Lauren Ash

We’re excited to be speaking today with acclaimed singer/songwriter/musician and actress Lauren Ash; greetings and salutations, Lauren! Before we dive into the Q&A mosh-pit, how has your summer of ‘23 been treating you?

Summer 2023 has been a wild ride so far! I just played my first public show at the Whisky a Go Go in LA and it was an absolutely amazing night! I’ve also been spending time in my homeland of Canada which has been super fun.

Major congratulations on your freshly-minted new single Umbrella which is your crackling and pop-punk rendition of Rihanna’s beloved hit song! What’s the secret to pulling off a successful cover version of such a well-known hit tune?

I think it’s a few things. First, I wanted to make sure someone hadn’t already done something like I was thinking. So after doing some extensive googles I felt like I was in the clear. Second, I think it’s about finding the balance of making sure to honor the original source material while also making it your own. My version of Umbrella is in no way a competition with Rhianna’s, that’s an impossible feat. This is a complete reimagining. And I feel like it lends itself SO WELL to the pop punk genre!Which really is a testament to how good the song is. To be able to cross wildly different genres and still be a total banger is a rare scenario.

Just out of curiosity, have you copped any earplay about Rihanna’s reaction to your amazing spin on Umbrella?

I have not! I would DIE if she heard it. Please! Everyone! Tag Riri and share the song! Let’s get it on her radar!

Who was your producer on Umbrella and what did the collaboration between artist and producer look like in the studio?

Both Umbrella and my debut single “Now I Know” were produced by Shane Soloski in Los Angeles. I met Shane earlier this year. A friend had connected us when I was interested in playing a concert for my birthday in February. That concert ended up being the single best night of my entire life and Shane, who is also an amazing producer, asked me to come to his studio and play some of my original music for him. We gelled artistically basically immediately and got my first two singles together very quickly. I think the collaboration between artist and producer is really important. You both have to feel like the other person is extremely talented and get invested in the process of working together while also not being afraid to tell the other when you think something they’re doing isn’t working. It quickly becomes a very professionally intimate relationship in many ways and really is what can make a song great or just mediocre.

What differentiates your version of Umbrella from the Distinguished Competition on the 2023 music scene?

There is SO MUCH music happening all the time now and social media has made it easier than ever for musicians to get their music heard which is super exciting. That said, this also means that the competition to get music heard is fierce. I think my version of Umbrella is just so fun that it’s impossible not to smile when you hear it. A lot of feedback I get is that they can’t believe no one thought to do this before. Which is a huge compliment!

Umbrella is your second offering music-wise this summer, your first single being June’s beautiful Now I Know. Are you gearing up for an eventual EP or LP release before the end of 2023?

Yes! That’s the goal. An EP sometime in fall/winter 2023!

Can you introduce our ever-inquisitive readers to the super-talented members of your band?

I would LOVE to!

Guitar - Federico Navarro – Federico is a BEAST on the guitar. His solo at the end of my single Umbrella makes me smile every time I hear it. Hailing from Uruguay, Federico played with Hugo Fattoruso and Ruben Rada (a Latin Grammy Winner) recording and touring the world for 15 years. I’m so grateful that our paths crossed and he has shared his talents on my songs.

Guitar - Eric Dover – Eric is an INCOMPARABLE guitar player and singer. He has played with The Jellyfish, Slash’s Snakepit, Alice Cooper and many more. His raw talent has been absolutely incredible to get to collaborate with. The opening guitar sounds on Now I Know were all him and I love it so much every time I listen.

Bass - Shane Soloski–My amazing producer and KICKASS bass player, Shane has played with huge acts and produced countless albums at his studio in LA. He has played bass for Brian Wilson and with Five For Fighting and I can’t rave enough about his talents as a music producer. A keen ear and inherent musicality have elevated my work significantly.

Drums - Ty Dennis – An insane talent, Ty has notably played with The Doors since 2003. He’s also played with Booker T, Robby Krieger and many other established acts. I am consistently blown away listening to his drums on Now I Know. Every nuance of his playing on that song made it come together in such a special and contagious way.

As a successful and respected actress, you join a long line of other fellow actors such as Keanu Reeves, Juliette Lewis, River Phoenix and Kevin Costner who have also established careers as musicians. Why do you feel that the field of acting cross-pollinates so often with the world of music?

Keanu actually played a show with his band Dogstar at the Roxy the same night I was at the Whisky! That felt like such a wild full circle moment for me as I was such a fan of theirs in high school. I think that often creative people aren’t single faceted. In my experience, it’s not uncommon for great actors to be great singers, musicians, visual artists or dancers. Even if it sounds cheesy, I think the truth is that some of us just have this undeniable desire to create and share art with the world. Because of this, I think we often have been blessed with more than one gift. And, like they say, every actor wants to be a rock star and every rock star wants to be an actor.

9.) Who inspires you musically?

I am inspired by the female singers and female punk rock/rock lead bands of the 90s/early 2000s. Hole, 7 Year Bitch, No Doubt, Tracy Bonham, Bif Naked, Veruca Salt, Holly McNarland, these were all huge influences on me. The punk rock and rock worlds have always been predominantly very male dominated. Even now! And these women were rocking harder than many of the men even 20 to 30 years ago. It’s super inspiring. I’ve always just wanted to do what all of those women do.

10.) Word ‘round industry campfire has it that you’re set to perform your first public concert at the nigh legendary Whiskey-AGo-Go in Los Angeles onTuesday July 18th, 2023 – which will be free to the public. Congratulations! How do you feel making your concert debut at such an iconic location for musicians?

This was honestly a life changing experience for me. I grew up in small town Canada where the pinnacle of music, for me, was the shows I read about in magazines happening in Los Angeles at the Viper Room, Roxy and Whisky A Go Go. Getting to perform publicly for the first time on that historic stage was honestly the stuff that dreams are made of. It was electric.

11.) Has it been difficult juggling your acting work alongside your music?

Well as you’ve probably heard, the WGA and SAG are currently on strike. So when I’m not out on a picket line, I’ve been able to focus on music. But even before those strikes began I had started to immerse myself in this world in a way that I typically wouldn’t have in the past. Writing music has been a huge part of my life since I was very young. I’ve just never shared my music with anybody in basically 2 decades. So I guess this year it has just felt like “if not now, when?” in the most beautiful way. My hope is to continue working and exploring both art forms simultaneously for as long as I possibly can.