Ashleigh Flynn

Artist Information

Biography

Called “the darling of the NW Americana scene,” by the Village Voice, Ashleigh Flynnburst on to the national scene in 2008 with the release of her third record, American Dream; which has received great reviews from press and her heroes alike!

"AshleighFlynn represents the next generation oftrue songwriters. She reminds me of myself and I think she is so brave to comeout on stage with just her voice and her guitar. Her songs are wonderful and her voice is like an angel. She rules!" - Nanci Griffith, April 2010

“One of my favorite peopleto perform with and hang out with, AshleighFlynn’s lyrics are smart, she’s got a voice full of soul and she knowshow to handle a crowd.” -Todd Snider, 2009

"Her latest releasemakes it clear that she's got the natural vocal soulfulness separating thecontenders from the pretenders...[Flynn's]American Dream is true blue Americana." – PASTE Magazine, May 2008


“Authentic, smart, touching, funny, engaging, memorable, and enough personality for three performers.”
— WFPK, 2009

"Her latest release makes it clear that she's got the natural vocal soulfulness separating the contenders from the pretenders....[Flynn's] American Dream is true blue Americana."
— PASTE Magazine, May 2008
 
"Possessing vocals graced with other worldly clarity, it's tempting to call Ashleigh Flynn Americana's answer to Norah Jones.  That comparison, however, hardly describes Flynn's genuinely compelling storytelling."
— Performing Songwriter, July/August 2008

"I haven't been knocked out by a female songwriter like this since I first encountered a young Patty Griffin or Nanci Griffith."
— Jambase, 2008 High Sierra Review

Notable Performances:
2011 30A Festival
2011 Gamble Rogers Festival
2011 Telluride Americana Festival
2008 Bumbershoot Festival
2008 High Sierra Music Festival
2007 High Sierra Music Festival
2007 Boston Pops Edgefest
2007 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival

Recent Accolades:
2009 Eddie’s Attic Semi Annual Open Mic Finalist
2008 Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Emerging Artist Showcase
2007 International Acoustic Music Awards finalist
2007 International Song Contest Semifinalist
2007 Ourstage.com #1 Song in Americana, Acoustic, Solo
2006 Wildflower Music Festival Performing Songwriters Competition

Instrumentation

Flynn plays solo or with the following accompaniment:
Ashleigh - lead vocals + guitar
Multi- Instrumentalist - dobor, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, acoustic/electric guitar, pedal steel
Percussion/Drum kit
Bass

Discography

American Dream - 2008
Live at Mississippi Studios - 2006
Chokecherry - 2002
Ashleigh Flynn -1999

Visit ashleighflynn.net to look and listen.

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace

Audio

• New_Angel_In_Heaven_Final
  Listen   Download
• American Dream
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• Devil's Pass
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• Knock on Wood
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• Dressed and Ready
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• Mystery
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• Last Chance Saloon
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• Much to Proud - Live from Eddie's Attic_0
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• goodbyetennessee- ashdemo
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Lyrics

• A Million Stars
• Devil’s Pass
• The 7th Sea
• Knock on Wood
• Everything
• Deep River Hollow
• Dressed and Ready
• Mystery
• New Angel in Heaven
• Much Too Proud

Video

Ashleigh Flynn rehearsing ISA @ Mississippi Studios with Sneakin' Out

Photo Gallery

Press

• RECENT CHATTER -2010 [+ Show ]
  

  "Ashleigh Flynn represents the next generation of true songwriters. Her songs are wonderful and her ..."Ashleigh Flynn represents the next generation of true songwriters. Her songs are wonderful and her voice like an angel. She rules!" Nanci Griffith, 2010
  
  “One of my favorite people to perform and hang out with is Ashleigh Flynn from Oregon. Her lyrics are smart, she’s got a voice full of soul, and she knows how to handle a crowd.” Todd Snider, 2009
  
  "Her latest release makes it clear that she’s got the natural vocal soulfulness separating the contenders from the pretenders – Flynn’s American Dream is true blue Americana.” PASTE Magazine, 2008
  
  “Authentic, smart, fun, funny, engaging, memorable, and enough personality for three performers…If you want to impress your friends by turning them on to a new artist, say 'Ashleigh Flynn' then sit back and accept the accolades.” Michael Young, Roots n' Boots DJ, WFPK Louisville 91.9 FM - 2009
  
  "Vocals graced with other-worldy clarity & genuinely compelling storytelling…" Performing Songwriter, 2008
  
  “One of Jambase’s finds… Ashleigh Flynn, who hums with the same undeniable power and naked talent as young Joni Mitchell, Ani Difranco, and other(s) who have put their stamp on modern popular songwriting.” Jambase, 2009
  
  “How would country music sound if it were mixed gleefully with rootsy Americana and modal Appalachian harmonies by a honey voiced songwriter who left her native Kentucky for Portland OR? Darned Good if that songwriter is Ashleigh Flynn.” Sing Out, 2009
  
  
  

• Paste Magazine, May 2008 - EMERGENT [+ Show ]
  

  "Her latest release makes it clear that she's got the natural vocal soulfulness separating the conte..."Her latest release makes it clear that she's got the natural vocal soulfulness separating the contenders from the pretenders....[Flynn's] American Dream is true blue Americana." - PASTE Magazine, May 2008
  
  See website for full article.

