For a seven year old, there are very few tasks as daunting as the keys on a beautiful black grand piano, but that’s where Brisbane-born musician Ashleigh Auckland found her start. It was her grandfather’s piano and once she was too old to hide underneath, she would sit atop the large stool and pretend to play. Soon enough, her pretense gave way to talent and she found herself on other instruments: cello, trumpet and finally guitar which she’s kept by her side to this day. What’s a girl to do, growing up outside the city with a head full of ideas?

It was a smooth progression into the school recording studio, for a small EP at thirteen years old. Four years later, she recorded in Ian Haug’s (Powderfinger) studio. Back then, the industry was different. The only way to be seen or heard was through talent competitions or to get your big break with a label, so Ashleigh took off to London to make the most of it in one of the most supportive cities in Europe. After a few years of radio play and competition wins, Ashleigh found herself at the whim of the global financial crisis, finding it harder to get by overseas as a foreigner when the city was struggling on its own. She returned to Brisbane and started at the roots of the local scene, open mic nights, before graduating to her own solo shows.

Ashleigh’s solo debut is ‘Vagabond’ an intimate collection which exemplifies the years of work she’s undertaken. The album has the production of a great pop record, and the lyrics of the deepest indie album, exploring depth of sound and the combination of electronic and acoustic sounds. After two EPs which carried the signature mark of her producer and less of herself, Ashleigh has teamed up with producer Greg Tschernez as a collaborator first and foremost. About the process, she says that she’s “been in the studio for every single session, written every note, sat in on every drum session, and dictated all mixing sessions. This album is quite personal and it’s exactly how I want the public to see me.”

Now that the album has been released, Ashleigh is moving back to London to build her base and tour Europe, but she’s still in touch with her Australian fans via The Holding Pattern. She may have started outside, the vagabond hiding beneath the grand piano, but now is the time for her to come out and there’s no need to pretend.

The Holding Pattern is proud to have this talented singer/songwriter as our Spotlight Artist Of The Week. The very first listen has you hooked with such beauty as she traverses through a personal journey surrounding you with melodies that will hold you gently with kid gloves. Her debut album Vagabond is a power house listing of fantastic Indie Pop tracks that is sure to impress, and is destined for great things!

You can listen to her track ‘Fool’ from the Album ‘Vagabond’ right here:
Fool by Ashleigh Auckland

Or you can listen to her Album ‘Vagabond’ in full right here:
Vagabond by Ashleigh Auckland