In Nashville, we met the singer-songwriter and newlywed for a masterclass in matters of the heart.
Toward the end of our time together, Ashe references her 2020 release “Moral of the Story” as “the song that changed [her] life.” We’re in a king room in the Waymore Guest House in Nashville, the native Californian’s adopted home of the past decade. It’s a pretty romantic setting, which feels perfect for Ashelyn Rae Willson, who is both very pretty, and even more romantic.
Which, it turns out, has always been her superpower. processed her breakup through confessional lyrics like, ‘You can think that you’re in love, when you’re really just engaged’ – she was married out of college – “Moral of the Story” debuted soon after Ashe signed her divorce papers and was famously lipsynced by Lana Condor in Netflix’s To All the Boys sequel, and re-released as a duet with Niall Horan. She has carried the same candour into her own work as the frontwoman of The Favors, the two-piece band she co-leads with multi-hyphenate musician-producer Finneas. While The Favors’ throwback sensibility and gritty harmonies defy genre, it’s their effortless chemistry that continues to ignite comment sections.
But Ashe is now very much taken. The 32-year-old recently married to The Brook & The Bluff drummer John Canada, who she met when the band opened for her on tour in 2022. It’s a modern, music industry love story and, as we rug up for another cuffing season warmed by tales of ChatGPT relationships, it’s inspiring.
So, what does it take to bounce back from a crippling breakup, and how does finding the platonic ‘one’ compare to romantic partnerships? We asked Ashe all our burning questions about finding, falling and staying in love, in hopes of learning a thing or two.
How did your first love change you?
Honestly, between my first love and his family, they gave me so much security and love I hadn’t had at the time — so they taught me a lot about feeling safe.
How has fame complicated or clarified your understanding of connection?
I think it’s clarified my understanding of connection in that you can really feel when someone is putting on for you or being genuine. It’s also made my inner circle much smaller and more trustworthy.
Is there a kind of love you’re still learning how to receive?
Gifts! It’s always been hard for me to accept a gift that I feel like I haven’t “earned” or “deserve.” But I do think I’m getting a little better.
Have you ever felt misunderstood in relationships because of your art, or vice versa?
One billion percent. I had someone who thought I was using music as a way of escaping him and our relationship and was jealous of me having a career period.
How have you applied what you’ve learned in romantic relationships to your collaborative partnerships?
I think so. I think kindness and respect go a long way romantically and platonically. Also, just being a good communicator; not being afraid to be vulnerable and honest.
What’s a belief about love you’ve outgrown?
I used to believe I had to be like them to be loved by them so I would morph into what I felt they needed me to be. I couldn’t be less that way now.
Has love ever surprised you by showing up in a form you didn’t recognise at first?
Well. I was surprised when love showed up to my 2022 tour in the form of the drummer of the band opening for me. I had a boyfriend at the time but strangely knew I had met my husband.
What’s one thing you’ve learned about love this year?
One thing, hmm… I’ve learned that love is dedication. My husband and I did premarital counseling this year before we got married in October— committing to that process was sometimes overwhelming, especially in the middle of tours and putting albums out, but it drastically connected us.
Words – Beatrice Hazlehurst
