Ashley Kutcher: "The fact that other people can relate makes me feel not so alone."

Whether it's moving to New York City or signing to Interscope records, it's been a dreamlike few years for Baltimore singer-songwriter Ashley Kutcher. Now, looking back on her success ahead of her newest single release, she has a big thing to thank: the power of TikTok.

A part of the burgeoning group of artists who made a name for themselves through the app, Kutcher is not taking her sudden launch into internet stardom for granted.

"For me, it was just fun. I was playing these bar gigs, I was just hanging out with people really. I was releasing music, just sharing it to share and an audience came — it was totally surreal," the singer shared, surrounded by her new Brooklyn apartment.

Known for her unique blend of vulnerability and danceability, her musical story is a sign of the times. Before her breakout single 'Love You From a Distance' went on to garner over 46 million streams on Spotify, Kutcher was a nursing major at Towson University in Maryland, United States.

"I had a few songs do well on TikTok, but when I put out 'Love You From Distance' it just started blowing up on the internet like crazy," Kutcher explained. "I was in nursing school doing clinicals! So it just got overwhelming, I was getting texts and emails with people saying they were interested in my music, and it came to a point where I was like, 'wow, this is actually a career option.'"

Taking the leap into music wasn't an easy one — it meant leaving behind the stability of a traditional career, moving up the coast and contending with confused friends and family.

"I never thought I'd be given the opportunity," the singer admitted. "But I thought, since I was lucky enough to be in that position, I have this degree now — a career can wait. I'm going to try something I'm really passionate about and see how it goes."

"With that came some struggles. With nursing, you can leave the job at night and maybe not think about it for the time you have off. With music, I'm non-stop thinking about it. It's a full time job, day and night. It's rewarding, but definitely a different mindset."

Having released her debut EP, One Eighty, in 2021, Kutcher's career has only existed during the pandemic years. Where traditionally bands would work small clubs, building a local crowd little by little, test out their music and live chops, Kutcher wasn't afforded that opportunity. Instead, she turns to the next best thing — the internet. It's here where TikTok comes in, serving as a pseudo audience who can cheer through the screen.

"Since it was during the pandemic, all the attention I felt wasn't from shows or live music, it was all on my phone. It was definitely all consuming, I don't even know how to explain it," Kutcher said.

"People are really active on TikTok. I love that, it makes me so much more excited to release new music. It's just so nice to have the constant reassurance, even if it's from a small group of people — just knowing that they're there and they love it means so much."

Despite being created under the conditions of lockdown, the intense vulnerability and gentle honesty that is woven into Kutcher's songs imbue her music with the feeling of human connection, serving as an important outlet both for the singer and her audience.

Whether it's the acoustic strumming of 'Love You From a Distance,' or the far-off vocals and tender piano of 'Love You More,' the instrumentals provide an important canvas in which she paints her lyricism — chronicling the gentle moments of growing up, loving and living.

"It just feels good to write it and get it all out," she explained. "And the fact that other people can relate to my music makes me feel not so alone with how I'm feeling. So in a way, being vulnerable actually makes me feel better, too."

Looking ahead to her debut album, which is set to release later this year, the 23-year-old is looking to be an even more authentic songwriter.

"When I first started, I was thinking 'what is a combination of how I enjoy songwriting, and what people want to hear?' and they landed on the same answer," the singer said. "And that was sitting down with my acoustic guitar and writing songs just like that. I really just like sitting down and telling a story, and getting the important things across."

"Not every song on the album is going to be the same," Kutcher explained. "Some are more upbeat, they're something people can vibe out to — I don't want every song to just be a sad song."

Now, having played two sold-out headline shows, amassing over 20 million streams independently and signing a record deal — the singer-songwriter is just excited to keep sharing. Releasing the second single off of her debut album, a pop-forward track on the futility of time called 'Nothing's All The Time,' today, the rising star is continuing on her journey towards the top.

"There's no way to explain how it feels to create something and then have people love it,' she gushed. "It's all just so surreal, and so amazing."

Watch the video for 'Nothing's All The Time,' below: