Retrospective: Gossip

So most of you know Ashleigh Ashley 'does Music'...and more of you still know that making music is an expensive business unless you're spending someone elses money lol! Anyway to pay the bills and fund my crazy music making schemes I work in video production and a recent job saw me working for Black Dog (a music video divsion of Tony/Ridley Scotts production company RSA Films) on a production for the Gossip.

We shot in an old disused boarding school OFF of endz lol, an enchanting/labyrinth-like building that looked liked it belonged in the Hogwarts. I would have explored the entire place if hadn't of been for the "Beware Asbestos" barriers lol. My main job for the day was making sure the band and the dancers got to and from set when they needed to (a 2nd AD of sorts) so of course I adopted my best American accent and 'chilled' with team Ditto and the Glam Sqaud lol!

Working with a band that have essentially done all the things that I'd like to achieve in my music career was enlightening...and for a second it was easy to visualize what my life could be like if I keep on my grind! Seeing shoots come together has always amazed me and I felt the dancers/costumes and location completely nailed the spirit of the song.  Well done to Director Price James for getting it just right hehe, I only just got round to seeing the results...

   

 There's more to the day of course...but if you want to know about that you're gona have to check out the Gossip's behind the scenes video *slow smile* HERE

@sh.x

RoofHop 1.2 - Cheating...

ROOFHOP No.2 is Officially LIVE people hehe! Shot on the roof of The Macbeth in Shoreditch this video sees me and my screen lover - (singer/songwriter Jay Auburn) - argue it out Jeremy Kyle musical stylee hehe! Who's been Cheating on who I wonder...will love prevail??   Dramatics over it was actually a really fun job...as you'll probably tell by us kooking out at the end of the video lol!

     

 The original track was produced by amazing duo 43 and The Wizard! Check out the EXTENDED studio version here...

   

It was mad hot that day, so I couldn't even rock my Choolips Storm Jacket :( But look out for it in following posts!  Gaga eat your heart out lool!  For info on the crew, the "Roofhop Series" and to see the very first Roofhop - BROWSE HERE!   If you've liked what you've seen so far you'll piss your pants for the next installment. Even nature is on our side.... hahahaaaa

 @sh.x

We Enter 2012...

Soo..2011 is just a memory!

Don't you find that we all turn philosopher at the turn of a year lol! Weighing up the worst of what's past with, what we hope, is the best to come - willing ourselves to reset all our bad habits and proceed into the new with a new you! Feel like I hit the ground running into 2012 with Shades of Blue going out and exceeding even my own expectations! It's surreal to think that thousands of people I don't know - in places as obscure as Panama! - have watched it! And I just want to say a massive THANX for the support/feedback me and my team have recieved...keep sharing people hehe!!

 So, if I'm running what's next on the route? World tour?...Million Dollar record deal? - haha if only it was that easy :P This year IS however about taking things to the next level and hopefully setting AA up for life! I've still got a lot to prove to my peers and most of all to myself, so over the next six months you're gona see/hear me stirring up all sorts of mischief! MwahahAAA

 There are collaborations with dope dubbers like SPLEXT and Pr0ximas to look forward to :) And the "Roofhop Series" will be hitting the net-waves very soon - costumes c/o Choolips (who I'm dying to introduce you guys to!!) Not to mention the secret Metal Man project that's a-brewing as I type! In short you guys are gona have plenty to keep you occupied whilst I finish off my 1st EP (out later this year). Long term - this year I'm aiming to really BLOW YOUR FRICKING MINDS!! :D ROCK ON 2012!! We'll make memories of you yet !
@sh.x

Shades of Blue - Official Video...

 

If you want to download the song hit this link!  Will you have one of the first 100?:  http://soundcloud.com/ashleighashley/shades-of-b

And thats a wrap! :D
@sh.x

The Shades of Blue Crew...

