Interviews By Uma: Ashley Suppa
The Plush Bassist On New Music, Inspiration And How To Keep Creating
Musician Ashley Suppa of Plush is spreading the Love, Light and Power
The Hudson Valley singer, songwriter and producer on creating solo music, what’s next for Plush and being a force for good
Ashley Suppa has been singing and playing rock and roll since her guitarist dad helped set her up as a background singer for Ace Frehley’s 2009 solo album Anomaly. She was six when she did that gig and she hasn’t looked back!
With an album and a handful of songs of solo material under her belt, Ashley has also been the bass player for Plush since 2000. That band – practically a Super Band of talented musicians that also features singer, songwriter and guitarist Moriah Formica, lead guitarist Bella Perron, and drummer Faith Powell – has released an album and EP, and just came off a headlining tour.
We caught the band in Portland, Maine over the summer and it was unlike any rock show we had attended up to that point. While the band – a throw back to the heyday of classic rock and roll – is talented and high energy, what impressed us the most was how responsive and engaged the band is to young fans. The band came out after the show and spent time talking and getting to know fans.
In particular, Ashley and Uma chatted a long time, about music and art. Ashley suggested Uma keep in touch and to her very great credit, she did and agreed to an interview.
Last month, Suppa released the stand alone single, LOVE, LIGHT, POWER, a soulful and catchy pop song that will hopefully be part of a larger solo release. And on Saturday, December 21 Ashley will be appearing with Carly Pearl at Colony Woodstock. Doors 6pm, show 7pm. Visit Colony Woodstock for ticket information. Colony Woodstock is located at 22 Rock City Road, Woodstock, NY 12498
For more information on Ashley Suppa’s solo material, visit Ashley Suppa Website. Plush can be found at Plush Website. Interviews By Uma can be read right here in the middle of every month.
Watch Ashley’s new video and song below and then enjoy her interview!
Interviews By Uma: Ashley Suppa
Uma Szczesny: There’s a lot of flowers in the LOVE, LIGHT, POWER video. Where did you film it and why did you choose that place to film it? (Side question: I love the dino head, what’s that about?) There are a lot of flowers!
Ashley Suppa: I filmed the video in the Hudson Valley, a place I am lucky to call home. These are some of my favorite places to go when I need a moment to find some peace. I spend a lot of time outside because it washes away whatever is taking over my mind. I think more clearly in nature. It’s where I feel most inspired and connected to everything around me. It is otherworldly.
The dinosaur head was an idea that I had while I was making coffee one afternoon. I wanted the video to be fun so we of course had to have fun while making it. And we did. There is this DIY aspect to the video, which I adore. I bought the mask, called my best friend since 8th grade and asked her if she’d be willing to help me with something. Which was to wear a dinosaur mask for my music video. She agreed, and we laughed so, so much throughout the entire day of filming. I edited the video myself and it was filmed entirely on my GoPro by her and I.
US: Did you play all the music yourself in the song? Can you tell me what the song means to you?
AS: Yes! I played every instrument, produced & mixed the song. All vocals are mine as well. I grew up listening to a lot of bedroom pop and indie pop music, so I have always wanted to make something reminiscent of the music I loved so much. I find that uncertainty inspires me which is what I mostly felt when I wrote the song. The verses are self-reflective and maybe a bit self-critical. There is a tightrope between vulnerability and withdrawal where I am pacing back and forth and trying not to fall.
LOVE, LIGHT, POWER! means that you have all of these ideas within you. The chorus is an affirmation to myself and to whoever listens to it. I had originally written the chorus as “I am love, I am light, I am power” (which is still hidden somewhere in the track). I wanted to believe that this could be true about myself, but I didn’t really know how. So, I wrote this song, and I am learning how. And that’s okay.
US: What’s next for Plush and have any Plush members worked with you on your solo work?
AS: Next for Plush is Shiprocked in January which is going to be a lot of fun! It will be a nice change going from the cold New York winter to visiting Saint Thomas. I am really excited to see The Struts and Nothing More perform. I also miss my bandmates terribly so I absolutely cannot wait to make more memories with them again.
No members of Plush have worked with me on my solo work! I love making music with them more than anything and am so beyond grateful to create with them in Plush. It is pure energy and electricity and I would not have it any other way.
US: Will this song be part of a bigger solo album by you? Will there be more solo music from you?
AS: YES! I would say to look out for some more music sooner than later! I’m currently working on a few more songs at the moment and am really excited to share them with you. I am putting my all into these songs and can’t wait to see what you think.
US: Do you own any pets and what are their names? (Side question: What’s your favorite animal?)
AS: I have a German Shepherd named Otto. He is my best friend in the world and I miss him more than anything when I’m away on tour. My favorite animal is a bear, for sure. I love Kodiak bears and sun bears, but I love all bears. And I also really love whale sharks - they are so elegant!
US: When did you start playing music and what advice would you have for young girls just starting out in music?
AS: I started playing music when I was six-years-old. I discovered my love for singing after I sang on Ace Frehley of the band KISS’ solo record. I was feeling very afraid in the moments that came up to it, but I had to get over my fear to get through it.
I think fear stops people from doing a lot of things they will end up falling in love with. You are more than good enough, you are worthy of the experiences you will have, and you will be successful. Don’t let the worries of your head get in the way of your heart’s dreams. Take every opportunity you can get, never stop learning, and always do what you feel is right. Be so undeniably you and don’t ever change who you are for anybody else. Listen to yourself and no one else, because that’s what music is all about - expressing yourself and feeling free.
Interviews By Uma is a monthly question and answer feature developed by ten-year-old Uma Szczesny and formatted and managed by her journalist dad. The column focuses on interviews between Uma and some of her favorite musicians, artists and teachers. Uma is also a kid reporter for Manchester Ink Link. Her interviews have been published in several media journals and newspapers in the United States and Canada. For more information on Interviews By Uma, to read her archive or to propose or suggest an interview, email interviewsbyuma@gmail.com. Check out Dan and Uma’s books here:
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Nice job Uma, well done!
Hey I finally got this Substack to work for me😁
What a great interview, Uma!
Awesome job !
Thank you