, taking care of people, and being someone others can rely on. That’s the standard he set, and it’s the one I try to live up to in everything I do.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that’s held me back the most is the fear of being seen and judged.
Growing up, especially as a teenager and young adult, I was terrified to really go for the things I loved because I worried more about what people would say than about what it would feel like to live in my purpose. I didn’t want people to pick apart the “wrong” things, or focus on parts of me I was insecure about instead of the music and the heart behind it.
That fear is a big part of why I waited so long to fully pursue my dreams. I spent years playing small, trying to be what I thought was acceptable instead of who I actually am.
I’m still human, so that fear doesn’t magically disappear—but now I try to use it as a compass. If something scares me because it means being seen more fully, it usually means I’m moving in the right direction.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
If you asked my closest friend about me, they’d probably say I genuinely care about my people.
Whether it’s my band, my team, or the people I love, I’m always thinking about how they’re doing, how they’re feeling, and how we can win together.
I don’t believe anything meaningful is built alone. It takes a mix of different talents and personalities to bring a vision to life, so anyone who works with me is someone I invest in. I want people to feel heard, valued, and engaged when they’re on my team.
My friend would also say I care a lot about creating an environment where people feel both respected and challenged. We don’t have to agree on everything—in fact, I think some friction can lead to the best ideas—but I want everyone around me to feel fulfilled, appreciated, and part of something bigger than themselves.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I only had 10 years left, I’d instantly stop caring what people think.
Like, overnight. I’d retire my inner people-pleaser, give her a gold watch, and send her on a one-way trip to a very faraway island.
I’d wear what I want, say what I mean, make the music that feels like me, and stop running everything through the “Will this be too much?” filter. I’d be busy living my actual life, not the “approved by committee” version.
The funny part is—that’s exactly what I’m trying to do now… I just haven’t fully fired that little voice in my head yet. She still shows up with performance reviews. But more and more, I’m choosing the version of me who knows time is short and decides to go all in anyway, even if somebody somewhere is mildly scandalized about it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://robynashley.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robynashleymusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100081485509616
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@robynashleymusic
Image Credits
Michelle Spice, Cam Stav
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