(2 DAYS to go)!!  Producing Shades in Dam was an epic personal achievement for me...but this post is dedicated to my uber-talented CREW...and all of the people/companies that helped make Shades of Blue happen!  When you finally watch the video...I want you to keep every single one of these guys in mind because it couldn't of happened without them!!
The Crew:

NEIL RAJA - Camerman/Photographer (timelapse) - Neil Raja Studios

CHARLIE MILLER - Cameraman/DOP - formerly of Drum'n'Bass Areana

JACK MCGLOUGHLIN - Cameraman/Editor - Neil Raja Studios (and formerly Drum'n'Bass Arena)

PRISCA HOFER - Hair/Make Up/Continuity

NIRJA RAAM - Photographer/ PAP PAP

MARLON ZENDON - Location Scout/Guide/'Bad Guy'

JONATHON HOCKLEY - Navigation/Kit Monger/Producer of Shades of Blue

Locations:

SECOND LIFE MUSIC Record Store

Shades HQ - STAY OKAY (Zeeburg)

Costume:

MILLICENT ASHELY - Fashion Designer /Co-designer & Maker of Shoe Dress

ANNA DEVI NAGTALON - Designer/Maker of Button Chest-Piece and top

And there we have it !  Thanx soooooo much ya'll!  I can't wait to show the world what we achieved on no money and BARE heart!  Also want to say a massive thanx to Editor Leigh Brookes @ Fire Belly Films, Chris @ Second Life Music, Stefany Rietkerk @ Artcore, Rob @ Budgetcam and Marlon Zendon for putting Prisca and I up!!

GO TEAM SHADES!

#shadesacoming

@sh.x

S.o.B with 1Take.TV...

Shades of Blue music video is approaching the finish line *phew* Now that the edit's done, I've managed to rope in a couple of pros to give it those all important finishing touches! A release date has been set in stone (#ifitkillsme) and lets just say it's gona get very Shadey before the year's out!!

Over the next few blogposts I'll take you through the nitty gritty...but in the meantime massive thanx to Elliot Bradley, Jonah James and Beatrice Black at 1Take.TV.  Because of them I'm able to bring you a beautifully shot acoustic version of SoB to tide you over!

 
Had a great time shooting this taster with 1Take in their uber-cool basement studio, though I think my guitarist Gibbi Bettini would agree that next time we work with these guys there's a certain record we're going to break!! :P

Shades a-coming.....
@sh.x

A Taste of BLUE...

WhOA!! Shades of Blue people...where do I start?? This track was produced by Riffioso last year! My brief to him: 'can I please have a track that...soouuunds like me' lol! Most producers would be like WTF! but Jon embraced it and shortly afterwards I received an instrumental called 'Purple Fruit'! Some time later... It was Xmas 2009 and after a rocky year I decided that I'd had enough of London and the people in it, so I booked a train ticket to Europe and didn't look back! Amsterdam for Xmas (WilD), Berlin for 1night (Reflective), finishing up in Prague/Czech Republic for New Yrs (Messy lol)! Travelling alone, by train gave me ample time to write! And with 'Purple Fruit' pumping in my headphones, and picturesque landscapes gliding past my window seat it was inevitable for Shades of Blue to be born. Later still... I re-visited Amsterdam in March 2011 - but this time it wasn't to party :P! I took a team of 6 with me - to shoot a music video for...you guessed it...Shades of Blue lol! Jon 'Riffioso' Hockley, Prisca Hofer, Jack McLoughlin, Charlie Miller, Neil Raja and Nirja Raam jumped on a coach over there...with all our kit (the funniest thing if u see the size of Charlie and Jack :o). And with a budget as big as my back pocket :/ we did something spectacular!! 

  

Here's a little taster of what we achieved...the full video SOON COME :D
@sh.x

Back into the MiX...

As I've been plotting to take over the world it seems I've kinda neglected keeping you guys in the loop, and it's been 5 weeks since my last confession lol! I always go through phases of non-communication, but sitting here getting a trim, I felt the urge to update ya'll!
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I've been running round like a mad woman generating new content for the AA project. Gibbi (my guitarist) and I did a Roofhop at the beginning of August and met all sorts of interesting people along the way lol! Here's a sneaky pic, and details from the day to come VERY VERY soon!

