Johnny Ashby is a British singer/songwriter based in Los Angeles, California. Ashby found a love for music through his Dad’s mixtapes. As a teen, he played guitar in various bands and after leaving college, stepped into the session world. Deciding to move to California with nothing but a suitcase full of clothes, a guitar he built himself and dreams of playing the legendary Troubadour, the songwriter dove in headfirst and has not looked back since.
His music is soaked in sincerity and authenticity, giving us a calm and meticulously produced indie pop soundscape. Ashby’s influences such as The Lumineers, Noel Gallagher and John Mayer come rushing through, which he blends with ambient, ethereal sounds and guitar playing reminiscent of Radiohead, as well as the effortlessly cool, laid-back feel of Chet Faker. His sound is flooded with haunting but warm strings, familiar, acoustic, rhythmic strums, punchy drums and Ashby’s rich vocals which dance alongside gorgeous backing harmonies. Written and co-produced with Sebastian Fritze, Fredrik Eriksson and Bill Delia from the band Grizfolk, there is both tragedy, euphoria and fun mixed in, but with an overwhelming sense of the importance of living life to the fullest.
“On My Way” automatically speeds up your musical pulse with the brisk, alive rhythm that is foot-tapping heaven. “Ever since you smiled at me I lost my mind,” pointing to the irresistibility of the person he sings about. The catchy melodies and pulsing heartbeat of the track oozes excitement and nervousness with the rhythmic guitar and tambourine shimmers, everything about the resolving melodies and dynamics is super intoxicating. Ashby spills, “I pieced all these lyrics together after finding an old postcard from my grandmother. I was stressing lots at the time and she wrote me this letter.
Ashby’s music has garnered acclaim from numerous publications and playlists, as well as support on radio both in the UK and the US. He’s played the prestigious Troubadour in Los Angeles multiple times and his songs have been featured on primetime television for shows including Grey’s Anatomy, Shameless, Pretty Little Liars, Elementary, Rise, Baywatch, ITV’s Finding Alice, Teen Mom and Midnight In Texas.
