Canadian pop duo Ash Koley began making music in 2004, after titular member Ashley Koley and songwriter Phil Deschambault were introduced by a mutual friend. A native of Winnipeg, Koley had been singing since her early childhood years, while Deschambault cut his teeth as a solo artist and guitarist for several Winnipeg groups. Together, the two mined a wide range of pop influences, from new wave artists to more contemporary outfits, and they honed their sound for several years before releasing their first EP in 2009. One year later, Ash Koley made their live debut by joining the Lilith Fair tour. ~ Andrew Leahey