Rooftop in Notting Hill- Gibbi: AA: Artcha
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It was an honour to play a gig at Hawley Arms (home to songstress Amy Winehouse - and she sure left her mark on the place!) It was the 1st time Social Deficit was performed to an audience and I'm pleased to say it got a BanginG reception :D

Next level eulogies. (I can imagine this door needing to be repainted in a year or so...only for the tributes to start building up again - think Abbey Rd)
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I've been writing endlessly, and you guys have got a couple of collabs (with the likes of Pr0ximas,Obscene Locals and Lincoln Savage) to look forward to towards the end of the year!
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The EP is also taking shape people! Thanx to old comrade Jon 'Riffioso' Hockely I've been able to translate the sounds/voices in my head to tangible shniz that the band will hopefully thrive on playing! It's sooo surreal hearing it all come to life!
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AA has teamed up with Sistova to hold a monster event in Nov...more about that later!
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The long awaited Shades of Blue music video is getting it's finishing touches :D YAY!! The trailer will be hitting the netwaves in the next week or so...followed promptly by the vid itself - I'm so excited to get it out there and...well see what happens! It's a somewhat docile taste of what to expect from the EP!
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Oh and on the circuit!... Well well...it's be a really exciting couple of month out there. There have been amazing nights thanx to Unsigned Hype at Lockside Lounge! Rizzle Kicks performance at WIRED was soooo much fun lool! And it was kinda exciting bumping into them again at Ed Sheeran's Album Launch! Will treasure the spontenaity of freedom I felt singing - drunkenly I might add - a rendition of Yellow with Ed, on the corner of The Worlds End! The energy in the air was infectious :) I really felt the power of ye ole "la-la-la"!

That's all we got time for folks! I don't want to bore ya'll with the nitty gritty! Couple of dates to remember:
Sunday 25th Sept - Dalston Roof Gardens - acoustic for Lyrix Organix as part of the Uprise Festival
Friday 30th Sept - East Village - full set at the epic Rock The Belles :D
Look forward to seeing some of ya'll there!!

@sh.x O.U.T

Gig-geddy Gig-geddy part 2: PROUD...

The next 'Camden Night' to remember came when Ashleigh Ashley did Proud Galleries on the 31st May!! Ok...so you know I've got this hit-list of venues that I REALLY want to play? - well Proud Galleries was one of them! As an internationally renowned music venue, and a place where everyone from Katy B - to Mark Ronson has played before making the big time, it's a must have on any artist musical CV!

I got a call from a young lady called Secretta from UPRISE while shopping for a job in town (thanx Greg ;). This charity organisation has stirred somewhat of a revolution with their cool brand of anti-racist fesitival!! I'm sure we've all attended local fete's for this cause when we were younger, but these guys do it bigger and better with their Finsbury Park festival of 2010 attracting thousands of people! When Secretta asked if I'd be up for performing at their next fund-raiser gig, dedicated to Gil Scott-Heron, I JUMPED at the chance!!

I was sooo excited to play PROUD that I made a new Metal Man chest piece especially for the occasion (above)! And as for the boys (JoelKeys, KieranBass, GibbiGuitar, TobiasDrums), well I had 4 little surprises up my sleeve for them, courtesy of FLY53 :D!

It was a manic soundcheck...but once we were finally free to chill me and the boys went for a good old pub dinner at the local Wetherspoons. It was nice to be able to chill with them outside a music setting...it really made me appreciate them all the more, and was a perfect opportunity to tell them how grateful I am for their massive support over the last 6months especially! It also gave them the opportunity to give me a reassuring kick up the ass lol - we didn't have time to rehearse for this gig either and with a new song in the set I was quaking in my hi-tops lol! Oh well...show must go ON!! And what a show it was:

GibbiGuitar and TobiasDrums fooling around.

JoelKeys getting some AA lurrrve lol

KieranBass looking all majestic n shniiz lol!

I had a craazy night! Massive shout out to my boys Cynikal and Random Impulse who also blessed the mic on the night! Thanx to Paul and Secretta from Uprise and to all that came down to support - Jukebox and Braver Darker especially hehe!!

And Jonathon Hockley...you're a G for taking all these amazing pictures (for more pics see HERE)

@sh.x

MusicConnex

There are points in every artists journey when they´re faced with taking 'the next step'! I took my 1st steps with Jonathon Hockley, Kasha and Composure in early 09'...and the next steps revealed themselves pretty quickly after that! Branching out and meeting more producers and artists...setting up my blog and other social networks came next...then getting a band together in early 10' for my 1st gig...which inevitably led to more gigs! But with all this hard graft under my belt where exactly is the AA project heading?? I knew the 'next step' was imminent but I didn't have a clue what it was!?!

I've got Faron McKenzie and his partner Jon Mansfield to thank for my latest musical ephiphany! MUSIC CONNEX -their brainchild - does exactly what it says on the tin, and MorE lol! I was skeptical when Faron 1st mentioned this conference because I hadn't been to a seminar since uni days...and the business side of the music industry has always been a bit over complicated for my liking! I gave it a go however...and on the 1st day alone I was blown away by the energy and keen faces that filled Kings Place! This wasn't just a seminar...this was a celebration of success!

The three-day programme covered a range of subjects relevant to any budding artists! From brain rehearsing to hints on how to get signed. Youtube gave a tips on how to get your music out there digitally and Miss Bee from I Luve Live told us how to secure good gigs!! And innovative companies such as Music Dealers showed us exciting ways of monetizing our work! I was spoilt for choice with artist speakers like Labarinth, Random Impulse and Jazzy B in the house. As well as industry moguls like Charlie Sloth and Glyn Aikins from Virgin! The highlight for me though was an intimate discussion with the one and only Al Shux (producer/songwriter of Emipre State of Mind!) His room was SOOO packed that me and a couple of others set up camp outside his room til we were granted access!

In between seminars we all had the opportunity to network and connect in King's Place beautiful canal side setting! The bar was buslting...and so relaxed! Novice artists like myself could rub shoulders and pick the brains of veterans like Ian Titchner from The Music Consultancy (Think DJ Luck and MC Neat). We were also treated to showcases on x2 of the nights...including performances from visiting Canadian Blast rap troupes! (You'll hear a bit about producer S.O.U.L soon)! See pics here! At this point I got to make a big shout out to my boy Sketch Williams! He's a Canadian artist/producer I met at MusicConnex...big talent...and new found friend ;D!

So what was this career changing next step? Well as independent as I've been up until now I learned that the AA operation needed extra hands and minds to help crank this thing up a gear! Hello Lucid Tiger! I don't want to say too much about this management duo at the moment as it's still early days, but if all goes to plan you'll be hearing a lot about Anthony and Raphael over the coming months! :D

Music Connex connects you to like minded driven people in the music industry! I was working on a short film at the same time as the seminar, so I only attended 2 out of the 3 days...wish I could have had it all lol! I won't summarise my experience in words...I think this video (filmed on location in the Kings Way hall hehe) says it ALL:

Thank you Music Connex! (And Jonathon for filming this vid :D)

@sh.x

RATHBONE Youth Centre:

I've never thought of myself as much of a mentor...especially since I'm prone to somewhat erratic behaviour lol! I've always hoped to inspire people through my music, but it wasn't until my girl Anna, a designer and youth worker at Rathbone in Hackney planted the seed that I really considered the potential Ashleigh Ashley had to reach out to some of London's most interesting kids!

Anna invited me down to the youth center to give a 'talk' to some of her clients! Not one to mess about Anna chucked me right in the deep end lol...and I found myself sat in a room of about ten 16-19 year olds (under her watchful eye)...nervous as hell! The mistrust, and general apathy amongst the group was written on their faces..'who the hell is this chick?...and what is she going to try and preach to us today??' I did my best to entertain/inform them about the ups and downs of my journey so far and answered as many questions as I could about music/making videos and networking...but deep down I felt I was missing the point?! Having left home at 17 I had more in common with these kids then I first thought...and in hindsight I would have made the most of that fact!

The most poignant part of the session for me was when I asked them: "What do you want to do with your life...?" Now, I wasn't expecting an in-depth description...who KNOWS for sure what they want to be at 17? I was expecting however, to see some kind of animation in their eyes...hear something of dreams and hopes...ANYTHING! But my question was met by most of the group with silence and averted eyes!! In fact one kid even crossed the room and stuck his head out of the window to chat to a 'mate' outside lool! They're young, beautiful souls...with everything to live for...so what are they so afraid of?? What will it take to help these amazing youngsters realize their potential?

In the age where the so-called Y-generation are defined by Facebook, knife crime and bad grammer it's no wonder youths have lost faith in themselves! Not to say that anyone has an excuse to be a criminal, 'rude-boi' or general meanie...but if the media and indeed most adults continue to paint todays youth with that 'hopeless' brush it's inevitable that they'll grow up in those colours right!?!

