We’ve Got A File On You features interviews where artists share the stories, extracurricular activities that dot their careers: acting gigs, guest appearances, random web ephemera, and more.

It would be an understatement to say that 2004 was a pop culture explosion. The Razr phone was all the rage, meticulously curating its Top 8 on MySpace is a full-time job, the final season of Friends broke millions of hearts, and #Nipplegate has become a national debate. And when it comes to music, there’s a certain pop-punk newcomer who’s poised to make history. That’s right: Ashlee Simpson.

Simpson, with her jet-black hair and edgy style, emerged as the antithesis of her pop sister, blonde princess Jessica. With the release of his 2004 debut album, Autobiography, Simpson proved to be “moody and messy”, playing in a grittier sound that evoked Avril Lavigne, Gwen Stefani, Hole and Joan Jett. And the realization of the commission captured through MTV’s reality series The Ashlee Simpson Show, which helped make Simpson even more of a star.

Autobiography, which Simpson wrote largely with Kara DioGuardi and producer John Shanks, a dying diary of 12 titles emblematic of the adolescent experience: melodrama, heartbreak, love and jealousy. Prior to The Ashlee Simpson Show, the singer shared her heart-rending solo debut “Pieces Of Me,” which was followed by the power ballad “Shadow” and the provocative anthem “La La. “Meanwhile, a lip-sync incident on Saturday Night Live noticeably overshadowed her star status, an unfair progression given the scale of the practice.

Simpson released two more albums after Autobiography, 2005’s I Am Me and 2008’s Bittersweet World, and returned in 2018 with Ashlee Evan, a collaborative EP with her spouse Evan Ross.

But Simpson and her music have continued to be respected by many, and with the resurgence of pop-punk in recent years, her palpable influence has been forgotten, as have new artists such as Olivia Rodrigo, Meet Me @ The Altar, WILLOW and Chloe. Moriondo. followed the defining sonic palette that Simpson helped shape from the beginning.

Just days before Autobiography’s 20th anniversary on Saturday, and the release of an expanded edition on Friday, Simpson is flying in from Malibu, where she’s looking to escape the heat. It’s been a long time since he wore his black hair (he’s been varying shades of sunshine). copper and Venetian blonde for a few years), but his unbridled enthusiasm for his latest album has not waned.

In an interview with Stereogum, Simpson talks about the expanded release of Autobiography, an album he’s releasing with Jenny Lewis, and about creating new music.

Growing up in Texas and alongside your sister, who followed the more classic pop star path, how did you become more involved in select music?

ASHLEE SIMPSON: When I was younger, third grade consisted exclusively of Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu. I liked Green Day and Nirvana. And then come Alanis Morissette, Fiona Apple and Jewel. And I don’t forget going to Lilith Fair and seeing Joan Osborne and all these amazing, strong women, and I thought, “This is what I want to do. “That’s when I knew this was what I was looking to do. I wanted to be up there. I was moved. He replaced me. I mean, we want a Lilith Fair reunion.

Who would be in your lineup for Lilith Fair today?

SIMPSON: Chappell [Roan]. She is amazing. I love her songs and the whole atmosphere of her. That’s great. I would love to see it live. There are so many amazing female artists right now that I would love to see, but I would also love to see Jewels and everyone else because Jewel and Sarah McLachlan have such a lovely, incredible sound. And I play it for my daughter. [Jagger] too. I saw Alanis two years ago and I felt like a kid again. She was really a nice mother because when she was in 5th grade, my mother wouldn’t let me pass because she was sure to say bad words. And then it was my birthday and my mother took me out.

You’re a ballet dancer and your sister’s backup dancer. How did you fall in love with dance?

SIMPSON: I’ve been dancing since I was a baby and I was a dancer. I went to American Ballet school and always wanted to do theater. There was a moment when I thought, okay, I think I’m done with ballet, although at 40 years old at most it still lives in my bones. I always love spending some ballet time with my daughter or just listening to trendy dance music. But then when my sister went on a field trip, most of the time I could stay at the ballet school and do that, or just hang out with my sister on a field trip and dance. It was fun for me because I’m not literally a hip-hop dancer, so I was literally learning how to get down, how to get down. It was really a lot of fun to enjoy that experience of growing up on the trip. I lived another life, but it was an exclusive and very cool life. I think I always learned while doing that: “Oh, this is rarely very for me. »Then the next year, when I was 15, while I was on a hike with her, I asked my guitarist to come over to her and act as a guitar tech so I could write songs too.

