Dj Ashba — generally known by the fully-capitalized moniker ASHBA — first found international success as a member of the major label band Beautiful Creatures. Ultimately, ASHBA’s work with Beautiful Creatures in the early 2000s led to the guitarist working with Motley Crue’s Nikki Sixx as not only a bandmate in Sixx:A.M., but also a collaborator for other artists. ASHBA also kept busy from 2009 through 2015 as a member of Guns N’ Roses, as featured on the Appetite For Democracy 3D live video.

ASHBA has also kept busy through a variety of namesake projects over the years. His latest single is “Ciao Bella,” whereas 2020 saw the release of “A Christmas Storm,” a holiday-spirited, EDM-tinged single mixed by GRAMMY nominee Luca Pretolesi (Steve Aoki, Diplo, Lil Jon). Also in 2020, ASHBA released the singles “Hypnotic” and “Let’s Dance,” while 2021 has seen ASHBA perform very high-profile gigs at Lambeau Field and the 13th Annual Fighters Only World MMA Awards in Las Vegas. Music success aside, ASHBA is the head of Ashba Media, which has been creating props and themed environments for major companies and productions since 2003, and apparel designer Ashba Clothing.

On December 16, 2021, I had the pleasure of speaking with ASHBA again via Zoom, as embedded below. Beyond “Ciao Bella” and his appearance at this year’s Fighters Only World MMA Awards, we spoke about Ashba Media’s growth, some of the current projects for Ashba Media, why he moved to Las Vegas and remains there, the influence of Van Halen on his career, his appreciation for EDM, and future career plans. More on ASHBA can be found by clicking here, here, here and here.