'Rebel' Rod's Revelations - Ashley Brooke Toussant to release "Sweetheart" this summer -

Debut Full-Length from Kent OH Singer/Songwriter Feels Retro in Several Ways

Kent, OH—Singer/songwriter Ashley Brooke Toussant has a fresh sound with a healthy respect for old-timey sounds and genres.  Her forthcoming album, Sweetheart, is Ashley’s full-length debut and the follow-up to 2008’s EP, All Songs in English.  The inspiration for Sweetheart, (funded in part with help from a campaign with Indie Go Go and due out late summer) stems from love that is mentioned in the album’s first and title track, and Golden Age old-time tracks including “Let Me Call You Sweetheart.”  In that vein, there are ten original songs and a stunning cover of Henry Mancini’s “Sweetheart Tree.”

Ashley will be previewing some of the tracks in a show next Wednesday, April 6 at the famed Kent Stage in her hometown. 

“The songs reflect on life here, the hopes and fears, coming back home and love,” Ashley said.  “The feel is more acceptance than any kind of gloom -- the acceptance of realizing  quirks and flaws.”

The songs on Sweetheart have been written over the course of the last few years as Ashley has moved from Chicago back to her native Northeast Ohio.  It will have more of a “live” feel than All Songs in English, and most of the tracks were performed with rhythm instruments all in one room being played simultaneously. 

“They (the guest musicians) added their flair and talents and they understand my tastes and the vision I have here too,” added Ashley.  “I feel so lucky to have them on these songs.”

Some of those surprise guest instrumentalists will be a pedal steel player and a clarinet player—and possibly flute and banjo.  And the production will show Ashley’s appreciation for music from bygone eras leading into the ‘60’s. 

“It’s reverb for everyone,” describes Ashley.  “It’s kind of surfer pop and Motown here and there, with that constant feel of folk and country music that I still appreciate too.”

And to pay homage to her favorite decades of music, Ashley is also planning to release some songs from Sweetheart on vinyl. 

For more information, please visit www.ashleybrooketoussant.com