Ashley Condon - Interview - Apr 1/12

I was lucky enough to get the chance to ask Island-born singer/songwriter Ashley Condon a few questions about her latest show on the 8th of April at the Trailside Inn, as well as get a bit of insight on her life as a musician.  I was lucky enough to have seen Ashley play at the Company House with Ryan MacGrath last year, and I can still say that it was one of the most entertaining shows to date that I have seen!  Ashley has an amazing voice and knows her way with words and chords, not to mention is a genuinely wonderful person.  Check out the interview below:

1. Are you excited to play your show at the Trailside Inn?


- Absolutely! I have been wanting to check out the trailside since I moved back to PEI last year. I’m just thrilled that Pat and Meghann are keeping the legacy going strong. I’m also thrilled to play such a beautiful venue only 25 minutes from my house.

2. Tell me a little bit about how you started playing music?

- There are lots of great musicians in my family. My aunts and uncles used to play and sing at family gatherings when I was a little girl. My uncle showed me a few chords one night and a whole new world opened up. I took those chords and learned dozens of songs. It was really neat because last night I had my family together again playing and singing at my new home in PEI, around the fire, and I was playing along with that same uncle that showed me my first three chords. It was a really special night.

3. What is your favourite part about being a musician?

- I love connecting with people through music. There is nothing more satisfying than having someone tell me that one of my songs really helped them along a hard time and/or brought them relief or joy.

4. This year involved winning at the MPEI Awards, and now you’re playing at ECMA.  Do you have any other big happenings lined up for this year?

- Yeah, I’m getting ready to start working on a new album. I have lots of new songs that I’m really excited about. I look forward to a winter 2013 release. I’m also getting geared up for another summer as a featured artist in “Come All Ye”, a Charlottetown Festival production that plays at The Mack six nights a week all summer long. We have an incredible cast and I’m so lucky to get to celebrate Prince Edward Island through song and story.

5. What song would you describe as being the anthem of your life?

- I wrote a song just before I moved back to PEI last year called “Going To The Country” and I consider it the anthem to my life right now. It depicts, quite accurately, the ebbs and flows of my new life on PEI. My partner, Ken, and I definitely had a romanticized vision of country living and the last year has shown us that it’s a lot of work to run a home and stay connected to each other through it all. It’s been beautiful, though!

6. What is your favourite flavour of Jell-O?

- The kind with the vodka in it.

7. Final words?

- Be nice and support local artists!

I wholeheartedly hope that you can all get to the Trailside Inn to catch Ashley Condon’s set as well as Chas Guay’s.  Doors open at 7:30pm, so make sure to get there early!  You are truly in for some beautiful music!