• Flynn Press Snippets 2002-2008 [+ Show ]
  

  2008 american dream “flynn’s best: a soulful croon best described as a gold plated gift from beyond...2008 american dream
  “flynn’s best: a soulful croon best described as a gold plated gift from beyond, a songwriters eye for detail, melodic and hook-filled…”
  - the oregonian
  
  “the true triumph is flynn's mastery of her own voice, the most satisfying rootsy gal album to come out of pdx since 2002...”
  -willamette week
  
  “on her third studio album, american dream, local songbird ashleigh flynn veers into poppier territory with great results.”
  - portland tribune
  
  “not only does flynn craft fine songs and possess the pitch-perfect voice, in person she is funny, charming, and flexible.”
  -the register guard
  
  “the key element is flynn's poetic lyricism and her unvarnished voice...”
  -eugene weekly
  
  “ashleigh flynn’s soulful music is a great escape from the usual. For those of you looking for something new and beautiful, this kentucky woman is your ticket.”
  -la cityzine frontpage!
  
  2007-2006 troubadouring
  “country/americana @ bonnaroo - ashleigh flynn has sweet pure vocals that gave her audience a much – needed dose of honey.”
  -treblezine.com
  
  “ashleigh flynn @ nxne - roots worth investigating!”
  – the toronto star
  
  “ashleigh flynn is somebody you are undoubtedly going to want to hear …full of soul, flynn’s voice is flawless."
  - boston bay windows
  
  “7th day acoustic residency: ashleigh flynn – pdx songsmith brings her intimate, country inflected tunes to pianos in support of her new cd – live @ mississippi studios.”
  –time out ny
  
  
  portland’s premiere singer/songwriter is heading east to play a regular month-long gig @ pianos nyc. Flynn’s new album features her smoky vocals and insightful songwriting…
  - gonyc
  
  2005 live at mississippi studios:
  “flynn comes by her creative pedigree honestly. Her bottom lines for this album were to: “have fun, do songs you love”. Judging by finished album, it appears that these edicts were all she needed to get by.”
  - the oregonian
  
  “edgy female songwriter - flynns roots run deep! A fortuitous musical marriage -ashleigh flynn and sneakin’ out mutual musical invention shines...”
  - willamette week
  
  2004-2002 chokecherry press
  "ashleigh flynn - a darling of the nw americana scene…”
  - the village voice
  
  flynn is an amazing artist with immense talents - not the least her magnetic voice that holds great promise for the future."
  -ink19.com
  
  ashleigh flynn's vocals are the focus, make no mistake, that jewel of a voice."
  - the oregonian
  
  Ashleigh flynn writes poppy feel-good music with brains, without missing a beat. She's a wonderful songwriter and musician who's sure to please a crowd.
  -willamette week
  
  "ashleigh flynn, kentucky angel shines with national debut!"
  - women who rock
  
  "a kentucky girl with an adventurous sonic sensibility."
  - sing out
  
  "there’s a breathy ache in ashleigh flynn’s husky voice. Chokecherry is peppy pop with an off-kilter slant...”
  - santa monica mirror
  
  

• Pop Music Review: Ashleigh Flynn [+ Show ]
  

  Review: Ashleigh Flynn Posted by Luciana Lopez April 07, 2007 00:07AM Categories: Reviews Jet lag...Review: Ashleigh Flynn
  Posted by Luciana Lopez April 07, 2007 00:07AM
  Categories: Reviews
  Jet lag might have made some of her between-song banter a little loopy, but even a brutal flight and touring schedule didn't keep singer-songwriter Ashleigh Flynn from sounding on top of her game on Friday night at Mississippi Studios.
  
  Flynn started out her set singing and playing guitar and harmonica on her own, but was soon joined by Jim Brunberg (the venue's owner) on upright bass and Annalisa Tornfelt on violin for a solid set of country-tinged folk-rock.
  
  Though the three played well together, it was unquestionably Flynn who took center stage, and particularly her singing. Her voice was flexible and supple, and carried songs from the gently introspective to the rollickingly carefree.
  
