Congratulations on the release of "C67-C2RS" ! What was the inspiration behind stylizing the title this way?
Ashley: For those who haven’t figured it out yet the title C67-C2RZ is pronounced as cop cars! I didn’t want the song to just say cop cars, it felt too boring for me. At one point I was going to name it Reckless because essentially the song is about being a reckless driver, but I didn’t think that was a good fit either. I then decided to look at a telephone keypad, match the numbers that are above the letters to spell out cop cars, and created a license plate formatted title! If you take a look at your phone keypad right now you’ll see that 6 on the keypad has the letter “O”, 7 has the letter “P”, 2 has the letter “A”, add a couple of “C’s” and a “Z” poof, C67-C2RZ is born.
If this song had a music video, what would you want it to look like?
Ashley: When I hear this song my mind immediately pictures a beach party with the sun slowly setting in the background and towards the end a high-speed chase of some sort needs to occur. I feel like that has to close out the video.
What is your favorite thing about songwriting?
Ashley: I’ll be honest, right now I’m at the stage in songwriting where I’m still figuring out the fundamentals. C67-C2RZ is the first song I’ve for the most part fully written from start to finish and I’m always congratulating myself for this song because writing has always been a struggle. One of the biggest strengths I’ve been noticing as of late though is how I’m able to write a catchy hook; the hook is probably the first thing I write and then I work my way around the rest of the song. However, If all I’m able to write is a hook, I’m going to reach out to a writer who is able to listen to that hook and write verses to it or take ideas I have and be able to shape them into lyrics. Sometimes I’ll even ask my friends to try and write a verse for me and I learn from their approach.
You are currently studying at the Roc Nation School at Long Island University. Can you talk a bit about the skills you've learned there and how they've influenced you as a musician?
Ashley: I think one of the best things I’ve ever been taught at this school is how to build a relationship with somebody. In the music industry, it’s all about having a good relationship with the people that can help you lead to bigger opportunities and connections and you do the same for them. I’ve met so many artists, producers, songwriters, engineers, creative directors, you name it and everyone I’ve talked with always has something to offer to the table that can be very beneficial down the line. The relationships I’ve built with these people allow the floor to be open for collaboration, opportunity, and it makes me happy to know that outside of being creative and working that these people are my friends, and these friendships I’ll cherish for my whole life.
What is something you want those listening to C67-C2RZ to know about the song?
Ashley: I didn’t think this song was going to be about being a reckless driver getting chased by police. When I started writing, the "oooo wooo oooo" part in the beginning that introduces the song was only supposed to be in the beginning as a cute little attention grabber and that's it. However, as I kept writing I asked one of my friends to write with me and they wrote the line “open window, satisfied, driving all through the night,” which then made me realize the opening line sounded like a cop car siren and I wrote the chorus from there and just kept going.
What can listeners expect to hear from you this year?
Ashley: Over the past few months I’ve been back and fourth between writing and recording songs for my debut EP. I’d keep your eyes peeled for some dates in the summer, just saying (;
Interviewed By Tessa Brainard
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