The Bite Magazine - issue 16

bite music Dayle Best speaks to singer-songwriter Ethan Ash about his music, influences and new album The Road Home . E than A sh A s Cambridge based singer-songwriter Ethan Ash takes centre stage before a powerful chorus, he injects the cut with real impetus. A big country infused guitar line adds a tangible intensity to the track of tracks that makes The Road Home an album to be listened to. With an ever increasing popularity within the live set circuit, Ethan Ash has had festival appearances at Latitude, Bestival and Secret Garden Party. He has supported some of the biggest names in the world of pop in the last few years, opening the stage for artists such as Ed Sheeran, Passenger, Seth Lakeman and Nick Harper. Speaking about his instrument of choice, Ethan said, “Guitar was pretty immediate for me, in learning how to play it. I had a feel for music which my parents noticed very early on as a child. So I naturally gravitated to it. I never really wanted to do anything else. Sometimes I find myself looking at people. I mean, I could never really work in an office and I’d probably get fired. For me doing music gives me a release, sure there’s the financial side of things on keeping it together, but creating in the studio and hearing it come together, it’s a great feeling in getting that flow. Even still, in the same context of writing songs or playing gigs and working with your audience, it’s so satisfying” Bite Magazine: So was guitar your first choice of instrument? Ethan Ash: Apart from my family, my guitar has been the main thing in my life. I pick it up every day; I’ve got numer- ous different guitars. I learnt the guitar; I didn’t just pick it up and play somebody else’s songs. I know how this instrument works, being committed to study. I know my genres, so coming into song writing with the last couple, I classed myself as a guitarist/songwriter and decided to do just that. Then there’s the acoustic and electric guitar scenario as some songs definitely suit one more than the other. Bite Magazine: Touching on song writing, is it reflective of your ability to tell a story? Ethan Ash: Personally, there’s a lot of truth in that, but I can quite easily try and step into someone else’s shoes and try and tell theirs, and I have. I remember a song by Paul Simon called ‘Wristband’ about a guy in a band that got locked out of the venue he was playing at and was refused entry as he didn’t have his wristband. Now that isn’t necessary his experience, but it makes a song of inter- est and people can relate to it. A friend of mine told me about a road trip that he took with his girlfriend across America, which sounded like a great topic to write a song about, so I did. I looked at their road maps, photos and literally put myself in the picture and just brought it together. Once it’s coming from the right place you could write about anything.