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Sep 15 - Vote For Ashley! Local Singer Currently First In Unsigned Act Competition

A young local singer is in the finals of Star Central Magazine’s Unsigned Male Artist competition. Ashley Baglietto is in the top spot for this month’s competition run by the career promotion publication and you can vote for him by clicking this link: http://www.starcentralmagazine.com/male-artists-2/2014/08/22/male-artists-september-2014/ 

We caught up with Ashley and asked him about the competition and his music career.

YGTV: How did you start your career in music?

Ashley Baglietto: I've been interested in music from a very early age. I can't really say how it all started off, but my first time on stage was for JM Memorial Foundation. I also sang at Fuente Arts Festival in Marbella back in 2005.

YGTV: Who are your greatest inspirations?

AB: Strangely enough I don't have an idol. I've always been quite wary of the fact that most, if not all people have one, but I don't. I guess it's just because I tend to enjoy all types of music and never really got fixated with one certain artist. 

YGTV: Tell me more about the Star Central Magazine competition…

AB: Firstly, I created an account on an auditioning website. You can audition for many roles online and it's not just for singers, it's for all kinds of artists…even models. I saw that I could audition for Unsigned Male Artist - September Event. I decided to give it a shot and applied. The winner would be starred on Star Central Magazine, which is an international career promotion magazine.

After a few days I received confirmation that I had been short-listed from over 100 applicants and only 12 were left. Shortly after that, I got another email stating that I had been chosen as one of the top four for the spot and a voting poll was going live to determine the winner. I'm currently in first place but still need those votes to roll in. Putting Gibraltar on the world map is one of my dreams. You can vote once a day on the same IP address.

YGTV: Tell me about your experience in the ‘Gibraltar’s Got Talent’ show.

AB: Both times I've entered Gibraltar's Got Talent (GGT) have been a wonderful experience both the singing and the social aspects too. The first time I entered as a duo but I decided to try it alone this year. Both times I came in as second-runner up. Entering GGT has opened many doors for me as you get to sing in many local venues, including Latino's on the Beach and at Casemates for National Day.

YGTV: What are the biggest challenges facing young performers hoping to make an impression on the global music scene?

AB: I think one of the biggest challenges is over coming the "local barrier". In other words, finding exposure outside of Gibraltar. I feel most artists find it extremely difficult to get their name out in other countries. Living in such a small area, there isn't much room for expansion. For example, in the UK, you can come from Manchester but slowly start having gigs in other cities and make yourself well known around the country. You can't do that in Gibraltar. You have to go straight to being known internationally if you want to go far.

YGTV: What is the local music scene like for young performers?

AB: It is still difficult to break into the local music scene but I believe there's more interest in Gibraltar these past few years. There are more aims and objectives that weren't there in the past, e.g. being able to play at the Gibraltar Music Festival, and so more artists, especially bands, are making themselves known.

YGTV: What are your plans for the near future?

AB: I have a few gigs in line for the near future to get my name out here in Gib. I am also planning on entering either The X-Factor or The Voice and give it a shot. Even if I don't make it, the experience will be invaluable. 

You can have a taste of Ashley’s singing by visiting his Soundcloud page:

soundcloud.com/ashley-baglietto