I can't wait til my next session with these guys! I want to find out more about them...I want to know what makes them TICK. And most of all I hope to get them involved in a new upcoming Ashleigh Ashley project...RULE THE WORLD! Watch this space!!...

@sh.x

Shout out to all the girls and guys in my session...I believe in you...and next time we meet I hope you'll let me in and we can get this ball rolling!

QOH 2: Glory Box in the Basement lool...

Part 1 of my Live-r Than Ever project has been making the rounds...and I'm sooo grateful for all the lurrrrvve/support thats come back! It seems I'm not the only one who has a few vices to be Giving Up hehe! Inevitably, Part 2 is complete and here are a few behind the scenes snaps from the Glory Box perfomance.
This is my favourite Portishead song of ALL time, but like all their tracks it's a real mood setter with a haunting energy thats irresistably seductive!! The boys slung on their smart threads while I...well lets just say this is a song I could really get my ClaWs into :P I hope it puts you in the mood to share ...



Thanx to everyone who helped out!!!
@sh.x

Popping ma Radio Cherry - BANG FM 103.6

I met Denise a.k.a D-Nyce at a live London event called Soul-D Out on Oct 1st 2010! I'd heard about the night through a friend and I really wanted a chance to perform to this finger-licking audience! It took abit of convincing because Denise has seen a huge amount of talent pass through Cottons doors, but a phone call and a few emails later Denise eventually offered me a 2 track acoustic set! I performed that snowy Octoer evening and thankfully it went down a treat! Here's a vid from that night :D

Amazingly D-Nyce is not only the promoter of Soul-D Out, she also happens to be a club DJ with Rampage and a radio personality with BANG FM - the UK's biggest COMMUNITY radio station!!

I performed a full set for Soul-d Out on Dec 3rd 2010! It was a big night...with loads of familiar faces like blessed wordsmith G.R.E.E.D.S and amazing artist Dionne Reid and the house band were fab!! Just as I was saying my goodbyes and heading off for the evening Denise caught up with me...would I like come down to BANG sometime for my first radio interview??! YES PLEASE! As recorded on 6th Jan 2011 - Ashleigh Ashley does Bang FM:[Listen out for a pre-release taste of my first single..."Shades of BLUE" (twice lol)


Bang FM Interview_060111 by AshleighAshley

Thanx Denise! We LUV you BANG FM!!
@sh.x

QOH 1: Giving Up Acoustic (on a roof lol)

A couple of posts ago I was telling ya'll about a little project called Ashleigh Ashley Live-r Than Ever! It's been interesting juggling edit sessions with studio and the gigs I've had over the past few months but the times finally arrived to reveal the first (of 3) videos from my Queen of Hoxton Showdown lol! Here are some pictures to remind you:


Hope you enjoy the sentiment for the new year - here's an old Ashleigh Ashley favourite narrative:

GIVING UP - Rooftop Acoustic

Special thanks again to Gibbi for strumming for me! Tomo @ Random for bossing me around lol, Zee and Jon on camera, Jason. Sound, Amber. Photography my Mum for helping get dressed (even though I'm 24 now :D)!
Queen of Hoxton, Braver Darker...and of course Mr Jack for putting up with our edit marathons lol - Just one more to go my dear :D!!

@sh.x

Ashleigh Ashley Flavoured: -

Right, so I've given you a little snap-shot of November, but I think it's about time we got to the nitty gritty! As you've probably guessed from the title, in this post we're going to cover the when Ashleigh Ashley met FLAVOUR MAGAZINE. Looking back through my emails I realised it had been over a year since I first tried to make contact with Flavour. But it was a lucky encounter at RAWW rehearsals (Brixton based soul/jazz band), that finally led to me being officially introduced! This encounter was with a chrasmatic young man named Mr Midas - Dancehall MC, face of Boom TV - and close friend of Flavour...he made the introductions. I'd heard good things about Flavour Live as a must perform/must see live music event and with artists like Loick Essien and Scorcher having graced the stage at previous shows, I was thrilled find out that I had a slot at CARGO for Flavour Live, Nov 2010!!

