June 2021

16 17 Happy June Ryze-Fam!!! We are so happy that things are opening safely in places. Music is back in almost full effect and we are so happy to be co - vering some new and upcoming heat for all of you as usual. This month we want to introduce you to Ashton Edminster. Thanks once again for speaking with us today Ashton. Now of course we found you through our partnership with ReverbNation, and what a find. You have one of the most soulful voices we have heard in a while. Give us a little insight on your background and how you became an R&B Soul singer. So, I have been into music my whole life, but I think when I was around 15, I really started liste- ning to more R&B artists like Lauryn Hill and Ma- riah Carey and became obsessed with their wri- ting, production, and vocals so I really wanted to give it a try! We heard “How You Feel” first off of your new EP “Things I Never Told You” that song floored us with the great production and vocals. What is the inspiration behind that track, and what went into the creation of the vibe of your new EP? It’s fan - tastic BTW. Aw. thank you so much! So, I had no intention at all, of releasing those songs. 2019 was an emo- tionally hard year for me with relationship stuff and everything, so instead of letting that person know how I felt, I just wrote those songs to get it off my chest. But when I showed all my close friends, they really pushed me and told me I should put them out. I think with the vibe I really wanted it to all flow together to help show the beginning and end of a relationship so at the end of the day the focus was the storytelling. My amazing producer CJ @hellospcmn helped me put it all together and I’m so happy with how it turned out :) Yes, it is VERY well done. So sorry that you had to go through what you did but the results are amazing in what you did. Your music videos of you doing songs with your acoustic is nice. Do you have any plans on making some official video for the songs off the EP? Yes actually!! I would love to make a music video for “How U Feel” just because it’s my favorite off the EP, hopefully I can get one done by the end of the year! Wonderful!!! Now we are finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel with this pandemic. How did it effect you as far as reaching fans and per - forming? Did you do any virtual shows during that time? I think it just pushed me to get comfortable with being by myself. As a songwriter you sit with your emotions frequently but living alone in a different state than all my friends and the pandemic on top of all that, it was a lot. But I think what came out of it was a better understanding of how to connect my emotions even deeper with my writing! It shows, the music is mature and very connecting in a way. Do you have any shows coming up now that things are beginning to lift? I have a few dinner gigs here and there but I’m hopefully going to do a late EP release show with a full band by the end of the year! Great goal!!! Now let’s say you have NO cap on money and can put together any show you like in any venue you want. Who would be on your bill and where would the show be? Oooooh I would say the Majestic Theater or Hou- se of Blues, those are two dream venues of mine as a Dallas musician. I would have a full band with backup singers and all! Then honestly, I would love to just have a bunch of my musician friends open for me because they are so talented and de- serve the hype! Love it!!! Well, we hope you get those venues soon. Thanks once for having a conversation with the Ryze-Fam today. Is there anything else you would like to say before we go? No problem, I had fun talking to y’all!! Hmm one thing I want to say is support small artists! Every stream does count, thank you! Check out the video to “How You Feel” on P.18