Ashnikko Chooses Her Smoochie Girl in Seattle

Jess Scott
8 hours ago
3 min read

Travelling for shows is my favorite thing, and going to Seattle to photograph Ashnikko and Princess Nokia made the top of my list of favorite out of town shows. By the time II passed through the doors of the Showbox Sodo, I knew that I was in for an amazing night – and I was not wrong.

Being able to see everyone dressed up in their best trinket smoochie girl fits and everyone looked so cute, and in that moment, I was glad that I brought my trinkets to pass out. Something that I love doing is passing out trinkets to the people at the barricade before the show and during the set changes. I love seeing the happiness on people’s faces and I’ve even been dubbed “The cool photographer with the dinosaurs.” Which is what I usually have on me. Ducks and Dinosaurs.

Princess Nokia was up first, and she took the stage like a storm. Slowly brewing until it exploded with energy. She came out swinging with Drop Dead Gorgeous, and you couldn’t even tell she was feeling under the weather ( something we would learn later during Ashnikko’s set ). I was just so happy that she did Medusa. That is one of my favorite songs and hits so close to home that it’s wild.

Destiny Nicole Frasqueri, also known as Princess Nokia scaled the charts in 2017 with her studio album 1992 Deluxe. Her edgy sound is considered “experimental” in her own words, and mixed with genres such as rap, soul, rock, and house. She lists artists like Queen Latifahm, TLC, Shakira, as well as nu metal bands Korn and Slipknot as musical influences.

Princess Nokia Setlist :

Drop Dead Gorgeous
Blue Velvet
Medusa
Gossip Girl
Crazy House

SOCIALS : https://www.instagram.com/princessnokia/ and https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOhXzXIP3REaUQMXk9OnIZA

Next up is the main act, the one who caused the crowd to become deafening loud, Ashnikko! I have always wanted to catch her show in person, and I was stupidly excited to get approved to cover this show. Her energy is unmatched and that energy is infectious.

Starting the night with Sticky Fingers, that was just the beginning to a massive setlist full of bangers both new and old. Twenty-Six songs topped the list of most performed that I’ve ever seen. Her stage presence is unmatched and with each song that energy rose until it was damn near palpable. She was so interactive with the crowd and the emotions I could see in the faces at the barricade was so warming to see.

I had made a resolution at the beginning of the year to cover more female artists, and having Ashnikko be the first on the docket for the year was a treat that I never expected. Listening to her sing the songs that got me hooked on her in the first place was also so amazing.

Ashley Nicole Casey, she goes by Ashnikko professionally. She’s been on the scene since 2013, but her viral moment came when she released Stupid ( feat. Baby Tate ) in 2019. It took Tik Tok by storm. She was also featured on the Birds of Prey soundtrack with the hit Boss Bitch with Doja Cat.

Ashnikko is primarily alt-pop and electropop. She has described her music style as “angry, punk, hip hop, and sad-girl-feminist, bubblegum, poo-poo music”. And has stated that her music is not intended to be comedic or parody-based. She’s also known for her Tokyo-inspired street fashion and signature bright blue hair. M.I.A, Gwen Stefani, Lil’ Kim, Dolly Parton, and Paramore are listed as some of her influences. She also considers Doja Cat, Princess Nokia, and Charli XCX as some of the artists she really respects.