Singer Reflects on Success of Debut Single
A Manx musician is making her mark on the island’s music scene since the release of her debut single, ‘Six Feet Under’.
The song, composed and performed by Alice Ashe, was released on Friday, October 24, 2025 and is the result of what the singer-songwriter describes as years of personal growth, emotional exploration and artistic development.
Nearly 5 months on from the release of her first single, Alice Ashe reflects on life since:
‘The response has been absolutely brilliant. [I am] genuinely shocked by the response as I never thought it would get listened to, never mind 20,000+ streams…I never thought I’d actually make any money from it being my debut song, but I’ve sold CDs / Merch and even a bit through streaming, which is mad.
My favourite memory since the release has to be Christmas Eve at the Mitre, we saved Six Feet Under until the last song, and everyone was singing it back to us, it was amazing! Made my whole year.’
The song combines heartfelt lyrics with a powerful vocal performance, showcasing Alice’s emerging style and individuality.
But music was not always the main focus for Alice, who began developing her own sound and style in her early twenties.
Before that, her priority was football – a sport she excelled in from a young age and in which she was even scouted by Chelsea.
Alice said: ‘I used to love listening to music and singing. I never did any of the productions or anything like that.’
Although music was always in the background, it took time for her to gain the confidence to step into the spotlight.
Lack of self-confidence, combined with the comfort of her football career, meant Alice did not fully venture into music until the Covid-19 lockdowns.
That period of reflection gave her the space to rediscover her passion.
She said: ‘I started off with open mics, then I’ve been gigging, and now I’m in a band.’
Those open mic nights proved a turning point, helping her find her voice and build confidence as a performer.
Using her lyrics as a form of healing, Alice hopes her music can do the same for others. ‘As long as it resonates with somebody, I think that’s the aim,’ she said.
Funding from the Isle of Man Arts Council helped her begin her professional journey, enabling her to find a local producer and start recording. She said the support gave her the confidence to take the next step and treat music as more than just a hobby.
Describing herself as a perfectionist, Alice takes inspiration from Stevie Nicks and other powerful female artists who bring raw emotion and energy to their work.
Alice believes the island is a unique place to begin a music career, ‘I think what’s unique about being an artist on the Isle of Man, is the connectivity of the place. As it’s a small island, you can get great opportunities through word of mouth.’
‘Especially if you just put yourself out there a bit. You can end up supporting big stars (like I did with The Shires) when they come over to play on island, which is unlike anywhere else in the world to be honest.’
