Page 39 - May 2022

Ainsley Costello
In a world dominated by internet sensations and world dominating superstars, Ainsley Costello is determined to create a career that stands the test of time. 17-year- old Ainsley began performing in school talent shows and musical theater when she was 7. By the time she was 14, she was regularly holding down 3-hour sets with a full band of adult professionals. After performing at NAMM and receiving her first endorsement from Breedlove Guitars at 14, she began touring the West Coast full-time while finishing high-school online. At 15 she began taking classes at the prestigious Berklee College of Music while simultaneously finishing her H.S. finals. She is now finishing up her sophomore year at Berklee, studying Music Business, while pursuing music full time.
Delicately delivered yet powerfully profound,
Ainsley’s heartfelt and personal approach to lyricism
translates into an easily digestible and heartwarming
listening experience. The Seattle native, now based in Nashville, released a strikingly diverse debut album titled ‘You Know I Am’ when she was just 15. On the surface, it was a collection of country pop songs but dig deeper and you’ll unravel a multitude of diverse musical influences and lyrics that speak to the insecurities of today’s teen girls.
Prior to the pandemic, Ainsley had performed over 130 shows in 10 states. In January of 2020, she and her family relocated to Nashville, just as the world and the music industry shut down. But that didn’t stop Ainsley from entrenching herself in the Nashville writing scene. During that time, she wrote over 100 songs and recorded and released 12 singles in 2021. Now, with a catalog of over 150 unreleased songs and 20 studio recorded releases (streaming worldwide) Ainsley already has a body of work that speaks volumes for her young age.
Initially inspired by a strong cadre of female country artists like CAM, Kelsea Ballerini, Taylor Swift and Caitlyn Smith, Ainsley found rock inspiration in the heart of Nashville’s diverse music scene. Learning that some of her favorite bands (Paramore, Kings of Leon) came launched from Nashville has inspired her to exploe a broader, edgier sound – while remaining lyrically true to her heart.
About Little Sister
“Little Sister” takes us on an emotional journey about finding your own path, no matter the consequences, and tells a heartfelt story that everyone can identify with, no matter your age. The song exudes a delicate but powerful delivery with goosebump- inducing melodies and a liking for choruses that make you want to sing your heart out.
“Little Sister” represents more than just a sibling relationship. It invokes the idea that following in anyone’s footsteps can mess with your heart and mind. Whether it’s an actual sibling or someone you look up to, the lyrics “Walking in the shadow of your light” represent more than just literally following in someone’s footsteps. It’s all about the idea that being unique in today’s world is harder than ever. Saturated by social media platforms today’s youth are bombarded with images and ideals that aren’t realistic. An innocent admiration for “influencers” or “mega stars” grows into idolization that is unhealthy and unproductive. Even though I am an only child, this song is about being held to an impossible standard in the music industry. To the idea that the superstars before me set a bar that I must live up to.
“Screaming at the top of her lungs” Ainsley doesn’t want to be a version of the ‘big sister’ but would rather be the first Ainsley Costello.
“It’s so easy to allow parts of our idols’ identities to become ingrained in our own. I know I’ve struggled and had to take a step
back and find my own person in all of this. We all have someone in our lives, whether it’s a sibling figure or even just a role model
that we look up to and it can be hard to just be ourselves when we are following in someone else’s footsteps.” – Ainsley Costello
Socials https://www.instagram.com/ainsleycostello_official https://www.facebook.com/ainsleycostelloofficial/?ref=pages_you_manage https://twitter.com/ainsleymusic07 https://open.spotify.com/artist/3bUYu6ZgtImljj9FBrnTmF?si=ceR1VCWaQJCRrCGxy7IGvg