  Yet if her songs were sometimes weighty, her personality and stage presence were consistently light and engaging, even when a tour schedule that included playing in New York, Boston and Vancouver, B.C. took its toll (as when she tried to recount the news of a recent political resignation in Washington, D.C.). But she turned even her stumbles to her advantage: When she forgot the words to one song, she laughingly admitted the error and hummed until she could get back into the lyrics.
  
  The venue itself helped, as well: Mississippi Studios has fantastic sound quality, and the room is small enough that the sense of intimacy wasn't merely a clever illusion (when someone in the audience sneezed at one point, Flynn replied, "Bless you").
  
  Flynn's constitution will need to hold up a little longer, as she was slated for a red-eye back to the East Coast for a show in Massachusetts. If her performance on Friday was any indication, though, that shouldn't be a problem for her.
  

• OurStage at Bonnaroo [+ Show ]
  

  by Anna Gazdowicz - OurStage, a 100% democratic online music competition, brought their three wi...by Anna Gazdowicz -
  
  OurStage, a 100% democratic online music competition, brought their three winners to Bonnaroo this year to perform intimate acoustic sets for festival-goers. One of the winners, Ashleigh Flynn, whose lovely country/Americana set and sweet, pure vocals gave her audience a much-needed dose of honey, was nice enough to answer a few questions about her experience with OurStage and her overall music career:
  
  1) Can you tell me a little about your experience with the OurStage competition? How you became involved in the first place, how it's been since then, etc.?
  
  I was invited to participate in OURSTAGE by Jay Sweet - editor at large for PASTE Magazine - which is my FAVORITE! I started to dally in songwriting in college which is where Jay and I met. Used to perform on friends porches and such. Had lots of fun. Since then I have produced 3 CD's and have started touring in the last two years more nationally. Jay and I recently reconnected, he seemed to dig my songs and off I went. OURSTAGE has provided me with an exceptional opportunity to put my stuff out there among folks like me, and lo and behold I've been bubbling up to the top of the pot (top ten) each month since it started. As a result, I have gotten some coverage in PASTE, been invited to both Bonnaroo and to the Edgefest with the Cowboy Junkies w/ Boston Pops...and hopefully more to come as things are still going well on the OURSTAGE site. My tune SELKIE is in the top ten for Acoustic as we speak...
  
  2) How was your overall experience at Bonnaroo? I caught most of your performance, and it was just lovely!
  
  Bonnaroo was a blast. OURSTAGE styled me...saw some great music, all the BBQ and beers I could muster (once I figured out that they had given me a backstage pass....) Also, I happily rekindled my relationship with the southern summer (I grew up in Kentucky) - 95 degrees Fahrenheit at noon....but the drought in the SE is massive...so the dust was NUTS.... Next time I go I am intendin' to play the which, what, this or that stage with my band...but that's another story!
  
  3) What are your upcoming plans as a musician? Tour, album, etc.?
  
  My upcoming plans are many...mostly just world domination in the most benevolent sense. I am putting a new (my 4th) record out late fall/early winter...planning on it being my first MASTERPIECE! Will be a record for everyone...full of hope, a little sorrow, and lots of fun - America at its best and worst.... Going to Europe in the Autumn...then hitting the road in a big way to give what feels like my little baby a proper introduction to the world.
  
  You can check Ashleigh out at www.ashleighflynn.net.
  

• Check out Ashleigh Flynn - American Dream [+ Show ]
  

  Ashleigh Flynn - American Dream Home Perm Records From Scott Sexton, for About.com There is a...Ashleigh Flynn - American Dream
  Home Perm Records
  From Scott Sexton, for About.com
  
  
  There is a new artist that needs to be introduced to the world. She is more Americana than she is country, but everyone needs to become familiar with her amazing voice. Ashleigh Flynn is starting to get some recognition for her awesome songwriting skills, and killer tunes. Her latest album American Dream is a journey through life that can only be told by someone who's experienced the ups and downs that are thrown in our paths.
  
  If you enjoy hearing songs about life's lessons and forks in the road, you will love Americana's latest sensation Ashleigh Flynn. Her voice is as beautiful as she is, but at the same time, it's very raw and down to earth.
  On this album, there is no subject left out. Home Perm Records truly discovered a diamond in the rough when they came across Ashleigh. She is not only an awesome musician, but she's a fantastic songwriter. She wrote all ten songs, and the outcome is timeless. The music that makes up each song is phenomenal. You can expect to hear all sorts of instruments in the back ground. You have the mandolin, steel and acoustic guitar, violin, and banjo that can be heard throughout the recordings, but then you have the untraditional trumpets and organs throughout as well. The mixture of these instruments is perfect and nothing is out of place.
  
