Ashnikko, the Blue-Haired Alt-Pop Cultural Disrupter Lures us in to her Dystopian Fantasies
Blue-haired alt-pop superstar Ashnikko is entering 2023 with a bang with a new, fiery, fuck-you anthem “You Make Me Sick”. When you turn on Ashnikko’s audio waves you’re instantly transported to a hyper, horny, whimsical universe where emotions are dramatized, gender stereotypes are disrupted, and revenge reigns supreme. This is classic Ashnikko, with her furious feminist energy on full display. It’s the first taste of her highly-anticipated debut album WEEDKILLER coming early summer.
“You Make Me Sick” follows Ashnikko’s hugely successful 2021 mixtape DEMIDEVIL and 2019 EP Hi, It’s Me, which set her straight on the path to superstardom, earning widespread global acclaim from the likes of VOGUE, NPR, The New York Times, NME, Pitchfork, The FADER, and many more. She’s since gathered north of 2.5 BILLION total career streams and nearly 900 million YouTube views to date – thanks in part to platinum-certified singles “Daisy” and “Stupid” (feat. Baby Tate), as well as gold-certified hit “Slumber Party” (feat. Princess Nokia). Over the past year, she’s performed on Late Night with Seth Meyers and Jimmy Kimmel Live! and brought her wildly wonderful world to life on her completely sold-out U.S. headline tour, as well as Lollapalooza, Gov Ball, Reading and Leeds, Bonnaroo, and more. Next on her repertoire is her debut Coachella performance. We know she is going to electrify the stage with her blue hair and cultural disruptions.
There’s an insane creative concept for her upcoming album WEEDKILLER, which tells the story of a civilization occupied and destroyed by killer machines (Weedkillers) that feed on organic matter. The protagonist is a faerie who has her world assailed and wings torn out; a survivor who seeks revenge by becoming part machine. It’s a compelling dystopian fantasy as well as poetic commentary on environmental disaster and the rapid evolution of technology that firmly reasserts Ashnikko as one of today’s most innovative alt pop artists.
“My bioluminescent heart is glowing. My post-apocalyptic fae world is here for you to journey into. My wings have been ripped out, but I’ve built them anew using WEEDKILLER machine parts. I am the one sent here to eliminate you, WEEDKILLER” Ashnikko states.
We had the pleasure of interviewing Ashnikko on her creative process, the messages behind her dystopian fantasies, her debut appearance at Coachella, and her upcoming tour set to kick start in September. Ashnikko’s songs are like portals. Learn more about this fiery cultural disrupter whose impact is translucent.
Follow Ashnikko:
Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | Twitter | Facebook
FEATURE INTERVIEW
You just released your latest project Worms – with two songs Worms& You Make Me Sick!What is your song writing process? What are some of your favorite effects to add to your voice (i.e. reverb, distortion, delay)?
My songwriting process is a practice in chaotic mood boarding. I mash together quotes from books, visual art I like, words I like the sound of, mythology, and folklore into one big document and weave together something of my own.
WEEDKILLER, your Debut Album will be released on June 2nd. What can listeners expect to be transported into?
I’ve created a post-apocalyptic fae world where machines consume the life force of the tree spirits and the fae are forced to become cyborg to fight them off.
You will be going on tour to promote your debut album WEEDKILLER. From North America, to Europe, UK & Ireland, what cities are you most excited to visit?
I cannot in good conscience choose a favorite city because every city is different and brings so much energy and love. Though I am excited to play my home state shows in North Carolina for sentimental reasons!
You’re also making your Coachella debut this month! What are you most looking forward to at the festival/about your performance?
I have many theatrical tricks in store. Big big drama! Choreo! I won’t spoil it, that’s no fun!!
If you could work on a project with one of your favorite artists, who would it be?
I would love to work with M.I.A.! I wouldn’t be the artist I am without her music. She was the first artist to completely and totally captivate me as a kid. She still does now in my adulthood!
How is your creativity disrupting culture and pushing boundaries?
Put those blinders on!!! No emulating anyone else or comparing myself to them. I also try to find really unconventional sources of inspiration like nice trees and books.
Follow Ashnikko:
Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | Twitter | Facebook
UPCOMING US TOUR DATES
FESTIVALS
April 14, 2023 – Indio, CA – Coachella
April 21, 2023 – Indio, CA – Coachella
WEEDKILLER TOUR 2023 – US LEG
September 15, 2023 – Minneapolis, MN – The Fillmore Minneapolis
September 16, 2023 – Chicago, IL – Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom
September 18, 2023 – Columbus, OH – KEMBA Live!
September 19, 2023 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE
September 21, 2023 – Toronto, ON – Rebel
September 22, 2023 – Royal Oak, MI – Royal Oak Music Theatre
September 23, 2023 – Cleveland, OH – Agora Theater & Ballroom
September 25, 2023 – Boston, MA – Roadrunner
September 26, 2023 – New York, NY – Brooklyn Mirage
September 28, 2023 – Philadelphia, PA – Skyline Stage at The Mann
September 29, 2023 – Washington, DC – The Anthem
September 30, 2023 – Richmond, VA – The National
October 02, 2023 – Raleigh, NC – The Ritz
October 03, 2023 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore Charlotte
October 05, 2023 – St. Petersburg, FL – Jannus Live
October 06, 2023 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Revolution Live at the Backyard
October 07, 2023 – Orlando, FL – House of Blues Orlando
October 10, 2023 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy
October 11, 2023 – Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works
October 13, 2023 – St. Louis, MO – The Pageant
October 14, 2023 – Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater
October 16, 2023 – Denver, CO – The Mission Ballroom
October 17, 2023 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex Rockwell
October 19, 2023 – Vancouver, BC – PNE Forum
October 20, 2023 – Seattle, WA – Showbox SoDo
October 21, 2023 – Portland, OR – Roseland Theater
October 24, 2023 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theater
October 27, 2023 – Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren
TEAM CREDITS
Photographer – Bonnie Nichoalds @bonnienichoalds
Assistant – Ananza Lavialle @ananzalavialle
Styling – Kaij @kaijfashion
Makeup – David Velazquez @mugopus
Hair – Arianna Blean @ariannachayleneblean
Set design – Gina Dorsey @big.bina
Assisted by Heavenly Barnett
Nails: Krista Jones – @krista_la_creme
Features Editor – Shirley Reynozo @moyamusic_
Galore Art Direction – Perrin Johnson @editsbyperry
Editor in Chief – Prince Chenoa @princechenoastudio
FASHION CREDITS
Look 1 :
Gold Corset : Wiederhoeft @wiederhoeft_
Brown Boots : Ellie Shoes @ellie_shoes
Jewelry : Sprado @sprado_jewels & Federica Rossi Jewels @frjewels
Look 2 :
Puff Dress : Pipenco @pipencolorena
Black Shorts : Zemeta @zemeta_official
Nude Heels : Marc Fisher @marc.fisher
Jewelry : Dust Bunniess @dustbunniess.store , Lavie Boheme Jewelry @laviebohemejewelry & CLED @cled
Look 3 :
Button Up : Prophetik @prophetik
Plaid Pants : Sami Miro Vintage @samimirovintage
Jewelry : CLED @cled
