WELCOME AJ! SO GREAT TO CONNECT WITH YOU, TELL US MORE ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHERE YOU ARE FROM?
I’m so glad to connect with you as well!! I’m a 27 year old pop singer/songwriter from Pittsburgh, PA! I’ve been performing since the age of 12. I studied opera at Carnegie Mellon University, but have always wanted to be a pop singer/songwriter – I may not have always known what that was, but I now know that’s what I wanted. 🙂
DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOUR HOMETOWN AND THE CITY YOU ARE FROM HAS ANY EFFECT ON THE MUSIC YOU CREATE?
Absolutely. I went to high school in downtown Pittsburgh, and my experience there definitely changed me. Going to an arts high school, I was finally able to make friends. CMU was also in Pittsburgh, so I didn’t go too far, though I’m moving to Nashville soon. I also think that all people see the world through the eyes of their experiences. The world I grew up in shaped me! That’s for sure. 🙂
WHEN DID YOU KNOW MUSIC WAS SOMETHING THAT YOU WANTED TO PURSUE?
I’ve never really wanted to do anything else! The Lord put it in my heart from a young age. I was always singing along with whatever music my parents and grandparents played for me, so I grew up on Sinatra, Dean Martin and the Beatles! My mom’s dad – my Pap – used to sing on the radio. I kid you not, those recordings sound like a Justin Bieber concert. He was living my dream!
YOU HAVE A NEW SINGLE COMING OUT – TELL US ALL ABOUT IT.
It’s called “We Were the Band!” This song is my stadium song – meaning I’ve had dreams of singing this with a sold out house, and the confetti coming down at the end of a concert! I get giddy just thinking about it. The song basically is about a love that feels like a constant party. You’re both so in love that everywhere you go together, that infectious energy follows. I’m so grateful to my co-writer Carrie Cunningham for writing it with me!! After recording, the song instantly became one of my favorites!!
HOW DID YOU KNOW THIS WOULD BE YOUR NEXT SINGLE – WHY THIS ONE?
This is a difficult question, haha! I bounced back and forth between the others that I’ve got in the pipeline for quite some time. I’m not entirely sure why I landed on this one, but it feels right. A lot of prayer and help from my mentors went into my decision. I care so much about this one!
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT WORKING ON MUSIC?
Currently I’m working as a food server at the Duquesne Club here in Pittsburgh in the evenings, and I also teach private voice, guitar, piano, ukulele, and commercial songwriting lessons! I also sing in the Schola Cantorum at Most Precious Blood of Jesus Parish on the North Side of the Burgh! However, on the off chance that I’m not working (what even is free time??!) I really enjoy going to the gym, watching tv, reading, and baking gluten and dairy free desserts!
WHERE CAN WE FIND YOUR NEW RELEASE AND FOLLOW YOU ONLINE?
“We Were the Band!” is out everywhere you get your music March 19!! You can follow me on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Snapchat @ajraggs. I try to post new content as often as I can. Let me know what you’d like to see or hear!
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING MORE FROM YOU THIS YEAR!
I can’t wait – gonna be an awesome year. Thanks again!!
End of Interview