A Chat with Lauren Ash (02.09.25)
Unfiltered, unguarded, brutally honest, and louder than ever, singer-songwriter Lauren Ash wins your heart with high-voltage melodies, moving lyricism and a cheeky grin. We speak with the US-based musician about her debut album, Call Me When You Get This, upcoming plans, and more.
OSR: Your music is a kind of celebratory pop/punk. Who were some of your favourite artists growing up?
Ash: In terms of the pop-punk and punk music I listened to growing up, Blink 182 was always my number one fave. I also really loved Gob, Bigwig, The Used, Hole, Bif Naked, No Doubt, Green Day, and The Offspring. I could likely list bands forever! lol
OSR: You’ve described your sound as “if Gwen Stefani fronted Blink 182”. Would you still go along with that?
Ash: A friend actually said this to me after hearing my songs for the first time, and I thought, “Wow. That’s a huge compliment!” I think Gwen definitely has a signature vocal style that is different from mine, but in terms of energy and vibe, I think it’s a pretty accurate description. Blink 182 has been my favourite band since I was about 14, so I’m certain that there are influences of theirs you can hear in my music. And truthfully, I really idolised Gwen Stefani and Courtney Love when I was a kid. It’s literally why I dyed my hair blonde a few years ago!
OSR: How therapeutic was it for you to write an album about your own breakup? Have you found recording healing?
Ash: It was a very therapeutic process for me, but I think, in general, the concept of healing is an interesting one. I do think that creating these songs helped me process some of what I was going through. But am I fully “healed” now? No. I don’t think this is something I will ever truly get over. I don’t think you ever fully heal from grief; I think you just learn how to live with it over time. That being said, I think it’s going to be very cathartic to get to play all of these songs live on my tour this fall. I played a show in Hamilton, Ontario, a few months ago and hearing a room full of people singing along to ‘Cool Story Bro’ felt like the best revenge for that breakup ever.
OSR: ‘Whiplash’ must be another very personal track to you, which is about a car accident you had. In a way, are you happy you’ve had these experiences, as they’ve inspired you to write?
Ash: Honestly? Probably not. Haha I mean, I’m making lemonade out of lemons for sure. But if I could have saved myself going through the car accident or the breakup, I would have. Don’t get me wrong, I’m very proud of the art I’ve created as a result of those experiences, but yeah, I don’t know. I think I could have created great art about past pains I’ve been through too. Lol.
OSR: I really adore the clever lyrics to ‘Cool Story Bro!’ They are so full of venom, but you save the hard-hitting line to the end: “the dogs hate you too”. Do you agree it’s far worse to not have a dog’s love than to not have a human’s?
Ash: ABSOLUTELY! My inspiration for writing that song was to think of all the things you’d love to say to someone who hurt you, but never actually would because they’re just too mean. And when I was trying to think of the meanest thing that I could say, that was definitely what came to mind. It’s like when a parent says, “I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed”. It hits different thinking that a dog could hate you! The biggest insult of all!
OSR: Do you have any friends in the music industry that you’ve picked up any pointers from?
Ash: I have been exceptionally lucky to have found a circle of amazing musician friends that have welcomed me into their world. I was so nervous that people would think I was a fraud and would have some resentment towards me coming into music when I’m already a successful actor. But I was so wrong! People have been really supportive and encouraging. I’m so grateful that I have been able to surround myself with such great energy. And I absolutely take all the pointers and advice I can get. Especially from the other women I’ve met. It’s still such a male-dominated industry, I love that women really like to look out for one another in the midst of it all.
OSR: Which of the tracks you’ve made up to now are you most proud of and why?
Ash: I’m definitely most proud of ‘Diet Coke’ and ‘Lexapro’. It’s something that is extremely personal to me lyrically and also is quite different musically from everything else I’ve written. I wrote this when I was in the initial throes of my breakup. I have an anxiety disorder, and the pain I was going through with the split had made my anxiety become unbearable to the point that it was affecting my ability to function day to day. My doctor put me on Lexapro, and I remember taking a dose one morning with a can of Diet Coke and feeling like “these are the only things that are going to get me through today”. I wanted to capture that feeling musically. I almost feel like the song has a dreamy quality to it. The sound off the top, almost feeling like you’re underwater. I felt like I was underwater at that time. I really feel like that song embodies the emotions I felt (and was trying not to feel) at the time.
OSR: What are your hopes for the release of Call Me When You Get This?
Ash: I really hope that the album gets the attention of new listeners. Up until now, I have released a series of singles that have done fairly well, but this album really represents me as an artist and a human. I’m not hiding behind a character like I do on TV shows; I’m showing everyone who I am. I hope that it resonates with others.
OSR: What can we expect from you in the future?
Ash: I’m hitting the road for a 10-day Canadian tour in Ontario and Quebec through October and November! We’ve put together a REALLY fun live show and I can’t wait to share it with people! 2026 will bring more new music and hopefully more touring, so stay tuned to my socials for updates! Also, catch me hosting Halloween Bakeshop on Flavour Network in Canada starting Sept 14!
OSR: Do you have a message for our readers?
Ash: Thanks for taking the time to read! I hope my story may inspire you to pursue a dream that you have told yourself you shouldn’t for some reason. It’s never too late!
Many thanks to Lauren Ash for speaking with us. Find out more about Lauren Ash on her official website, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