You played Cecilia, who dated Simon (David Gallagher), on 7th Heaven for 40 episodes. In years, the screen has been reevaluated by many TikTokers. Did you ever watch her again or play Cecilia and how do you see the series now?

SIMPSON: I didn’t watch it again, but I did an interview with Beverley [Mitchell], Mackenzie [Rosman] and David [to review a new podcast], and it was really fun to relive those memories. I even realized that I had done [so many] episodes of this show. It was a really fun set and they would say, “We don’t forget that you went to your trailer and wrote songs. I enjoyed everyone on that set, and Beverley was my smart friend. They would come and pay attention to what I was writing or I would say, “Listen to this song. “But it’s fun to look at Cecilia and the memories of 7th Heaven. They would tell me, “We didn’t even know you were a janitor. I was like, “yes, I was the janitor’s daughter and I was cleaning the school floor. “

I feel like TikTok revealed it was a lot more than I remembered.

SIMPSON: I know. It’s funny because I don’t think you even realize. When she was on set, she didn’t know if she carried the message to the core or how she wouldn’t address certain topics. But that being said, it’s a great show.

Just before I signed with Geffen, your song was featured on the Freaky Friday soundtrack. You, Lindsay Lohan, and Pink Slip sounded very similar on the soundtrack. Have we ever talked about collaboration?

SIMPSON: No, we never collaborated, but I saw this movie with my daughter and I thought, “I forgot my song. ” And I thought, “This is my song. ” They are in the car. It’s cute. We had another moment like that and she said to me, ‘Mom, your song ‘Nothing New’ about Hannah Montana. ” It’s fun to see her notice those moments. She didn’t know my song about Hannah Montana.

You and Jessica were two of the first stars of truth television. After starring in a truth program at the beginning and back in 2018, how are these reports different?

SIMPSON: I think there’s been a huge shift in truth television. I just saw Matt Anderson, who did my first show with me, and we had dinner the other night and laughed about smart old memories. But I think there was something at the time that he was so biological and it made him fly. Now, I feel like it’s replaced a lot, but back then, it was just, “Okay, I’m going to the studio today. I’ll be there then. And then they’re like, “Okay, we’re going to be at your house. There was a moment when he went with myself and let me go. Also, the difference from when I did it in 2018, I have a family, so there is a lot to protect. It was a different vibe, but we laughed doing both.

Would you say your father is the OG Kris Jenner, a “dadager”?

SIMPSON: He’s definitely the “dad,” and looking back, I see how he fought for us in another way, one that adapted to life’s changes. But you see that he is definitely on your side and fights for you in a strong and loving way.

What do you think is the legacy of The Ashlee Simpson Show in the context of series about artists such as Making The Band or Popstars?

SIMPSON: I never saw the screens of any, but for me it was the perfect time to accompany everyone on my journey. And I mean, we had some fun times. They were with me through everything: my 21st birthday, studying, there were times I locked myself out of my car and drove to Orange County. It was a great journey, and I think the point of this exhibition was to take everyone with me – and place myself as an artist, place me on an excursion, etc. We laughed about the day I dyed my hair black. [Matt] said, “Oh my God, what are we going to do?” How are we going to do your interviews? I was like, “We’ll just make them with dark hair. ” This is how it’s going to happen.

When it comes to dying your hair, is it a decision made through you or is it through the brand?

SIMPSON: No, they [the label] were all surprised. I dyed my hair the day 7th Heaven aired and was making my album while I was on that show. For continuity, it is mandatory to have the same hair. So the day I was done, I went to Ralph’s, bought a hair box, and dyed my hair. my hair. Then the next day, I shot the music video for “Pieces Of Me,” so I had to call everyone that night and say, “Watch out, I have dark hair, right now I have brown hair. “then it grew darker and darker until it turned black.

Your sense of taste in the show and the Autobiography era have become so definitive of the pop punk era and aesthetic. Are there any aspects you miss in the real show or in your music videos and appearances?

SIMPSON: There are definitely looks where you say, “Wow, what’s that?But in hindsight, I’m pretty glad I did, because, man, I don’t know if I’d ever wear wrestling boots and a skirt. “with a tank top and a t-shirt underneath again. But it’s the right time, and I feel like that’s what’s so funny. And those tutus, my fans wore those long skirts with their Converse. I feel like I don’t regret it because it’s fun.

There’s a scene in episode 3 where an A&R guy says that Jordan Schur, then president of Geffen, says one of your songs sounds like “garbage. ” You looked like you wanted to cry, but he was referring to the band Garbage. Back then, did you know who Garbage was?

