Ashley Nova of Dead Boyfriend

Multi-Talented Artist

Interview by David R. Navarro

David R. Navarro: Tell us a little bit about yourself?

Ashley Nova: Hello! I’m Ashley, I’m a 22 year old singer-songwriter based in Denver. I started a band called Dead Boyfriend in 2018, which at first, was just me writing and recording everything in my bedroom. Very DIY.

I love to dabble in different genres like punk, folk, and indie rock, and try to make music that challenges my writing and playing abilities.

I’m really into writing songs on bass and piano, because I don’t think those two instruments get enough recognition in the rock category. Also, I play 7 instruments!

In my spare time, I’m also into other artsy things like drawing, painting, and film photography!

DN: How long have you been a performing artist?

AN: I’d say about 8 years. I first started learning bass when I was a freshman in High School, but didn’t perform live until I was 16.

DN: What made you decide to be serious about music?

AN: I would watch live performances of my favorite groups at the time, like My Chemical Romance, and their passion on stage and ability to move people with their music was just mind blowing to me.

Also, I remember my first time performing on stage. I had so much stage fright before I went on, I almost got sick, but when I went on stage it just felt so right. It’s hard to explain, but it felt like I was supposed to be doing this. I honestly can’t imagine myself doing anything else for a living!

DN: Which people or books have had the most influence on your music career and why?

AN: When it comes to how I write music, I think the bands that I listened to a lot in High School really shaped how I view writing lyrics and song structure in general.

I really admire the Pixies and their simple but complex song structures, as well as the abstract way their lyrics are written. The same goes for Neutral Milk Hotel; their sound and poetic lyricism always intrigued me, and I think that’s reflected a lot in my music. Car Seat Headrest also was a huge reason why I started my band, Dead Boyfriend, in the first place. Car Seat Headrest was also founded by one person, and recorded all of their earlier stuff in a bedroom with just one person, and they found great amounts of success! I decided to do the same.

DN: What would you say is the #1 key to success in the music industry?

AN: It’s hard to tell, but for me I think ambition is the biggest thing. You have to want it, and put a lot on the line to be able to achieve a career like this. And you have lots of love for what you do, too!

DN: Talk about the biggest failure you’ve had. What did you learn from it?

AN: The first one that comes to mind is probably when I released my last album, Strangers Forever. I tried to market it as best I could, but with a nonexistent budget it was really difficult. Plus, it’s not like I had a marketing team or anything at the time of it’s release, so that meant I had to do everything myself. On top of all the other tasks that come with releasing an album is just WAY too much for one person to handle. So, unfortunately, it didn’t get as much traction as I had hoped, but I still got featured on some playlists, and even got the album reviewed! I’m very proud of that.

I think the biggest thing I learned from releasing that album by myself was that you have to be insanely prepared. Like, if you think you’re well prepared already, you have to prepare EVEN MORE. It’s really hard to get your art out there with limited resources, but I think with a lot of creativity you can still make it work.

DN: What advice can you give other individuals who want to follow in your footsteps?

AN: It’s pretty cliche, but JUST GO FOR IT! Everyone has to start somewhere, so even if you think you’re ‘not good enough’, just putting your art out there into the world is a HUGE first step.

Be authentic, be creative, and don’t care what other people think. Just making art for YOU is so important.

DN: What does a typical day in your week look like?

AN: During the day I work at Starbucks, but when I have free time I’m either writing music, trying to plan band practice, or just passing the time (AKA procrastinating) by watching Netflix, reading poetry, or drawing.

DN: What keeps you going when things get tough in the business?

AN: I have major ups and downs all the time. I honestly just think about how I can only imagine myself doing music as a career. There’s no other choice!

If this is the life I chose, then I’ll have to keep working and working to make that dream come true.

DN: What’s next for you? New music?

AN: Yes! I’m so excited, because me and my bandmates have been writing a concept album for a few months! Not to give too much away, but we’re trying to write an album centering around the thoughts and identities of different people from a small, suburban village. There are a bunch of different stories to be told on this album, and I think it’ll be really interesting to watch it unfold. I’m also planning on getting this album professionally recorded and mixed, which is a first for Dead Boyfriend! So stay tuned! We’re still in the writing process as of now.

Photo by Thomas Tanner @thomas.o.tanner

DN: Please list your website and/or your social media platforms.

AN: Our website is deadboyfriend666.carrd.co Our Instagram is @mydeadboyfriend and we even have a TikTok! Which is @deadboyfriendband

DN: What’s better, singing karaoke or singing in the shower?

AN: Definitely the shower! The acoustics in there? Phenomenal.

DN: What’s your all time favorite song lyric?

AN: What a tough question!! I’m stuck between picking an Amanda Palmer or Fiona Apple song, because they’re both absolute musical geniuses in my eyes, but I think I’ll go with this very simple line from, Fiona Apple’s ‘Sullen Girl’: ‘But it’s calm under the waves, in the blue of my oblivion’ Sullen Girl is one of my favorite Fiona Apple tracks. It’s about a really dark subject, and the emotions that come with it. The feeling of drowning and isolation in that song is portrayed so well, especially by the lyrics.

DN: Is there anything else you’d like us to know about you?

AN: I’m a virgo/libra cusp, aquarius moon. That usually explains a lot. Hehe

Also, my band’s latest album is on every major streaming platform right now! It’s called Strangers Forever! Give it a listen, I’m sure you’ll find something you’ll like on there!