Pop-rock singer-songwriter Ashley Flynn (Victory Drive) opens up about her musical influences, favorite vocal range, career advice, and much more.
What first got you into music?
I come from a musical family. I am really lucky that I grew up surrounded by music. If the house was getting cleaned music was playing. If there was a family gathering guitars and instruments were gathered and everyone sang along. I was always encouraged to sing and perform.
Who are some of your influences?
James Taylor, Natalie Merchant, TOOL, Sarah McLaughlin. I have always been drawn to folk music and lyricism. TOOL is a curve ball but I love the way they tie nature and music together.
What draws you to your preferred genre?
Lyrics are the biggest draw for me. Some one sharing a piece of their life through their lens and allowing you into that vulnerable part of themselves.
Which are your favorite notes within your vocal range, and why?
My favorite notes are not something I ever really thought about, but I do love a song out of A minor, its right in range for me!
The rush you get being up there, performing always picks me up, and the crowd and their energy make all the difference.
How did you get started in the Savannah music scene?
I had a hard time breaking in here. I was playing music in New York for 10 years in an acoustic duo and came down here already in the Facebook groups searching for someone to play with. I met a guy at an Open Mic and was invited to play a gig in Bluffton with him when I was only here for 2 weeks. That wasn’t a fit for me. I answered a Facebook post looking for a lead singer for the first band I played with here and that’s what pushed me into the scene.
What goes through your mind just moments before a performance?
Most of the time I’m running from either hosting or vending at an artist market, or taking the kids to Jiu-Jitsu, so exhaustion honestly. There have been very many gigs where I have showed up totally drained and unsure how I will survive the night. The rush you get being up there, performing always picks me up, and the crowd and their energy make all the difference.
How did Victory Drive come to be?
I played with these guys for 3 years in another band. Creative differences led to a separation, and we parted ways with the other party and formed Victory Drive.
Besides the obvious answer, talk a bit about how your band got it’s name?
We wanted something recognizable. I wanted to make people go “oh yeah, I have heard of you before” … not realizing it probably was the well known Savannah road. The taxi cab symbol is a nod to myself and Mark Rehfuss, who are from NY & NJ – Victory was a driving factor but also, its a quintessential staple in Savannah which at the time our drummer and bass player were both born and raised here.
What are some of your favorite local Savannah places to play, and why?
We are really lucky to play amazing venues. I love playing the Warehouse, their staff is great and the energy is always high. Huc-A-Poos is a close second, its that same feeling of people who are really there to listen to the music and have a good time. I can honestly say we don’t have a single location that makes me go “Ugh, we have to play there.” We have amazing venues.
I know a lot of people who are musicians and don’t know of each other. I would love to see it mesh a little more.
Name a Savannah artist you’d love to collaborate with, and why?
I love me some Susanna Kennedy. She has the voice of an angel. I would love to work with her. Her talent and her personality make her someone who seems like a lot of fun to play with.
What is your favorite song to perform?
I am really loving playing Aaliyah “Are you that Somebody.” My favorite thing is taking a song that people don’t usually here a full rock band perform and making them go “no way, they are gonna play that.”
What are your thoughts on the current status of the Savannah music scene?
I think the scene is cool. One thing I notice is how disjointed it is. We all have little cliques, and I don’t thinks its intentional. I don’t think anyone is keeping anyone “out” of any singular space but there’s the metal group, the cover bands, singer-song writers, etc. and they don’t have a ton of overlap. I know a lot of people who are musicians and don’t know of each other. I would love to see it mesh a little more.
I want to make sure my kids see that no matter how old you are you can still live your dreams.
What is the best career advice you’ve been given?
Don’t take yourself to serious. I know musicians have the stereotype of having egos. I know there’s a lot of way more talented people out there. I play music because I cant imagine NOT playing music. I look around and realize I’m in a cover band playing local spots and not sold out Madison Square Garden. I love what I do and there’s no reason to take it so serious. This is suppose to be fun, its because I love it and if its not fun then something is wrong.
What’s next for you?
I am pushing into some duo/solo stuff down here. I have a few songs written and I made a goal before I turn 40 to record them and drop an EP. Its for me, its for my kids. Its a bucket list thing, like hey I did this but I also think I have something to say. I want to make sure my kids see that no matter how old you are you can still live your dreams.
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