Ansley: Therapy…With Melodies
- So FN Dope Magazine
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
From the creative forces of Grammy Award winning, multi-platinum songwriter-producer Dallas Austin [TLC, Boyz II Men, Madonna] and Emmy-nominated choreographer-director Fatima Robinson comes this rocketing ATL based Pop starlet; who’s boldly fierce, unabashedly fearless and unapologetically Ansley.
Let’s hop into this single, "Crying in My Champagne” — Tell me about this particular track; how did it come to fruition?
I wrote “Crying in My Champagne” after realizing I might’ve ruined something really good. He was the perfect guy-kind, loyal; the type you’re supposed to want. But I got bored, flirted with his friends, and convinced myself I could do better. I didn’t realize what I had until he cut me off, and told me I wrecked his world. So I did what any emotionally unstable girl would do: got drunk off champagne, and called him way too many times. It’s a sad girl anthem for the ones who self-sabotage, spiral in silence and aren’t sure if they miss the guy…or just hate not being missed back.
Of course "Crying in My Champagne" comes courtesy of your latest project, Banned From Normal -- Conceptually, what does this title represent both to and for you?
Banned From Normal represents me as an artist. Banned From Normal is my truth in its rawest form. These songs are like pages from my diary; unfiltered, emotional and real. It’s everything I’ve been through, everything I’ve questioned, everything I’ve felt as a 24-year-old girl navigating love, pressure, beauty standards and chasing dreams. This album isn’t about fitting (in), it’s about owning the fact that I don’t. It’s the best music I’ve ever written because it’s finally just…me.
For it, you teamed up with veteran hit-making producer Dallas Austin — What particular string of events actually led to this unique pairing?
I always knew about Dallas Austin growing up listening to his music on the radio, and he was always an inspiration to me. And then one day I went on YouTube and I started watching his videos, and manifesting that I was gonna work with him. And a year later, after a lot of manifesting and being a go getter, I’m in the studio with him making my album Banned From Normal! Shoutout Steve Rayman.
As a songwriter when you sit down to pen your lyrics, where do you draw inspiration from?
When I sit down to write, I pull from everything; my past, my present, things I’ve gone through and even things I’m still figuring out. Songwriting is how I process it all. Whether it’s heartbreak, confidence, confusion or growing up, I just write what I feel. It’s like therapy, but with melodies.
Tell me your whole inception into music — When did you first become interested in it? And, how did it all begin for Ansley Williams?
My mom says I was singing before I could talk, so music’s always been a part of me. By six, I was singing the national anthem for the Atlanta Thrashers, the Hawks, and other teams. Then I won a competition called AMTC, which landed me a manager who was working with the Jonas Brothers. That opened the door to New York, where I spent every summer doing artist development, tap, acting, vocals which led to commercials and a spot on Sesame Street. As I got older, I started writing my own songs at the piano. That changed everything. I wasn’t just singing anymore, I had something to say. I trained at Mama Jan’s studio, found my sound in Pop and dropped my first EP at 14. That’s when things really started to take off.
So growing up, who all did / do you consider to be your strongest musical influences?
Avril Lavigne, Miley Cyrus, Tate McRae and Sabrina Carpenter. I grew up listening to Miley Cyrus and Avril Lavigne.
That said, how do you describe and / or define the style of music that you create and / or perform?
Southern Pop.
Switching gears here, what exactly do you want people to get from your music?
I want people to feel like they’re not alone when they hear my music. Like they can cry to it, laugh to it, dance around their room with it. I want them to feel seen; like it’s okay to let their weird out and not be judged for it. My songs are the place you can be fully yourself-even the messy parts.
If you could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?
SZA, Drake (and) Justin Bieber.
If you could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?
Madison Square Garden, because it’s legendary.
On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of music?
I am so happy. Dallas Austin just produced my latest album, Banned From Normal, and I couldn’t be more excited about it.
What do you feel has and will continue to be the key to your longevity?
Determination and strengthening my skills.
Do you have any other outside / additional (future) aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?
I want to get back into acting.
To date, what has been your biggest career moment(s), at least thus far anyway?
Hitting Top 40 on radio.
What’s an average day like for you?
Lately, it has been going to the recording studio and writing new songs, and then singing and piano lessons.
Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans...
Social media and in person! Anyway I can!
What is your favorite part about this line of work? Your least favorite? And, why?
Getting to perform my music, and see what it does for people. I don’t have a least favorite; I love it all.
What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Learn an instrument.
Looking ahead, say five or maybe even ten years from now, where do you see yourself?
On a world tour, winning a Grammy and having a best sold album.
As for the immediate, what's next for you, Ansley?
My whole album releases in June, then it’s blast off for what’s to come!!
Is there anything I left out or just plain forgot to mention?
That I am a singer-songwriter, and write about my life in hoping to make someone’s day better by just hearing my music.
Lastly, any “parting” words for our readers?
Listen to my new album Banned From Normal!!
