Johnny Ashby
Johnny Ashby is a British singer/songwriter based in Los Angeles, California.
Ashby found a love for music through his Dad’s mixtapes. As a teen he played guitar in various bands and after leaving college, stepped into the session world. Deciding to move to California with nothing but a suitcase full of clothes, a guitar he built himself and dreams of playing the legendary Troubadour, the songwriter dove in head first and has not looked back since.
Inspired by the likes of David Bowie, Kings of Leon, Coldplay and Damon Albarn, Ashby aims to create music following a similar path of thinking outside the box. His sound blends the best of his childhood favourites, with the intention of being performance worthy. Ashby explains, “When I write I imagine what the songs would be like live, that’s what’s most important to me. That’s what I’m aiming for.”
Ashby’s latest five-track EP entitled In Bloom is co-written and produced with friends Fredrik Eriksson, Sebastian Fritze and Bill Delia from the band Grizfolk. Grizfolk are hugely successful on the folk-rock circuit opening for artists like Bastille, Haim and X-Ambassadors. The EP highlights Ashby’s infectious Americana tinged sound, featuring radio-ready anthems with lyrics that speak of finding connection, new beginnings and coming together. The ethos behind the EP was to provide uplifting, positive and hopeful messages during a time of uncertainty. Ashby confides, “I think all the songs lyrically really address where we are in this very moment. They’re very true of the time in which they were written. They all have this “heat of the moment” feel for me because we managed to capture the emotion and feeling on each track right there and then. They’re so raw and honest and I feel like I’m wearing my heart on my sleeve here with all of these songs.”
Ashby’s first album Cannonball Days peaked at #9 in the iTunes songwriters chart which led to Huffington Post naming him a “Top 5 Emerging Icon". Since then, he has released four well acclaimed EPs and his music has been heard on radio both in the UK and the US, gaining huge support from BBC Introducing and Absolute Radio in London. He's played the prestigious Troubadour in Los Angeles multiple times and his songs have been featured on primetime television for shows including Grey’s Anatomy, Pretty Little Liars, Elementary, Rise, Baywatch, Teen Mom, Midnight In Texas and many others.
“Born Again” reveals Ashby’s perfect brew of ambient, anthemic Americana. Tender lyrics float through a melancholy dreamscape, all building into a triumphant chorus of ‘I can’t wait to be born again’” - American Songwriter
“Pulling inspiration from the legendary David Bowie and everyone’s favourite feel-good band Coldplay, Ashby delivers an EP full of radio-ready anthems and uplifting messages backdropped with layered vocals and shimmering guitar melodies” - Wonderland
“This potent blend of warm, Americana soundscapes, haunting vocals and echoing percussion firmly marks Ashby as a songwriting force to be reckoned with” - Earmilk
