This week's Video of the Week is a song written by two women of country, recent Belmont University graduates Kassi Ashton and Emily Landis. The tune that Ashton sings in this live performance is "Tumbleweed," a blues-driven country tune that sounds like a hit-in-the-making.
Filmed at a recentSong Suffragettes showcase at the Listening Room in Nashville, Ashton's co-writer Emily Landis accompanies her on guitar and background vocals. The demo came out on SoundCloud a couple months ago (available for free download!), but the acoustic version adds a raw element that the demo doesn't have. Ashton's vocals are reminiscent of Maren Morris's, but they have the edge of rock singer Elle King's voice.
The writing is stellar, and the soulful and bluesy edge seems like something that could fit right in with the rise of country soul movement, led by artists like Morris, Chris Stapleton, and Morgan Myles. She sings at the end of the chorus, "I'm a tumbleweed / like a rolling stone / you can slow me down / but away I go / I'll stay where I stumble till I leave / I'm a tumbleweed." The free-spirit message of the track is sure to resonate with many listeners. She's got the voice, the unique sound and lyrics, and even in an acoustic, seated performance, she's got an amazing stage presence that will serve her well as her career progresses. Watch out Maren, here comes Kassi Ashton.
The writing is stellar, and the soulful and bluesy edge seems like something that could fit right in with the rise of country soul movement, led by artists like Morris, Chris Stapleton, and Morgan Myles. She sings at the end of the chorus, "I'm a tumbleweed / like a rolling stone / you can slow me down / but away I go / I'll stay where I stumble till I leave / I'm a tumbleweed." The free-spirit message of the track is sure to resonate with many listeners. She's got the voice, the unique sound and lyrics, and even in an acoustic, seated performance, she's got an amazing stage presence that will serve her well as her career progresses. Watch out Maren, here comes Kassi Ashton.