SIMPSON: Oh my God, yes. I’ve been a huge fan of Shirley Manson and even knew when I signed with Geffen that they were there. I wonder if they did that during the edit because I was a big fan of Garbage. [Shirley] was definitely someone I looked up.

During episode 8, you meet Jay-Z and sing “99 Problems” to him on TRL. How do you see this interaction?

SIMPSON: I don’t forget. I have to go back and capture this moment. But I’ve been a fan of Jay-Z. And I think there’s also a funny moment of innocence. You meet other people who say, “Wow, here I am on MTV and there’s Jay-Z. And what do I do? I just sing a song. Now, it’s kind of funny because other people are like, “Oh, it’s Ashlee. “Oh, “Pieces of me. “

A lot of sexism from older men, including John Shanks and Carson Daly, surfaced on The Ashlee Simpson Show. Have you looked at some of the comments that have been made?

SIMPSON: I haven’t gone back and seen it, but I’m interested in it. I think you’re going through those times, and now it’s so beautiful because everyone has that voice for themselves. But I didn’t see those moments, but [these guys] were wonderful and I think they probably wouldn’t say something like that now.

Your and Ryan Cabrera’s careers took off at the same time: You starred in the “On The Way Down” music video around the same time “Pieces Of Me” was released. What was that experience like for you?

SIMPSON: We were very smart friends. We were friends first and friends after [the meetings]. So I think it was great to see someone go through that moment of good fortune at the same time. We could understand each other and that was smart. But “On The Way Down,” when I filmed it with Ryan, wasn’t my boyfriend. We were just friends.

How long was Ryan’s hair back then?

SIMPSON: That’s funny. Very, very tall and straight. Like Sonic.

Your career started taking off around the same time Paramore came out. Do you think the good fortune of Autobiography influenced Paramore’s signing to Atlantic?

SIMPSON: Oh, I have no idea. I mean, [Hayley Williams] is amazing and continues to be amazing. I think maybe it was just a moment of laughter in life, music and women maybe expressing themselves. [We can just] have a voice, be rock and punk. and say, ‘I don’t care. ‘ And that’s how I felt at that moment.

Was “La La” supposed to be a single?

SIMPSON: I never wrote songs that said, “Oh, that’s the single,” but I think as we were writing it, we felt, “Oh, it’s something special and fun, and I wonder what it means. “is. For me, “La La” is a laugh song and an anthem. We want a “La La” 2. 0.

The lyrics of “La La” are as wild as ever (i. e. “I’m like a stray cat/Drink the milk, me more”). Tell me how you got here with them.

SIMPSON: Well, Kara and I have boas. We were getting as far as we could and she and I were having the most productive girls’ party. We would pass out and make up crazy words and then pass by again. There were really some lyrics that I had to pull out as well. That is why there has been an update in some of them. But I think we were looking to go as far as possible with all that.

On Friday you will see an expanded edition of Autobiography. Are they unpublished songs?

Are you working on an album or singles?

SIMPSON: Right now, I’m running song through song, and then we’re passing to see. I’m certain it will eventually an album. But [I] just enjoy the process, pass back to the studio and enjoy writing again.

Does the new music have a pop-punk feel? Obviously, Ashlee + Evan went in a slightly different direction.

SIMPSON: I’m older now, so it’s a little bit more grown-up, and right now it’s more with live music, so I feel like the direction may change, but I’m definitely pleased with where we are. Right now. [It’s] more of a fun, rocker vibe.

Are you going to do a concert or excursion for the anniversary of Autobiography?

SIMPSON: Yes, we hope so. Right now I’m doing a laugh club show on July 20 [in Los Angeles]. I need to celebrate and have a good time with the fans. It’s not a show. It’s more for laughing, and maybe I sing ” Pieces Of Me ” and ” La La ” but I wanted to celebrate and sing along with everyone. I’m going to do some genuine displays in November, December, and early New Year.

Who do you dream of participating with those days?

SIMPSON: For me, there are many other people I would like to paint with. I like the old smart classics, Alanis, Fiona Apple, Jewel. But right now, I like Chappell. She’s amazing. I like his total album.

Who are your favorite artists right now?

Oh man, I don’t know, my son Bronx listens to a wide variety of music, but lately they’ve brought MGMT back and I’m like, “It’s got to be now. “It’s so good. ” But who am I obsessed with right now?I don’t know all the new artists. I’m back to my classics. I love Father John Misty. De fact, I like this song “Real Love [Baby]. “

At the time, you earned a lot of complaints for lip-syncing on SNL and talked about the voice disorders you had that day. Looking back, what do you think of the negative reactions you experienced?

