Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Ashtyn Barbaree
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
My earliest music memory is my mom singing to me. She wrote a song where each year I got older, she added a new line about whatever I was into at the time. It made music feel incredibly personal and special from the very beginning.
Another early memory, probably around kindergarten, was being absolutely convinced that my mom’s friend Jeffrey was a member of The Beatles. He would sing “When I’m 64,” and when we watched Yellow Submarine, I was certain one of the characters had to be him. It was my first taste of how magical music could feel.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
I’ve always been surrounded by music. My mom played guitar and piano when I was young, and she was close friends with several touring musicians. Because of that, I grew up on side stages, in sound booths, and in auditorium seats starting in elementary school. I remember writing little songs even as a kid, long before I understood what songwriting really was. Being immersed in that world so early made creating music feel very comfortable and natural, almost like another language I was learning without realizing it.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
My current music project is simply under my own name, which reflects how personal it is. I write all of the songs myself, and the project has grown into a collaborative space where some of my favorite local musicians join me in a rotating lineup. It keeps the sound vibrant and evolving while staying rooted in my own stories and perspective.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music
before?
I’d describe my sound as a blend of Americana, alt-country, and indie folk. It has an intimate singer-songwriter feel with ethereal vocals and emotional storytelling. If you imagine something in the space between Mazzy Star, Nanci Griffith, Waxahatchee, Joanna Newsom, and Fiona Apple, you’ll be close to the world my music lives in.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
One thing that completely changed the way I make music was learning to revise and reshape my songs. When I wrote my first EP, I finished every song in a single sitting with no rewrites or adjustments. Later, when I started taking vocal lessons with Bonnie Montgomery, she pointed out that many of my songs were sitting right in my vocal break. She suggested raising them a half step or even a whole step, and I was surprised by how something that had felt challenging suddenly became much easier and more expressive once the key changed. That opened my eyes to how small musical adjustments can make a huge difference.
Co-writing also changed my process. Everyone approaches songwriting differently, and those sessions taught me the value of brainstorming and staying flexible. Some songs begin with a melody, others with a theme, and sometimes a full verse comes to me while I am driving. There is no single correct way to write. Now I do a lot of free writing and idea gathering so I always have material to pull from when a song gets stuck.
Learning to revise, experiment, and stay open to different creative starting points has made my writing more intentional and more fun.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
I always have paper and pen, and I usually write on guitar or piano. Those are my go-to instruments, though I have experimented on others. I also keep a portable tape recorder in my office or use an Iphone voice memo so I don’t forget melodies, bridges, or small ideas as they come.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
Some I’ve been listening to a lot include Ken Pomeroy, Jobi Riccio, Danny Malone, Angela Autumn, and Khruangbin.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
My personal experiences influence every song I write. Even when I’m writing for a specific project, like NPR Arts & Letters, I draw from places I know firsthand or from the empathy I feel while watching the people I love navigate their own experiences. That perspective shapes both the stories I tell and the emotional honesty I aim for in my music.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
I hope listeners feel honesty, connection, and a sense of reflection. I want my songs to offer both comfort and resonance, capturing the ups and downs of life in a way people can relate to.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
The most important lesson music has taught me is that your sound and your voice are things you develop over time. Not many start out fully formed or perfect, and the process of growing, experimenting, and finding your own approach is just as important as the final product.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
Tønder Festival (Denmark)
TakeRoot Festival (Netherlands)
Kilkenny Roots Festival (Ireland)
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
If I could collaborate with any artist, it would be Waxahatchee. I love how expressive her voice is emotionally, and I admire her songwriting and storytelling.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
Website: https://www.ashtynbarbaree.com
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1dwLVo1q4muoE9I0NAlYIJ?si=43YWL_-fRJmg71PC4H_bMQ
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missashtyn
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ashtynbarbaree
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/ashtynbarbaree
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/ashtyn-barbaree/1362831851
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical
journey?
Looking ahead, I would love to play more listening room shows and festivals, open for artists whose work I admire, continue growing as a songwriter, and release more music that connects with people. My goal is to keep expanding both the reach and depth of my music while staying true to my voice.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
I hope listeners discover my honesty and vulnerability, and the personal stories and emotions that shape my music.
