ASHLYN FULTON
Interviewed by, Monica P Brice
Where do I start with this Queen?! Ashlyn is the reason that Royal Nation started! Last year at Moonrise Festival hosted by Steez I was behind the stage in the Solar Stage and I ran into her and we talked about how the show was going. She mentioned RAW and I asked her some questions on the spot about what she does, she was confident with every answer and had the most honest replies. I saw much passion and inspiration and I was so interested in what she had to say to me. She changed my life and made me feel some type of way. I am so honored that I got to do this interview with her! She is caring, sweet, loving, strong and a leader and trend setter! This interview will have you on the edge of your seat! Enjoy!
—————————————————————
Q&A
—————————————————————
1.Welcome, Ashlyn nice to have you for this interview! So you are the reason I am even interviewing you and other people in this scene and much more. But tell us, what is RAW from your point of view?
RAW stands for Real Artists’ Words and is an interview series that my friend Liz and I started because we were tired of the same boring interviews over and over. I have interviewed hundreds of artists over the last few years and the thing I hear most is that they’re sick of being asked the same questions. We like to have fun with the artists and they totally appreciate that. (And not just fun questions – we played charades with Savant!) It not only opens them up so our viewers can see the real them but, makes for entertaining and timeless content.
—————————————————————
2.Interesting I remember you saying that to me in person. I agree there with you one hundred on that! Why did you start doing what you do?
It actually kind of happened by accident. I was in the right place at the right time and started writing for Daily Beat. My passion for the music is what has fueled my fire all of these years. I know you hear the word “passion” thrown around a lot but I’ve never really known what it has truly meant until I discovered this world.
—————————————————————
3.At Moonrise when we did a private/personal interview behind the solar stage at Moonrise Festival what went through your mind?
I was stoked to be spreading the word of my new project, RAW, and thought it was really cool that you were so into it. I got a lot of great responses that weekend when talking about it!
—————————————————————
4.Hell yeah! I see how you do what you do and it changed my life completely. I can’t thank you enough for sharing that with me and answering my questions. I had no idea of what you did and I was so interested in how it all works so I could learn and do the same thing and now look where we are now. I’m interviewing you! So so many people bash on the EDM scene what do you love about EDM?
The culture that surrounds it hands down. I’ve never felt so accepted from day one. I’ve met some of my best friends and best people I know because of EDM. It’s brought me so many unique opportunities and experiences that otherwise would have been out of reach.
—————————————————————
5.I know that you told me you have been doing this for a while but when did you notice RAW taking off?
It was the weekend of Electric Adventure last year when our former producer, Laura Bo, helped us set up all these great “RAW Sessions” with several artists on the bill. They were all SO stoked to be a part of it. After we had videos with Figure, Party Favor, Victor Niglio, and now Savant under our belt, people really started to take notice.
—————————————————————
6.What advice would you give Royal Nation Empire doing what we do from your experience?
DO YOUR RESEARCH. The first thing I do when I’m coming up with questions or topics for an interview is Google “(artists name) interview.” I read and watch all their interviews to make sure what I’m asking is going to be new information to my readers.
—————————————————————
7.Interesting that’s what I do! I like checking out Your Edm for those and Insomniac they have some pretty gnarly Interviews. What have you learned from your business about interviews?
That asking where the artist got their stage name from has already been answered. Lol but seriously, no artist likes to be asked the same questions repeatedly. I feel like a lot of artists dread the whole interview process because of that reason. But it’s a part of what they do so why not make it fun? AKA RAW ;)
—————————————————————
8.What was the most difficult thing to accomplish with RAW for you?
We’re still in the relatively early stages of this series so now it’s really getting artists (and not even them sometimes but their publicists – that’s who gives the yes or no) to agree. You would think it’s a no-brainer right? A fun rather than boring interview? But they haven’t seen the half of it yet. I feel like once they start to see who is actually on board with us, it will be a much easier decision for them.
—————————————————————
9.How did you overcome it?
We’ve got a great concept, a detailed one-sheet, and some big artists under our belt now. All we can do is keep the momentum going.
—————————————————————
10.We all live on the same world and we all have a purpose. But one of the main things I would like to ask you is, what does life mean to you?
Well that’s a pretty loaded question and I’m only 28, but I guess at this point it’s just living in the moment, taking whatever comes my way while simultaneously hustling for the things I want to see happen in my life. I have a tattoo that says “One Life One Chance” and I intend on creating a life I won’t look back on and regret.
—————————————————————
11.Last year summer was Dope that when I meet you, and when I went to Miami and other huge festivals and events! This winter will be over quick before we know it are you ready for the summer?
I’m so ready for this NY winter to be over!! LolAnd yes, festival season is always a busy one and we’ve got some great things in the works already. Can’t wait to share them with you guys!
—————————————————————
12.Would you be interested in interviewing RNE?
I’d definitely be interested in setting up a RAW Session! We could come up with a great concept and chat about what you think is important in this industry.
—————————————————————
13.That’s so exciting! I would love that and we should hit a show up after! What are your plans looking like for the summer with RAW?
We’re already talking to one major NY festival and going to be reaching out to other festivals soon. Other than trying to collab with some local events and festivals, just linking up with artists that run through NYC and seeing what shenanigans we can get into!
—————————————————————
14.That’s dope, I can see the progress hard work pays off. Do you have any secrets you would like to share with us?
I’m a pretty shy, introverted person so interviews in the past have made me a little nervous but Liz is the exact opposite and the dynamic we have for RAW is amazing and makes this project a hell of a lot more comfortable.
—————————————————————
15.Last question! What genre of EDM do you prefer and why?
I’m a bass head so my genre of choice is Dubstep with Drum N Bass in close second. Plus, I only have one dance move at live shows and it’s “the headbang.” I used to be a snob but working in this industry has opened up my mind so much that I’ve grown to love so many genres. I’ll tell you the ones I just can’t with though – TechNO, Tech House, Big Room, most Trance, and Hardstyle.
Love you so much and that was one hell of an interview!
-Monica P Brice