So, gig secured the obvious dilema became WhaT to WeaR lol. If I was going to do Cargo I had to make an effort right!? Well I took a trip down to Felicities ... and with the fashion season shifting from Winter to Spring/Summer 2011 the show room was full of new and wonderful creations :D Check out these EPIC trousers by Lall London...a personal favorite of mine this guy has an amazing eye for texture!


And these space age accessories are courtesy of another fab designer, Jacob Kimmie. As beautiful as they look they were a bit of a stylists nightmare to attach (oh and don't watch the hair lol):

And check out these beautiful shosies! From budding shoe designer Dionne Gooding (I went to school with her younger sister). I had a look at several of her designs and though I didn't get the chance to rock them this time,I cant wait to test drive these hot wings hehe: Well, other than a minor wardrobe mal-function during my end of night interview, the night went swimingly...the band really delivered the icing on the performance. Check out some of the pictures taken by DJ Chef and Jr.JK! And check out my end of night interview with DJ Longers...talking Swag hehe:






Thank you FLAVOUR MAGAZINE!! And massive thanx to the BAND and Felicities for helping to make this night possible!!
@sh.x
P.S. Happy Birthday to ME hehe

FLASH Nov-Dec 2010:

Its been an intense 6 weeks people!
3 gigs, 4 rehearsals and a funeral, 2 new costume designs, (1 week on the poverty line lol), 2 new songs and a freestyle, 1 top secret photoshoot, and a handful of new friendships :)...
On top of that I've somehow blown up my laptop charger and have resorted to typing out this post on my BB lol!
(Thumb cramps to ensue :D)

It was touch and go for a second there I must admit! Being busy is never a bad thing, but working your way through a long-ass to do list makes it hard to remember how much FUN this journey should be! Now that I've had time to sit and reflect I feel confident to say that these last few weeks have been the pinnacle of my year in music!!

With all the pictures and video's still trickling in from various sources the time line is still a little sketchy but all should become clear in my next two blog posts:
Ashleigh Ashley FLAVOUR-ed and Angel Nights :D!!

@.x

A Taste of Ashleigh Ashley Live-r than EVER...

How many of you have seen my YouTube channel: TheAshleighAshley?? Other than my demo-shoot film and one crazy Stereo Addict all the recordings are from gigs I've done around London! For me, these videos are not only personal memento's from each event but also an important way for me to share my journey with you! I'm so grateful for all the positive feedback and encouragement I've recieved...but a lot of you have said how frustrating it is to watch these video's because of bad sound quality! The ineffieciency of in-camera mics mixed with crowd noise mean that you find it hard to get a real taste of Ashleigh Ashley :( This influenced me to get plotting *mwahahaa*...and hopefully my most recent project will put an end to all that ear ache! :D

THE CONCEPT:
Don't be fooled...this is not a music video! Drawing inspiration from operations like The Cordless Show and SBTV I wanted to put together an extra special set...raw...intimate and REAL! With a dash of our trusty Ashleigh Ashley eccentricity lol

LOCATION:
Queen of Hoxton (c/o Tomo @ Random Magazine)
This club in the heart of Shoreditch is one of my favorite London haunts! So you can imagine how amazing it was to have the place to ourselves for a whole day!
The Rooftop Garden


The Basement



STYLING:
I planned the first part of the shoot to take place acoustically on the roof, so I kept it simple to start off with. I had 2 more costume changes in mind so I had plenty of time to get real you know...ExpressivE lol:

(Ignore the look of angst on my face lol...no Ashleigh's were hurt in the making of this video lol)

The second out fit took a little more planning! I wore a little black dress from our favorite urban outfitters FLY 53 and I dressed it up with some home made accessories. See what FLY had to say about this here :
Shoulder Pads

Faux Nails (of sorts):



The final set was dedicated to Metal Man lol! I really let my hair down for this one. But there wasn't a circuit board in sight :o. My make up girl Prisca had her work cut out though because I handed her these pics as references:



The acoustic set will be hitting your screens first. And soon after you'll have some quality Ashleigh Ashley on the netwaves...singing out 2010 in style ;D
Massive thank you to everyone who helped out...I will name and shame you all in due course lol!!

Check out TheAshleighAshley youtube channel for the final VIDS.

@sh.x