I’m Todd L. Burns, and welcome to Music Journalism Insider, a newsletter about music journalism. Click here to subscribe!
Ashlee Mitchell is an actor, writer, and content creator. In terms of music journalism, Ashlee focuses (but not exclusively) on k-pop. “After the death of George Floyd, I noticed some k-pop journalists were offering to help young Black writers who wanted to write for bigger publications,” says Ashlee. “I reached out to a few and was encouraged to pitch my ideas. I ended up securing my first pitch at Teen Vogue, which was an interview with a K-rock group called 2z, and just spent the rest of that summer pitching and building a portfolio.” Fast forward two years, and Ashlee now has bylines at GRAMMY.com, Dazed, and many other outlets.
How did you get to where you are today, professionally?
It really started with my passion for k-pop. I studied abroad in Korea in fall of 2019, and when I got back, I wanted to find a way to work with idols. I initially volunteered at k-pop concerts for VAV and 1Team, but when Covid hit, all the shows got canceled and I needed something new to do. I decided to tap into writing because it’s something I’ve been good at my whole life. I applied to a volunteer based K-pop magazine called The Kraze, where I ended up with my own column called “Ladies Corner.” It was biweekly and I would also do some new release coverage. I had been writing for them for about a month, and then, when BLM started making noise on social media after the death of George Floyd, I noticed some k-pop journalists were offering to help young Black writers who wanted to write for bigger publications. I reached out to a few and was encouraged to pitch my ideas. I ended up securing my first pitch at Teen Vogue, which was an interview with a K-rock group called 2z, and just spent the rest of that summer pitching and building a portfolio.
I think it really took a turn when I interviewed Taemin of Shinee. That was my first official K-pop idol interview, and for the next few months, I focused on doing profiles/artist interviews. In less than a year, I got offered an interview with BTS for the Grammys. I’ve also interviewed American artists like Saweetie, Umi, and Mariah the Scientist.
Walk me through a typical day-to-day for you right now.
These days, I rarely ever pitch ideas, but I’ve been getting a lot of interview requests either from publicists or media publications. So if something sounds good to me, I’ll agree to do it. I check my email a few times each day. If I get an interview secured, I prepare for that by scrolling the internet, listening to the artist’s music, etc. I conduct the interview, usually via Zoom, then I transcribe it, write the article, and submit it to the editor. I make any final edits they request, and when the article goes live I share it on my socials. I do a lot of other things besides journalism, so it’s something I have to fit around my schedule. I do the bulk of my writing in the evenings.
What does your media diet look like?
I watch TV, usually something on HBO Max or Netflix, mostly when I’m eating. I scroll a little too much on Instagram, Tiktok, and Twitter throughout the day. I read a lot of articles, which I’ve been doing since middle school. I check Teen Vogue’s website almost daily just out of habit. I sometimes read my own articles just because so many memories start flooding in. Occasionally, I’ll read a book but I do that a lot less these days.
What’s one tip that you’d give a music journalist starting out right now?
My number one tip is to just go for it, whatever you want to do. I’m the type of person who doesn’t like taking no for an answer and will go all in for something I care about. I think hesitancy or lack of confidence can be a huge detriment for someone pursuing music journalism. You really have to have a go-getter mentality and not be afraid of rejection or constructive feedback.
What artist or trend are you most interested in right now?
I’ve been very interested in this new girl group called FLO. There haven’t been many good girl groups outside of K-pop in the last decade, and they’re bringing back all the 90s and y2k flare we’ve been missing out on in music. I’ve also been listening to a lot of Afrobeats lately and I’ve been enjoying house and drill music as well. I love seeing Black artists reclaim genres like house, rock, etc. that we created and don’t always get the credit for.
What’s your favorite part of all this?
My favorite part from the beginning has always been getting to connect with artists on a deeper level. I did this because I wanted to really humanize the artists, and I think I’ve accomplished just that. I get to listen to music early, receive gifts from my favorite artists, attend press events, and overall feel more connected to the music than I ever did before. When I receive feedback from an artist I’ve met that they enjoyed talking to me or they felt comfortable or they remember me, it’s always special and a reminder of how I turned my fandom into a career opportunity.
Recently, I interviewed Enhypen and I asked the members if they had any last words. One of the members, Jake, said “Shout out to Ashlee!” and it just put a smile on my face. I really love seeing how friendly these artists are when it’s just you and them.
What was the best track / video or film / book you’ve consumed in the past 12 months?
There’s this book called How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie that I read earlier this year. My mentor Gordon Dillard, who manages Doja Cat, recommended it to me when I told him I wanted more help networking and talking to people. It’s such a good read and honestly helped boost my confidence in making conversation and leaving a lasting impact on people. I remember I met a rapper by chance shortly after that conversation and I could feel that the tips really worked.
If you had to point folks to one piece of yours, what would it be and why?
It’s impossible to pick one so I’ll do 2. My Meet The First Time Grammy Nominees: BTS interview with the Grammys was a major personal milestone, and a big moment in their careers as well, so I always point to that. I think I got some really good, insightful answers out of them with my questions as well.
A personal favorite I always shout out is my Taemin interview for Hypebae. It’s called “TAEMIN ON THE MAKING OF ‘NEVER GONNA DANCE AGAIN : ACT 2’” and I remember the night we talked so vividly. It was my second time interviewing him and I think I did a great job capturing the essence of both him and that album. I always feel proud whenever I read it.
Anything you want to plug?
Just my TikTok and Twitter, which are both @itgirlash. My instagram which is @ashlee.luvv, and also my linktree which has my writing portfolios on them along with my socials.
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