No bullshit, just music; this is Ashtree. This band is one of Denver, CO's local favorites, and will soon be everyone's favorite. Under the innovative Animal Manufacturing Co label, their desire to "bring something fresh to the music scene" and "bring a new and original flavor" to the indie/pop-rock genre is something all music lovers should treasure. They don't want to be like every other band trying to "make it." Ashtree wants to be that band that saves music. I believe them.
I got the chance to talk to Will Johnston, vocals for Ashtree, and he answered my questions with the band while still in the studio (hard workers)! What they've said to me makes me more than excited for 2013. Though they have individual styles and "differing pasts", those differences result in a diverse blend of musical backgrounds. Will says "we've collectively been listening to a lot of hip hop accompanied by some good ol' pop punk and heavier genre's of music." Their list of influences varies; Macklemore, Ryan Lewis, The Story So Far, The Wonder Years, and more. Their difference music tastes "helps with the creative process." This is important, cause I mean it's great if a band as a whole has the same taste in music, but completely mirroring each others taste won't bring new ideas to the table. They would even consider writing and collaborating "with a hip hop artist at some point in the future."
Seeing their peers "motivated" and "working hard at their craft no matter what facet it is" is what keeps Ashtree determined and confident. "The fear of failure is rooted so deep that you'll do anything to make sure you can look back and feel satisfied with where you are." Very insightful and well said. These guys know how to stay true to themselves and understand what it means to be a band; teamwork, perseverance, and accepting other ideas as well as placing their own ideas in the pool of creativity. And their pool ain't shallow. "It also helps to always be a couple steps ahead of yourself. That way when we finish a big project, whether it be a tour or a recording session, we always have the next line of projects to keep us pressing forward." Ashtree refuse to be one of those bands who go into hiatus ten times a year. "The worst thing is to remain stagnant, for even a small amount of time."
Ashtree takes "a lot of pride in the lyrical content of the music we put out." I see this especially in their most recent single "Escape For Us" which I immediately fell in love with. It just happens to be the band's favorite song to play live. "It has a great head bobbin feel to it that really gets us pumped. Plus playing your newest material is always fun, especially when you've been waiting to play it for 6 months." The lyrics in "Escape For Us" are romantically nostalgic, I could feel something when I listened to this song. The words are simple, but convey strong sentimental value. When you hear the song, you can anatomize all the musical influences and know where they come from. They can pull away from the typical indie/pop band very easily. "When writing our music all instruments are dissected by all members of the band to make the best product we can." The chorus is elevating, you can't help but sing along and sway your body to the music. "Escape For Us" is a song that you can play and go back to the time you had something good in your life. To put it in vague words, you miss what you had, and want to go back, but you know you'll be fine in the end if you don't have it.
It was refreshing talking to a talented, hard-working band like Ashtree. They've reassured me of my faith in new music.
What's in store for Denver's favorite heart-throb band? "2013 is full of a busy touring and recording schedule." "we plan to have unrelenting stream of new media. It goes along with our goal of never being in this stagnant state that too many bands find themselves in." Ashtree promises to have a stream of non-stop tours this year. "In addition to constant touring, "we plan on having a lot of small releases this year." Their single "Escape For Us" is only one out of many new releases coming this year. Ashtree is recording in their studio right now, and will soon release another song soon.
"This year, we have a lot of studio time booked, and hope to put out new music at a fast enough pace to meet the rapid demand of the on-the-move society we live in." Ashtree also have video media to share with us. "We did some live sessions with our friends in Medic, and are very excited to release those.The camera is going to be in a constant state of recording, so as to capture every possible aspect of our creative process. It is important to us to have multiple media outlets. Attention spans are only getting shorter, so we need to capitalize on as many opportunities for exposure as we can."
I better see the boys in Ashtree Will, Anton, Joe, and Patrick perform in Connecticut sometime. "We want to make it to as many new places as we can and have a steady output of new media to share with everyone." That or I'll attempt to make that trek to Denver.
Check out "Escape For Us"
Get the single out on iTunes now!
Def a new fan! So good!