Born, raised and based in the Northern Rivers (NSW), Australian singer-songwriter Ashleigh Bo's newest single is 'Nana Joy'.
One of the first songs that Ashleigh wrote after picking up an electric guitar in 2018, 'Nana Joy' was written some months after the passing of her grandmother while living in a small garage studio in Mullumbimby.A mix of indie rock and alt country, Ashleigh pens songs that are raw and deeply personal which reflect on the past and compel states of nostalgia and melancholy.
Lyrically and vocally inspired by the likes of Cat Power, Winehouse, Angel Olsen and Dylan, Ashleigh contrasts vulnerable yet powerful vocals with lo-fi guitar and honest storytelling.
Who is Ashleigh Bo? I've had a bit of a clunky relationship with music and songwriting.
After high school I left the Northern Rivers and briefly went on to study music in Brisbane before leaving it all behind for some five years to work and play in the city; though still always holding some thread of acquaintance with music and singing.
I collided with music again sometime around 2012 when I joined a band and reignited my love of performing and began to explore writing lyrics and melodies.
After moving back to the area some years ago I finally picked up the electric guitar in 2018 courtesy of a dear friend and began clumsily strumming chords and the songs just kind of poured out. That's the condensed version anyway.
I sound like... I've been told I sound like Cat Power, Angie McMahon.
My first ever gig was... In this old, sweaty Queenslander house in West End, draped in fairy lights in the height of summer filled with friends and family.
My first ever solo gig was just last year in this sweet, little, intimate venue called The Dusty Attic in Lismore run by two incredible women. It's no longer in motion, so I feel lucky I got to play there.
In the studio... I am usually a little uneasy at first. It's not really been my natural habitat musically. I'm most at home when I'm tucked away writing songs.
I worked with Wayne Connolly at The Music Farm for my latest single 'Nana Joy' and a few other songs; he was perfectly patient and undemanding in the space which allowed me open up. It was a dream hearing the songs properly come to life for the first time.
If I could tour with anyone... Currently, it would be Angel Olsen or Marlon Williams.
Social media is... A rabbit hole: Distracting, addictive but also helpful, creative, connective. I mostly try to just interact with it as a tool.
My favourite app at the moment is... My trusty voice memo app that chronicles the coming to life of most of my songs.
To date, my most embarrassing moment was... The time I gathered everyone around to watch me do a front flip on the trampoline and I kneed myself in the face. I almost cracked my cheek bone, had one fully dilated pupil and had to wear sunglasses inside for months.
Life on the road can be... I've not really experienced life on the road as of yet. I imagine it to be exactly like 'Almost Famous'.
If you'll have me on your bill, all I ask is that the rider contains... Herbal tea and whiskey pre-show, and all the food post-show.
The scariest scenario I've found myself in... Was at a gig with a surly sound guy with a power complex.
What celebrity/ famous person would you love to be your spokesperson... I think it would have to be Rick Rubin. No one more qualified to translate the inner workings of an artist.
Three people you'd like to invite around for a dinner party? Dead or alive? I'd love to peek inside the genius of Dave Chapelle, Billie Holiday and Rick Rubin.
The dinner party would be soundtracked to the time and music of Billie in an old jazz bar smoking cigarettes and drinking champagne out of coupe glasses. Dream.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook us? I'm less of a cook and more of a platter-board arranger.
The last time I saw the inside of a gym was... Probably sometime around 2009 when I thought going to Zumba class would help me with my deep-seated emotional crisis of unrequited love. Clearly before I had songwriting.
What's the one chore you dislike the most? I really hate clearing cobwebs because I don't like hurting spiders, but I'm also really scared of them. I clear the cobwebs and leave the spiders so then I have to the clear the cobwebs again the following week. It's an ongoing dilemma.
Do you have any phobias? Trypophobia. The severe aversion to clusters of small holes or bumps. I actually have a physical reaction to it – truly disgusting. It's weird but real I swear – look it up.
Would you ever partake in a reality show? I think that sounds like my worst nightmare. Pass.
If you could prank any of your friends, who's your target, and how are you bringing them down? Oh no, I'm far too concerned with making sure everyone around me is feeling comfortable to be pulling pranks. I'm a recovering people pleaser.
