Norelle Talks New Music, the Importance of Backup Vocalists, Performing at the Grammy’s and Super Bowl, and Finding love on Tour with Rihanna
“I’m just trying to figure this shit out” is a life mantra everyone can relate to. The hunger for success often drives us to not revel in successfully clearing one milestone for long because we want to plot on the next big move. Dream chasing can be tiresome, and often feel overwhelming yet unsatisfactory when the only direction is forward. Fortunately for Ashley Norelle Simpson, taking the surname Johnson through marriage, she has had a long career with many major moments to reflect on and empower her journey. Reminders that she is more than capable.
Norelle spoke with me in the midst of squeezing in a french manicure with a “chocolate marble” twist before driving back home to spend time with her son. She enthusiastically stated how she was multitasking, which came as no surprise in the fast-moving music industry. It was also a special time for her, as she was preparing to hit the stage for the first time since the pandemic for the Black Fridays Concert Series in LA. “It’s the open mic music community in Los Angeles kind of coming together, trying to bring live music experiences back into--it's not reality--but just bring the experience back for people come out, enjoy themselves, and enjoy live music.”
There was genuine excitement that was undeniable, which only confirmed how much she loves to perform and how confident she is in herself given the hiatus. It should come as no surprise given she shared the 2020 Grammy’s Stage with Alicia Keys, saw an album with her contributions win a Grammy that very same night in 2019’s Ventura by Anderson .Paak, and then tore up the Super Bowl Halftime show with Jennifer Lopez and Shakira the following week. Not to mention touring with the likes of Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, and Meghan Trainor and performing on American Idol, The Four, Ellen, and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon; an open mic night might as well be another rehearsal. However, this wasn’t a role where she is supporting a lead performer; she was the centerpiece, but these are the opportunities the songstress wants for herself.
“I would like to be recognized for the artist I am outside of background vocalist things that I’ve done. I would absolutely love to be nominated for a Grammy as myself and win that Grammy as myself. I would love to go on tour as myself and venture off into other areas of creativity.” It’s been a journey for the Cleveland-born artist but she’s grateful for all of the experiences, from backing up Conya Doss in her hometown back in 2007 and 2008 all the way to now as she focuses on her next project set to release later this year.
“I think that being a background vocalist doesn’t get the respect that it should. It definitely is an art. I don’t think that every singer can be a background vocalist. It definitely takes a certain discipline with your voice, knowing how to manipulate it to sound like the artist and to not be up there as yourself. I feel honored that they have trusted me to be in that position.”
Said position has brought more than musical pleasure. Norelle has the tour life to thank for her now two-year union. Norelle met her talented drummer husband Chris Johnson while on tour with Rihanna, and despite the conflicting narratives on dating within your industry, the parallel lifestyles have been a key to their success.
“Being creative is my balance. I don’t know that I would be able to be an intimate relationship with somebody that doesn’t understand what I do because so many things come with being a creative.” Late nights, studio sessions with counterparts, moments of emotional instability, doubt, and isolation are just a few of the many battles creators face daily, but two people who understand each other and fight them together is better than one. This also allows opportunities for collaboration, as Chris has assisted her with production on 2018 EP Love, Norelle, music for her upcoming body of work, and her Black Fridays Concert Series set. “Knowing that I have someone there that is invested on more than one level to make sure that I’m good means a lot.”
Norelle calls this the “I’m just trying to figure this shit out” stage of her career, thus her commitment to the craft is essential. She is strengthening her voice through self-taught vocal production, as well as putting authenticity at the forefront. “I have so much music that I’m sitting on and I made a promise to myself that I’m not sitting on anything else. I’m gonna put it out there and whoever it’s for will love it. If it’s not for them, that’s cool too. I won’t be for everybody. Everybody is not for everybody.”
When asked what she wants people to feel when listening to her, she replied with a story of how a friend of hers recently called her to commend the new “Back Into You” visual as it felt like Norelle was channeling certain energy and exhibiting full freedom. “That was so powerful for me because I feel like I am walking into the more authentic place of being an artist. That has given me freedom and confidence in my ability so I’m not always second-guessing myself. To know that energy is translating is so cool.”
Given the range of talents she has toured with, especially the majority being incredible women, it was easy to assume she tries to apply various influences to her music. However, when it comes to her own music, the versatile talent is all about remaining within the R&B landscape. “I want people to feel loved because R&B music is about love, whether it’s coming or going. I want people to feel that love, whether it’s self-love or loving somebody else.” Look no further than her goosebump-raising 2018 take on Sade’s “Is It A Crime” or the five-minute, 22-second soul snatcher “Deeper” from 2020.
She pours love into her work, and it overflows through our headphones and Bluetooth speakers. “This is a real, true labor of love for me to believe in myself and invest in myself. This is what I’ve been dreaming of doing since I was a kid.” It is empowering for her to approach the journey with this mindset, and not letting the obstacles that come with being an independent artist discourage her. “I’m ‘independent independent.,’ not like independent but signed to a distribution deal. I’m paying for promotions, PR, and trying to get my song on the radio. I’m digging it out by myself and it’s cool. It really makes me appreciate the wins.”
Norelle says her next EP is in its final stages and we can expect to hear more heartfelt tunes no later than June 2021. “Absolutely no later than June because I’ve been working on this music since 2018.” Her demanding schedule obviously plays a major part in this, so the pandemic taking her off the road was a nice change of pace. “It was cool. I could have a break. I have a family and we spend a lot of our time away from each other or someone visiting wherever we are in the world. It was cool to get a break, be in one place for a little to record and finish my music.”
As we saw early on, despite the risk, artists like Giveon and Snoh Aalegra couldn’t pass up the opportunity to link in the studio, but it gave us a track as powerful as “Last Time.” Norelle was a bit less willing to risk it but acknowledges declining an invite from Anderson .Paak to meet up may have been what kept from her the upcoming Silk Sonic project from him and Bruno Mars.
“I don’t know when they started recording it, but if it was during the quarantine then I was definitely laying low at the beginning of it. I saw him recently for his birthday and he made a joke like ‘I asked you to pull up to the studio. So you ain’t want to come through?’ I told him ‘If these are the sessions I missed out on, I will be pissed.’” Selflessly, she is happy for the fellow Californian’s success and growth, drawing inspiration from his path from the underground to widely known musical genius. She also knows that her time is coming.
Even with all of the amazing opportunities and accomplishments, Norelle isn’t finished by a longshot. She has a few more fantasy collaborations in mind and personal accolades to reach. “I would love to work with D’mile. He is an incredible producer, like all of our favorite artists right now, he is producing for. I love Victoria Monet and am inspired by her songwriting and artistry. She’s a badass female musician, not just a singer, and I think that gets lost. Also, H.E.R, her tone is super unique. Drake popped up in my mind as well. I’ve been vibing out to his latest release like ‘How does he impress me every time?’ Nothing’s changed with his approach but he still impresses me. It’s incredible.”
Norelle has already surmounted heights that some can only imagine, so there is no doubt that she will soon make some or all of these things happen. That’s the beauty of keeping your head down and working hard. It may not lead to what you want when you want it, but it always leads to something good. Perhaps that means she’ll be up for R&B album of the year in the next few years and I’ll be on the red carpet reminding her how we laughed about zodiac signs and men having a say in their partners’ nail color selections. We’ll figure it out.
You can follow Norelle at @norelleiam on Twitter and IG and stream her music on all platforms.
