Ajay Friese. Photo Credit: Jamie Frith
Actor Ajay Friese talks about starring in the comedy TV series “American Classic” on MGM+ where he worked alongside Kevin Kline and Laura Linney.
As a musician, he performs under his stage name Bluejay Friese.
“American Classic” tells the story of Broadway star Richard Bean who suffers a spectacular public meltdown and returns home to the family theater where he first became aware of his own brilliance.
Once there, his extreme behavior sets off a series of crises among those closest to him: his ex-girlfriend (now the town’s mayor) married to his brother, his brother himself, and his beloved niece who dreams of a life in the theater.
As old loves resurface and buried secrets emerge, Richard must confront the consequences of his past actions and the family and town he left behind for fame and glamour.
How does it feel to star in “American Classic”?
I’ve always been someone who appreciates working with people far more experienced than myself. That’s really where I learn the most.
Acting alongside Laura Linney and Kevin Kline has been an invaluable experience. It’s really helped me to level up and develop as an actor.
What did you like most about your character?
Randall is head over heels for his girlfriend, Miranda (Nell Verlaque), and also quite insecure (and doesn’t do a great job hiding it).
In my own life, I try to lead with a lot of heart, so to bring Randall’s love and care alive on screen was a super fulfilling experience.
As Bluejay Friese, how did you approach the song selection process for your debut album?
I’ve always been inspired by the simplicity of just a guitar and a voice. As a folk storyteller, the goal for Postcards (my debut album) was to have every song hold its own with just guitar and vocals.
From there, we augmented some tracks with bass, drums, organ, piano, banjo, and violin, but the heart of the songs is full and present within just the guitar, the lyrics, and melody.
I wanted the record to feel human and sonically cohesive. Balancing studio polish with raw, honest performances was essential to me, and I’m so happy with what we ended up making.
What is your personal favorite song on there?
“Red Autumn,” “Coughdrops,” “The Road,” and “Dripping Away” all resonate really magically with fans but my personal favorite at the moment is “Coughdrops.”
It’s just really soothing and pretty, and I can channel a lot of honest emotion when I perform it. The version that you hear on the record, we recorded in one take.
You can hear me sniffling at the beginning because literally 15 seconds before we recorded, I was sobbing to my producer, telling him the story of the song.
How does it feel to be an actor and musician in the digital age?
With acting, it’s amazing because the whole audition process has gone online. While I definitely, definitely miss in-the-room auditions, being able to self-tape remotely means I can literally be anywhere in the world and still be working.
I hardly ever film in the same places I’m living, so it doesn’t make much of a difference, you know? I always tell people that if I had Wi-Fi, I could live in the middle of the forest and still be an actor.
For music, it’s a complex bag. With social media and independent music distribution, so much potential is at your fingertips, which is a huge blessing, obviously, but also incredibly difficult.
I have to wear a lot of hats. 75 percent of my work isn’t “music”, it’s marketing, communicating, planning, and strategizing, and of course, making ‘content’. So, I try to treat it all as art.
Emails, graphic design, TikToks, they are all mediums for me to connect people with the music and what it stands for.
What do your plans for the future include?
With my debut album Postcards just releasing on March 13, I’ve never felt stronger about anything I’ve worked on. For me, the future is all about continuing to establish myself as a folk storyteller – that’s my purpose.
Connecting with audiences and going on emotional journeys with listeners is what I’m meant to be doing, I’m sure of that. I hope you get the chance to check out my album!
What is your advice for young and emerging artists?
No opportunity is too small or too big. Experience compounds. Every open mic, every school talent show, sharing your music for family or friends, busking, sharing on social media –it all compounds, and, at least from my experience, that’s how you get closer and closer to your potential.
You’ve got to put yourself out there; that’s how you learn, that’s how you improve. And of course, the learning will never stop! That’s the most exciting part.
What does the word success mean to you? (My favorite question)
Success to me is doing what you love, and loving it. If I can go on a hike, be present, and actually experience the wonder that’s around me… marvel at my environment, be slow enough to let inspiration occur naturally within me, and then get to experience my body’s energy shift.
Well… that’s a pretty successful hike, in my books. While presence and intention are things that I love and value, they are also definitely things I struggle with every day!
To learn more about actor and musician Ajay Friese, follow him on Instagram.
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