An Interview with Ashli: Navigating the Music Industry as a newcomer.
Hi Ashli, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us. To start, could you share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up in Kentucky in a little town called Vanceburg before making the leap to Denver right after graduating from Morehead State University. My journey began in the corporate world, where I spent a decade leading teams in the telecom industry at Verizon. Later, I became an Operations Leader at Tesla, overseeing Colorado’s Delivery Operations. Throughout my corporate career, I thrived on breaking through barriers and achieving what others deemed “unlikely to be a viable path.”
My focus in securing meaningful connections with people and keeping a down to earth focus helped me find like-minded people that over time taught me coaching & development tools to mentor my team to do the same. Despite my success, I found myself lacking fulfillment in the industry. So, I took a bold step: I left the corporate world behind to travel for a year. After taking the time to align my brain with my heart and identify what I wanted next, I decided to opt for one last adventure before applying for new roles. One of my first landmark experiences was attending the Ultra Music Festival. There, I serendipitously crossed paths with the remarkable women of 2+2 Management. Their passion and career insights reignited the excitement I had been seeking. Inspired by their dedication, I founded A2Z Management a few months later.
This venture aimed to create a supportive community where artists, photographers, visual jockeys (VJs), and dancers could learn from one another. I dedicated my time to coaching music producers who were unsure of their next steps but brimming with potential.
While working closely with my team, I delved into tour management after a chance meeting with Sippy, leading to an event in Denver. Throughout 2022, I assisted numerous artists, eventually becoming an integral part of Kumarion’s team as his Tour Manager. I embraced every opportunity, eagerly saying “yes” to any task that came my way. Through these experiences, I met incredible individuals who generously shared their knowledge, helping me develop a strong work ethic. In addition to my professional endeavors, I volunteered my time to hone my skills with various companies, contributing to events like Beyond Wonderland and Okeechobee, and supporting local promoters like Party Guru in Denver.
I later joined Disco Presents, marking a significant new chapter in my career. As the Event Coordinator for Disco Presents, I assist with club shows across an array of U.S. markets and help manage operations for some of the coolest festivals in the U.S. and Mexico. Simultaneously, I continue coaching and developing artists through A2Z Management, supporting both established names like Kumarion, Justin Hawkes, as well as Managing rising talents like Acyan, Baclash, Dissolves, and Jvckpot.
My passion is connecting the right people with the right solutions and fosters a network where your word and work ethic are valued. I truly believe that symbiotic relationships drive success, and with the right mindset and motivation, we can create momentum that propels us forward and finally, I am able to work in a place that allows me to do just that, bring people together.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road? If not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Light heartedly, No. Nothing worth doing is ever easy. Everyone I’ve met in the music industry has faced challenges, and I’m no exception. Discovering something that resonates deeply with your heart and soul can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also shake your confidence and ego to their core. Not to mention, the music industry goes against most grain – day to day jobs you hear about, everything is different.
There were times when I faced challenges that could have been avoided with better preparation. As an innate problem solver, I’ve trained myself to anticipate potential issues before they arise. For instance, when I collaborated on a project and later realized the partnership wasn’t ideal, I had to navigate where my boundaries and expectations lay.
It’s important to be kind, but you also must advocate for the quality of work. I learned that feedback is crucial—many people are left without constructive criticism and simply vanish from consideration for future collaborations. I made a commitment to provide honest, respectful feedback, helping others grow and improve. After all, people aren’t perfect; we’re all just navigating life and learning as we go. Constructive feedback helps us all get better.
My role involves day-to-day management, marketing, promotion, and show planning for these artists. I am a helper. I seek to help others “lift off” and be an advocate.
In addition to this, I serve as the Event Coordinator for Disco Presents, where I help coordinate club shows across US markets and assist with festival operations, collaborating with our talented team of talent buyers daily and an array of day-to- day needs.
It’s important to be kind, but you also must advocate for the quality of work. I learned that feedback is crucial—many people are left without constructive criticism and simply vanish from consideration for future collaborations. I made a commitment to provide honest, respectful feedback, helping others grow and improve. After all, people aren’t perfect; we’re all just navigating life and learning as we go. Constructive feedback helps us all get better.
I also struggled with imposter syndrome when shifting industries and carving out my identity in the music world. It took me a while to realize that many others feel the same way, which is strangely comforting.
What else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My role involves day-to-day management, marketing, promotion, and show planning for these artists. I am a helper. I seek to help others “lift off” and be an advocate.
In addition to this, I serve as the Event Coordinator for Disco Presents, where I help coordinate club shows across US markets and assist with festival operations, collaborating with our talented team of talent buyers daily and an array of day-to- day needs.
The pandemic has affected us all in different ways. How has it impacted you, and what important lessons or epiphanies have you gained from it?
COVID-19 transformed our interactions, pushing many to feel more comfortable operating behind a screen. This shift made face-to-face conversations—both positive and challenging—less common, leading to increased anxiety and disconnect in communication. We became accustomed to avoiding difficult conversations, which can hinder the feedback loop. Most people aren’t trying to drop the ball; it often boils down to communication issues and the need to give others a chance to improve. We must return to honoring our relationships by openly sharing our expectations and providing constructive feedback, which is vital for growth
COVID-19 transformed our interactions, pushing many to feel more comfortable operating behind a screen. This shift made face-to-face conversations—both positive and challenging—less common, leading to increased anxiety and disconnect in communication. We became accustomed to avoiding difficult conversations, which can hinder the feedback loop. Most people aren’t trying to drop the ball; it often boils down to communication issues and the need to give others a chance to improve. We must return to honoring our relationships by openly sharing our expectations and providing constructive feedback, which is vital for growth
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.a2zartistmgmt.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letsraveaboutit/ and https://www.instagram.com/a2zartistmgmt/
Image Credits
These are all images owned by me.
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