Ashaine White | 5 Minutes With

Sitting on London’s central line, Ashaine White caught up with Noctis ahead of her headline show as she finished the last rehearsal. “You literally couldn’t wipe the smile off my face,” she proclaimed as she talked about savouring every moment of being an artist.

With the release of Ashaine White’s newest single, ‘I Sing To Myself,’ she has proven her unmatched musicality entangled with a level of relatable vulnerability. ‘I Sing To Myself’ packages White’s feelings of urgency and frustration over unfairness in the current political climate.

Teasing a new EP coming in the New Year, Ashaine White reflected on her latest project, ‘Cause For Concern,’ written from parts of her inner child. In our conversation, she shared the backstory of her first gig at the Royal Albert Hall, her comfort artists, and her plans.

You just played a headline show at London’s Colours. How do you usually prepare for a show?

The boys in the band and I just got together for a few hours of rehearsal. It’s always so much fun being as loud as possible in a rehearsal room and getting back into the groove of things. I like things to feel real, live, and relaxed, so we really just have a good time outlining things and getting excited to play.

Do you remember the first time you performed?

I do! My first ever gig was at the Royal Albert Hall. (Haha, I know, what a first gig!) I was 8 years old and was picked to do a solo with a choir. Surprisingly, I wasn’t at all nervous. I don’t think you really know what nerves are at that age. I literally haven’t left the stage since. We manifest being back there for a sold-out show in the future – call it a homecoming?

Would you say there is a difference between how you approach a live show now versus when you first started performing?

I don’t think so! I still approach playing live like the 8-year-old girl who was just excited to do what she loved, whether there were people there or not. Live performance is one of my favourite parts of the job (if you can call it that, haha), so I savour every moment. You literally couldn’t wipe the smile off my face!

Your new single ‘I Sing To Myself’ is out now. It’s beautiful, but you can really hear the pain and despair in your voice. Would you mind elaborating on when it hit you and how the song came pouring out of you?

Thank you so much. Honestly, I’d had a day at home and was scrolling on social media, catching up on the news, all while trying to decide who to vote for, not being able to afford anything, but feeling the need and urgency to donate to and advocate for the victims of genocides, funded by my taxpayer money, by the people running for government. It was all too much. Feeling helpless, I think, can only be helped by having a second to put your thoughts and feelings out in front of you, lay them out, and try to understand them. That’s what “I Sing To Myself” is – me laying them out, looking at them, and finding a way to regroup and carry on.

When you’re feeling down and frustrated, is it your instinct to turn to music and songwriting?

I think so. It’s cliché, but writing really is a form of therapy – not my only form, but definitely a front-runner in helping me understand the world around me more.

Who are your comfort artists, the artists you listen to when you need a pick-me-up or a sense of understanding?

I listen to a lot of the same timeless albums and songs. A good singing voice is never a miss. I’ll put on some of the vocal jazz greats – Nina Simone, Betty Carter, Sarah Vaughan, Chet Baker. Or failing that, something loud and thrashy to just let it all out. Three of my faves being Grace by Jeff Buckley, The Bends by Radiohead, and of course Nevermind by Nirvana.

What were the main things you wanted to get off your chest on your latest EP Cause For Concern?

Cause For Concern was written from parts of my inner child, reflecting on things that, to be truthful, have pissed me off, but as I’ve grown, I’ve learned to look back on them and see the lessons from. From my angsty teenage annoyance, turned into an understanding of my mum’s fears of letting me go in “Hotel,” to my warnings that mundanity will bring nothing good in “Brace Yourself,” all while asking to be left alone on the bathroom floor in “The End” – it’s my way of showing people where my ability to understand, and be the bigger person, starts and ends.

Is there a full-length project in the works? What music are you working on at the moment?

There’s an EP coming in the new year. It’s so exciting and marks the next era of Ashaine White. Get ready! In the meantime, there’s a growing back catalogue already out, which I’m super proud of! Album next???

What are some things you have on your career bucket list?

Definitely an album, a tour, a few festivals, and loads more opportunities to connect with people who love new sounds and live music.