As a young boy, Aaron James Cashell saw at close hand how to entertain a crowd. His dad, professional boxer John Davison, strutted his stuff for years in front of packed houses, winning a host of championship belts, as young Aaron watched from ringside. But it wasn’t in the boxing ring that Aaron chose to pursue his own particular dream, although years of sparring with his famous Dad have left him with a physique many boxers would envy.
‘For as long as I can remember, I’ve been writing songs’ recalls Aaron, now 25. ‘Even though I’ve spent hours and hours in the boxing gym, music has always been my first love.’
It’s a love he’s pursued with a passion, making his first public appearance at the tender age of just fourteen at a top Newcastle nightclub. ‘As soon as I walked on stage, I felt like a different person. I was completely hooked and it’s a magic that has never faded. I love being in the studio, but nothing compares to singing live.’
It was a talent that was nurtured by his parents. ‘About the time of my first gig, they bought me a guitar so I could start to play the tunes that until then had existed only in my head. I disappeared into my bedroom and they didn’t see me again until I was sixteen!’
Aaron was starting to develop his own style, which has continued to evolve, drawing on influences as wide as Musiq SoulChild, John Legend , Anthony Hamilton and Paulo Nutini (R Kelly/ Mary J Blige) as well as ??????? to develop musical identity which is a blend of R & B, Soul, Pop Dance and even Garage. His powerful yet soulful voice attracts the attention of all that listen.
After a number of other projects, including collaborating with US Grammy Award winner Murphy Lee of the St Lunitics (platinum selling artist Nelly’s Group) on the powerful POP/HIP HOP song Pimp Pimp Hooray, Aaron is more determined than ever to earn his big break all by himself. ‘Everything I’ve done has developed me both as a singer and a songwriter and I’ve loved all the experiences I’ve had. But it’s also important to me that I’m in control of my own destiny, my own music’.
It’s an attitude that’s stood him in good stead , with Blues & Soul Magazine describing Aaron as being gifted with a voice that could make him ‘the next major soul icon’ and comparing his talent to that of legends John B, Lemar and Nate James. High praise indeed.
Aaron has travelled far from his North East base to spread the word about his unique style, traveling to China , Switzerland , Dubai , Egypt as well as the length of the UK on tour appearing in some of the UK’s most popular clubs and exclusive events sharing the stage as the supporting act for acts like The Multi-Talented Taio Cruz, Professor Green, Kid British, Solange Knowles, Jagged Edge, Memphis Bleek & Joe Budden but Aaron still loves his home base ‘Home is where the heart is and I have a lot of people here who will come along and support me. I get a great reception in the North East and doing my thing here always feels just that little bit more special’.
Given the versatility of Aaron’s voice and the breadth of his musical influences, his debut album is sure to have a little bit of something for everyone ‘As I’ve matured, I write more and more about what has happened in my life , both good and bad. It’s what I feel people to relate to, the ups and downs that everyone has. It gives a little taste about what Aaron James Cashell is all about. Boxing’s loss is definitely music’s gain….
