Ashley Cox Speaks On “The Unbuilding”

Here we are on Day 7 of 40 peaceful protests planned in Syracuse and real change is showing some promise. We are in Phase 2 and beginning to open back up. It’s been a long few months since I’ve sat face to face with anyone or seen live music off screen. But many people have spent time creating and have found inspiration from the state of the world and our country. I am excited to hear Ashley Cox’s new song this week. She is the lead singer of Professional Victims, Fondu and can be found performing with her dad, Jimmy Cox or her daughter, Chloe Danes. Here’s what she’s been up to:

MT: Hey Ashley! You recorded a new song during the COVID-19 quarantine. I am excited to hear it. Like many of us, it seems that art and music help you to deal with and express frustrations. How has your quarantine experience been?

AC: Hey Misse We have recorded MANY songs! But yes, we are about to release one here soon. It’s been a wild ride for sure. Every minute, hour, day a different emotion.  On April 8th, what would’ve been my grandmothers 100th birthday (except she passed unexpectedly on 3/1), Shawn had an accident which brought us to the ER during a pandemic.  He had to get about 25+ stitches above his eye and it was terrifying. I swear I thought he was going to die, or have lasting injuries. Fast forward to now, he’s all healed up, and we’ve written more songs, are more focused on music and what matters more than ever.  We have to keep looking for the silver linings. They are out there.

MT: The world is pretty crazy and it seems like new issues are coming up all the time. What are some of the topics you are most passionate about?

AC: Well, it’s really just one issue for me. Equality.  Whether we’re talking about women, minorities, LGBTQ, money, healthcare, justice the list goes on.  We have to have more people speaking for those that do not have a voice, that do not have a seat at the table. The election is coming up, and these are terrifying times. There is a rumbling in our bellies, and a moral void where a strong leader once stood in the White House. We are hungry for change.

MT: You have a history of meaningful performances. I love how you project visual images to enhance the experience at your shows. Professional Victims have other songs out there that speak to politics and injustice. Can you share a few of those and what inspired them?

AC: Well, when it was just Shawn and I performing as a duo, we wanted to add more color to our show so we added in the video aspect. Jesse Morrison has joined us again as our drummer, so we’ll have that full band experience again. Our first record, ”Penalties and Punishments” was written by Shawn Sullivan (my husband/love of my life). We had been acquaintances for 10 yrs, and the first time he sat in front of me and played me a song he wrote – his eyes wide with conviction, I fell in love. “The scratches and the dents, the damage imminent…” He’s an incredible songwriter and he’s been fueled by the failed system in this country. We are artists, this is our outlet, our battle cry: “Death to The System.”

MT: The new song, The Unbuilding, will be released June 12. What is your the message you hope to share?

AC: I started the song in December, lyrics, poetry all stemming from a gathering of like minded females wanting to empower one another, inspire one another.  The timing of the song is uncanny, with the riots, with the fury of Americans and really people all over the world just fed up with the injustice, the hate crimes, the corruption.  The lyrics “Go get your matches, bout to burn the whole shit down, it’s the unbuilding, unbuild it to the ground.” By no means do we propose a literal burning of buildings, but a metaphor to say we need an overhaul, reform, justice, and to come together and fight for what is right. No apologies for that.

MT: Was this song a solo project?

AC: During quarantine Shawn presented a few guitar licks and the song unfolded magically as words just pummeled out of my mouth in sync with his chords.  It was awesome, I love when it’s that easy.  I don’t love the reality that our cities are burning, but we believe that there will be great change to come. The song is more reminiscent of my solo 90’s music, acoustic guitar, stripped down version that will come first. The song might take on new form though, if we decide to play it live with a band.  I’m working on a slower, somber piano version as well.

MT: What else do you have on the horizon?

AC: We are writing like crazy right now.  Shawn is working on songs in the studio for his Bitch Cassidy project (with good friend Mike Borgia in NYC), together we’re finishing up some PV songs for our record, and I foresee a solo project beginning with “The Unbuilding” releasing on June 12th (Streaming on iTunes and Spotify among others). New tune, “Loose Ends,” by Bitch Cassidy will come out June 18th.