SIMPSON: There were a lot of negative reactions, and I think what I experienced to the fullest was finding the strength in myself and also in my enthusiasts because they were so unwavering with me: I was able to get up, fight, and everyone saw me do that and they come to my shows. So, I think they will tell me a lot about one’s strength and state. But there’s definitely some backlash, but I think that comes with the territory, and it’s definitely a moment of greater craziness about it. Personally, I think it’s a bit ridiculous, but things also happen. You have to be informed of this.

“Boyfriend,” the first single from I Am Me, and in 2018 you essentially showed on Watch What Happens Live the lyrics “I didn’t borrow your boyfriend” about ex-boyfriend Wilmer Valderrama and Lindsay Lohan. Have you been contacted and responded to the song yet?

SIMPSON: We’re all friendly. I mean, at this point you’re simply writing about things that delight you on a daily basis. So no, no one gets angry about things like that. I feel like it’s just about writing, expressing, and also taking things to a hard level.

“Kicking And Screaming” appeared as a foreign bonus track on I Am Me, and Miley Cyrus ended up covering it a few years later on her EP The Time Of Our Lives.

SIMPSON: Which I know now because my daughter said to me, “Listen to this, Mom. » I like, “I wrote that. ” [She listened to it] while listening to Hannah Montana Spotify.

The song was co-written through you, but you didn’t get credits for writing the EP. Have you postponed this?

SIMPSON: No, I didn’t answer him.

Have you and your ex-husband Pete Wentz done it together?Is there a secret pop punk collaboration?

SIMPSON: We write together. We write lullabies.

In Bittersweet World you worked with Timbaland. How did that happen and what kind of artist did you want to be or the label you should be at that time?

SIMPSON: It was engaging because at the time I was writing two separate albums. In the beginning, I was racing with other people I literally looked up to, like Beth Hart and Jenny Lewis, and I was probably doing more than I would today. And then I think I was in this position where I was looking to do something fun, and the song “Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya)” was [written with] Santigold, who I’m obsessed with. It was more like “let’s give free rein and make a fun, quirky album. “I was influenced by that vibe of the 80s.

Do you feel that this album was ahead of its time?

SIMPSON: Yeah, I laughed a lot making this album, and then I got pregnant, and so that resolution for me was to focus on that component of my life. But I laughed a lot making this album, and I feel like that kind of sound came right after.

Why is Bittersweet World your album?

SIMPSON: Oh, I don’t know. I just think I’ve been a parent in this position so many times that every time I think, “Okay, I’m going to stop by to do this,” or I have another baby, or this one is going through this. “For me, [parenting] is my first priority, and it has been my first priority and it will be. Now, I feel like I’m at a point where my daughter needs me to do music too, and I feel like ‘ I’m in a position where I feel like it would be biological and right. I don’t expect anything from it. And my daughter needs to get up and sing with me on stage, so I definitely stop by and do some shows.

On your TV show Ashlee Evan, you and Evan performed your song “I Do” for your mother-in-law, Diana. How does it feel to see her paying attention to your song right in front of you?

SIMPSON: Look, she’s my mother-in-law, so I need to play her a new song or, honestly, my mom too, or your friends, you’re like, “Oh my God, is that okay?It was. ” Although it may seem stressful, it’s stressful to play a new song.

Have they listened to any of your solo paintings and are they a fan of any of your songs over the years?

SIMPSON: Yes, she heard it. I sang his songs that I didn’t publish. I mean, I think she’s a fan of mine. I think she likes me a lot, I’m her daughter-in-law!

Does he sing “La La” like we do?

SIMPSON: She went to the and saw me doing the melody and everything.

Two years ago, you were the guest star at Demi Lovato’s presentation in Los Angeles, where you co-directed “La La. ” How did this happen?

SIMPSON: Well, I heard they were doing it on tour, and when she got to Los Angeles, she just asked me if I wanted to sign up with her. So I had the honor of doing it. I love him, a wonderful artist. [Her] voice is amazing and she puts on a wonderful show, so it was really fun to jump into that.

How about passing a level for the first time in a few years?

SIMPSON: It’s a laugh. I feel like the power is amazing and it’s a really fun moment to be like, “Oh, that feels good. I miss that. “

The expanded edition of Autobiography will be on 07/19. Pre-register here.

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