Music allows Alaska singer Ashley Young to be fully honest with herself.
“When I was contemplating leaving my partner of six years, I was only able to admit it to myself through my music,” Young said. “I didn’t know what was making me unhappy until I started singing about it.”
Young was born and raised in Alaska, and she spent her adult life in Idaho. After being involved in six different bands, Young made the decision to start writing her own music and telling her own story — teaching herself guitar in 2020 and launching her solo project.
“I was born a performer,” she said. “I have always loved to connect to people through melody and storytelling. I have been singing since I was born and did choir all throughout school, but I started performing formally in bands when I was 18.”
Like many Alaskans, Young’s summer was jam-packed. The Łingít songwriter recently wrapped up a tour in the Pacific Northwest alongside local musicians Zane Penny and producer Husse, with shows in Anchorage, Seattle, Portland, Boise, Salt Lake City and Los Angeles. The tour comes off just after Young completed her first tour earlier this spring, when she opened for Nick Carpenter of Medium Build.
“I love to write about my real life, as if I’m journaling,” Young said. “The best part is sharing the music I’ve made in order to find who can connect to my story.”
Young has “never regretted” her decision to come back home, and says that music brought connection to her life.
“I found myself quickly surrounded by creative people … I feel seen and supported as an Indigenous artist,” Young said. “I feel loved in a community that recognizes how much we all need each other in order to survive and thrive.”
Currently, Young is working with fellow local musician Ed Washington to produce her upcoming single, which will be released at the end of fall. She is also in the process of writing an EP with Husse to record in November, featuring Tlingit musician Ya Tseen. Visuals for the project are by Connor Grasso.
“I love when people are able to heal through my music,” Young said. “That is the most rewarding part. Lately, I’ve found myself sharing personal stories most people are afraid to be open about. I hope that my writing can inspire people to be more vulnerable and honest with themselves in order to heal and grow.”
Sam Davenport is a writer residing in Anchorage. She's a leo and a plant-person, and loves spending quality time with her dog, Aspen. She is a Real Housewives fan and has been called a Bravo historian.
