There’s really nothing better than discovering your new favorite band, and Illinois rock/post-hardcore outfit Ashland is certainly one of those bands. Their new EP, Interim, is sure to be a treat for fans of generally energetic and compelling music. Seriously, go buy it here for Name Your Own Price. You have no excuse.
Vocalist Asia Marie stopped by to tell us about 5 albums that have had a huge impact on her life. Check out her choices after the jump!
5 Albums That Changed My Life
Asia Woodward
Before I begin, I’d like to elaborate a bit on my childhood. My parents were divorced. My brother and I lived with my mom. It was a very strict environment. We went to church every Sunday and Wednesday and were only allowed to listen to Christian music. My brother and I would visit my dad every other weekend. We were allowed to stay up as late as we want, watch rated R movies, and eat junk food. The only music my dad listened to was metal and early butt rock.
I felt anything but torn between my two worlds. I knew that my mom was right and my dad was wrong. I didn’t enjoy secular music or rated R movies. They made me feel unsheltered and I didn’t like that. So I followed every rule, regulation and guideline to avoid those feelings. Looking back now, that really sucks! Adolescence is an opportunity that many of us miss out on. If I had been more open-minded and more fearless, I would know a lot more about music and life in general.
That being said, I present to you “5 Albums That Changed My Life”:
1. Christina Aguilera – Christina Aguilera
My dad remarried to a young, blonde, long-legged, daddy’s girl. She owned every super duper mainstream pop album you can think of from around this time (Backstreet Boys, N’Sync, TLC, Britney Spears). I saw Christina Aguilera’s CD among this collection and thought that my stepmom looked like a trashier version of her. I was curious as to what she sounded like so I closed the door and popped in the CD. I must have sat on the floor and listened to that album over twenty times. I had never heard anything so RIDICULOUS in my life! I thought my praise and worship leader had the best voice in the world and I wanted to be just like her. But THIS! THIS changed everything! I remember thinking, “this girl’s voice has no limits.” The music behind her voice didn’t even exist- her voice was the music. I never wanted anything so badly in my life. I wanted my vocal runs to flow from the east to the west and a range that soared from the north to the south. My whole perspective on music and voice changed that day and my ears were eagerly opened to the world of secular music.
2. Blink 182 – Enema of the State
I was lying on the couch late one night, sometime between puberty for me and a debut studio album release for them. I was watching a late night TV show and just about to pass out when, lo and behold, a bunch of boys with spikey hair and baggy shorts appeared. They started yelling about “all the small things” and I was in love. I’d never heard of them. I’d never heard of punk rock before. And in all my hormonal excitement, I missed their name. They were the ones that got away.
My mom, my brother and I moved to Illinois shortly after. My predominantly white, Christian school was gone. My church was gone. My comfort was gone. I transferred to a very public, very not Christian, middle school. I had been bullied in my last school, but this was a whole new world of it. My mom was always at work and we lived in a bad neighborhood, so going home was never consolation. Luckily for me, I had a couple friends close by. All dudes. All skaters. I didn’t know how important they were to me at the time, but I’m so thankful I had them. I don’t think any of us knew a thing about each other’s home life (probably for good reason). We never got in to trouble. I was a major tomboy, so flirting was never a thing. We just skated and talked about music. One day they gave me a few scratched up CDs: Simple Plan, Sum41 and Blink182. I loved every album, but I didn’t realize who Blink182 was until I heard “All The Small Things” start playing. You can only imagine my middle-school, fan-girl excitement when I realized that the one’s that got away had somehow found their way back to me again. They became my favorite band and I finally realized what all the “negative” rock stuff was that my dad listened to. It was reality, life, pain- all the the things that I’d been feeling. And Blink182 taught me the great meaning of “fuck it.” Now my ears had been opened to secular music AND rock.
3. Flyleaf – Flyleaf
As time progressed, so did the number of bad experiences in my life. And I mean bad. I definitely let it impact me close to a point of no return. The part of me that I had never questioned was now a dark, vacant place. My body, my soul, and my mind had all become separate. I was hurt and angry.
I saw Flyleaf’s music video for “Sorrow” on MTV one day. It was like a reflection of myself on the screen. When I heard Lacey’s testimony I was floored. She and I have a lot in common there. I bought their album (which is something I never did. Lime wire days). I was so inspired. I hadn’t reached a point of personal breakthrough, but this album gave me hope that the day would come. I never thought I could be a successful musician because of who I was. I’ve always known that I’d be a singer, but I think this was when I realized for the first time that I wanted to be in a band. I needed and wanted the support of good people/musicians. But it would be awhile before I would find the courage to do what I wanted.
4. Brand New – The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me
This isn’t my favorite Brand New album, but it accompanied me through the darkest time in my life. I was listening to this album on repeat every day in late 2011, early 2012. The point of no return that I previously mentioned was a fragile point I was balancing on now. My mind was gone and to be honest, I just hated myself and life. I think I listened to this album so much because it explained exactly what was going on inside of me. It was the only thing that I could understand or relate to at the time.
5. Ashland- Interim
Okay, okay, this is so lame! But it’s TRUE! haha Everyone in the band worked so damn hard on Interim and I can honestly say that it’s one of my favorite albums out right now. We took our sweet, precious time writing every single little part in every song. I let go of all my fears for Interim and that’s why I chose it as an album that changed my life. I consider it our first “real” Ashland album.
Those are the “5 Albums That Changed My Life.” Please accept my apologies for not discovering Led Zeppelin, Guns N’ Roses, Aerosmith or Janis Joplin sooner in life. :)
