Pic: www.ashgrunwald.com
Australia’s favourite blues one-man-band Ash Grunwald is heading back to Australia after a hugely successful American tour.
Grunwald begins his Aussie tour in Townsville on the 15th August and will play at The Gov in Adelaide on September 27th.
Touring across the states with Xavier Rudd, Grunwald has proven himself such an asset to the US music industry that he has just signed with The Agency Group.
The 37-year-old from Melbourne is thrilled about taking his unique brand of Australian blues influenced by American artists to his new home in the States.
“I hope I’m not being too optimistic in saying this but it seems like it might be the best country for me to play in career-wise just due to the nature of what I do,” he said.
“I am very influenced by black American music but I tell Australian tales and the way I play is very bluesy, and they really appreciate that over there,” he said.
Speaking to Glam Adelaide from Canada where he is about to kick off the next part of his tour, Grunwald said he has enjoyed playing with Xavier Rudd on many levels.
“It has been completely awesome. We’re really close friends so on one level it was really great to be on the road with your mate, and he moved (through my insistence) near where I live so when we’ve both been home we’ve been hanging out every day and every night and being a bad influence on each other,” he laughed.
“On a professional level it was absolutely incredible and a great hook up that he gave me. I’ll never forget it because it’s given me a really good start in America.”
As well as being signed to The Agency Group, Grunwald has been nominated for LA Music Critic Awards for Best International Act.
Grunwald was always hesitant about taking his music to the USA but is now looking forward to a change of direction and new opportunities.
“I used to think Why do you have to go and prove yourself in America, it’s just another place? But after this first tour I really did feel like the country boy going to the city and there’s so much going on. It is the big smoke, actually so why not throw my hat in the ring and give it a go?” he said.
“In terms of doing the solo thing, I don’t think there’s a heap of stuff there like that with that kind of tempo and pulse, so in a sense it could be a blessing I didn’t go earlier and I played other places because it’s actually a fresh thing for them and it’s not what they’re used to.”
But before he settles in to show American audiences what he’s made of, Ash Grunwald is coming home to remind us what we’ll be missing.
Playing at one of his favourite venues, Adelaide audiences will get to experience the full wonder of the man and his stomp box (and a kick drum, and a snare he plays with his other foot).
“I love to create a space that’s not to do with anything in the room and it’s just you and the people every night. I love The Gov where the people just surround you,” he said.
“I’ve been on cloud nine so many times at that place. The atmosphere is just unbelievable. I’ve had some of the best gigs of my life there where you just feel so connected and everybody is on the same trip and you just get lifted up by the crowd.”
Ash Grunwald will play The Gov on September 27th. Tickets are available from Oztix, or www.ashgrunwald.com
Interviewed by Libby Parker
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