Ashley Puckett is an amazing new country artist based out of Pittsburgh, adding a modern twist to an old genre. I really enjoyed her song Tequila and wanted to find out more about Ashley! Read our interview below to see how we got on!

By Jane Howkins

You recently released a track titled Tequila, which we reviewed. What can you tell us about the song?

This song was written at a time of uncertainty and desperation of sorts – really just at a time of wanting to give up on love. It’s a song about a girl having a conversation with her glass or shot of tequila, kind of talking to herself through some stuff going on. And as liquor does what it does, you hear the story play out by the end of the song. It’s very traditional country with my favorite – lots of steel guitar. It’s a fun bar song and a different take on drinking alone.

How has the reception been for Tequila, and where can it be purchased?

So far it’s been great! It’s a fun listening song and a lot of people say it’s catchy and sticks with you, so I’m really happy to hear the feedback so far. You can purchase on any platform, Amazon Music, Apple Music, iTunes, etc.

Do you plan to release any more singles in the near future?

I believe so, yes. I have one more under my sleeve that I had wrote earlier this year, and I’m excited to share that one in the future.

Are there any plans to release an EP or album?

I hope to be able to have a follow up album to Never Say Never one day. At the present moment, however, I’m still trying to get this album heard along with the new one, Tequila, so that fans get a taste of my writing too.

Has the pandemic hindered your work much?

It definitely did. I released my debut album Never Say Never in February 2020, one month before the shutdowns. So for me, the ‘hit the road running’ I had planned out was nothing like I pictured. But there were some positive outcomes with artists connecting more with their fans in different ways, so I’ve just been trying to take that and make it work for me.

Your music has quite a country music sound. What/who influences you most as an artist? What have you been listening to recently?

I have a lot of influences starting with Carol King, Leann Rimes, Lee Ann Womack, Jo Dee Messina, Miranda Lambert and a few others.

I love to listen to music all the time and lately have been listening to a lot of Chris Stapleton, Josh Groban, Kelsea Bellerini, Miranda Lambert, and Runaway June.

How do you compose your songs? What’s the process like?

My writing process is really all over the place. Some days inspiration just comes to me, and I record or write down melodies or lyrics, and at other times I have songs that sit unfinished for a long time. But everything usually stems from real life, whether it’s something I’ve been through or I’m going through, or something I’ve seen. I try to be as open to the world and what’s around me all the time and in return, I get a lot of inspiration when I least expect it.

Where are you based? What is the local music scene like?

I’m still living in Pittsburgh, PA. I really do love our music scene here. It’s so diverse. There’s all kinds of music genres everywhere depending on your mood, as well as lots of local hidden talent.

Do you have any UK tour dates lined up?

I wish! I’ve never been to the UK, but one day I hope to change that.

Any last words for the fans?

Thank you for your continued support for everyone involved making my music journey what it’s been so far, and for preparing it for what it will be down the road. The only reason I keep getting opportunities to move forward each day in the music business is because of all of you! So, thank you!