  If you're a fan of lyrics, they are included inside the CD as well. The album cover is rather unique. It's completely red, with just her name in the middle, a boot above it and the album name below it. Very simple, yet classic. She hails from Portland, Oregon, but was born in Kentucky. Ashleigh Flynn may be a new comer to the national audience, but to anyone who has heard her, we are just waiting for everyone else to catch up.
  
  The first track off this album is "Dressed & Ready." Its acoustic sound is amazing, but its meaning is much deeper. The song is about a break up that's hit her harder that she expected. Part of the song says "you came in here dressed and ready for the fight, you come into my house, your forgetting me tonight." It's those kinds of lyrics that make Ashleigh so unique. She is blessed with a talent that most people only dream of. I think that when she started writing some of these songs she was at a low point in her life. Many of the songs are dark, and zero in on some spoiled relationships. Being a fan of darker music made this an added bonus.
  "The Seventh Sea" seems to be a point of acceptance. The music is livelier, and there is a different sound in her voice. This song is awesome from start to finish.
  
  The title track is another tune that carries a heavy meaning. It's about different things that we see people doing, like fishing in a river next to a factory and thinking the water is clean. The song ends with one question. "Down here in New Orleans, where's our American dream?" This tune will make you think.
  
  "Last Chance Saloon" is an awesome song that shows a different side of Ashleigh. It's a tune about a hidden romance and dancing until the morning light.
  
  Ashleigh Flynn is a rare, refreshing treat that you don't hear everyday. It doesn't matter what kind of musical style you prefer, give her a chance. You won't regret it!
  
  
  

• Performing Songwriter - American Dream Review July/Aug 2008 [+ Show ]
  

  Ashleigh Flynn American Dream Featured Download: "Mystery" MP3 Possessing vocals graced with ...Ashleigh Flynn
  American Dream
  Featured Download: "Mystery" MP3
  
  Possessing vocals graced with an otherworldly clarity, it’s tempting to call Ashleigh Flynn Americana’s answer to Norah Jones. That comparison, however, hardly describes Flynn’s genuinely compelling storytelling. Begun with her hushed invocation “Don’t hear nothin’ on my radio,” Dream is a recognition of something lost yet somehow kept. Every melodic turn bears wondrous touches, from old-fashioned typewriter percussion (“Knock on Wood”) to her title track’s slow-mo banjo and boozy trumpet solo. Whether basking playfully (“Mystery”), rocking on a pop sparkler (“Evangeline”) or issuing a jaunty farewell (“The 7th Sea”), Dream finds Flynn joyously awake in her essential truth. —GG
  
  

• 2008 High Sierra Review - Jambase [+ Show ]
  

  JamBase, High Sierra Review Sunday opened with Ashleigh Flynn and the Killdeer Orchestra under ...JamBase, High Sierra Review
  
  
  Sunday opened with Ashleigh Flynn and the Killdeer Orchestra under the Vaudeville Tent charming the sun from its hiding place in the night. Some of the finest singer-songwriter stuff these ears have heard in a few years, Flynn and her boys (Portland's wonderful acoustic explorers Sneakin' Out under a new guise) beguiled a smiling audience that grew steadily throughout their set, drawing in passersby with the sheer fineness of their picking, singing and composition. Seriously, I haven't been knocked back by a female songwriter like this since I first encountered a young Patty Griffin or Nanci Griffith. Flynn's uncommonly real tales possess an amazing eye for detail that situates one in the moment and captures all the small things we miss as life unfolds but ultimately prove to be the most important aspects of our experiences. Like the best outsiders, she captures all the ache of waiting on the sidelines as the pretty people glide across the dance floor, so much more graceful and beloved than we will ever be. Combine that fantastic raw material with a full-bodied, womanly voice and collaborators that tucked subtle, inspired complications into what can be well-worn territory and you had one of the festival's highlight this year. And their facility for quietly upending traditionals like "Rocky Top" and "Will The Circle Be Unbroken?" (carried along by typewriter percussion!) added icing to what was already a real joy. I will be seeking out Flynn's new album, American Dream, forthwith. -- Dennis Cook
  ***
  
  

Setlist

7th Sea
Hazard County
Deep River Hollow
Everything
Isa
Devil's Pass
Chokecherry
Mournful Serenade
Barrow
Selkie
Maybe Not
Evermore
+ more

Covers:
Rocky Top - Osborne Bros/Felice Bryant
This is Nowhere - Neil Young
Circle Be Unbrkoen - Carter Sisters
Tiny Dancer - Elton John

1 - 50 minute solo set
2 or 3 - 45 minute band sets

Basic Requirements

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