Hi - my name is Emily Ashberry, and I'm a folk musician and singer-songwriter from the East Midlands. As a musician with a background in traditional English folk music, my songwriting focuses on storytelling techniques, and I pride myself on being able to create lyrically beautiful tracks that weave complex and intricate stories. Much of my work uses tools from traditional folk and roots music to shine a light on the LGBTQ+ and sapphic communities, which are not often highlighted within the genre. Throughout my artistic journey, I have kept the core elements of traditional music with me, using my writing to explore the timeless folk themes of love and loss in a modern context.

I'm currently working on my debut album with a grant from the Alan Surtees Trust, which aims to explore the relationship between English folk music and American folk, bluegrass, and country music. As a queer artist with close family ties to the Bluegrass State (Kentucky), I am excited to release an album that looks at the culture of the American South, using the features and instruments common in bluegrass and country music, and the music it originates from (English, Irish, and Scottish folk) as well as exploring my own family history and relationships.

The grant has covered the majority of the production costs, including the hire of session musicians to add authentic Americana sounds to the tracks, but does not cover the whole cost of the album. Any funds raised here will be going into finishing the production process, including recording, mastering, album artwork, CD production, and any marketing costs.

I would be so grateful for anything you can spare, and can't wait to share the album with you!