The Bite Magazine - issue 16

Bite Magazine: You’ve played at some of the big festivals including Latitude, Bestival, and Secret Garden Party, opening for artists like Ed Sheeran and Passenger. What advice would you give to new artists or bands wanting to get on the circuit? Ethan Ash: It’s about forming relation- ships, getting out there. Most of my big gigs have come about in that way. And this is by no means a reflection of myself, but standing out. And in that, I mean as in your craft, be the best you can. Sure you can incorporate some of what you like, but that spot has already been taken, just be you. Festivals for me are very hit-and-miss. With Bestival I will do two sets, one would be really quiet and the other one packed, but still massively challenging. A small group might be just sheltering from the rain eating their chips and chatting. They haven’t come to see you because they don’t know you. So it’s all about getting them on your side, and hopefully they’ll dig you.You never know who that small group of individuals are, and I’ve had a few encounters like that. It turned out to be fruitful, you can’t beat expe- rience. You never know who’s listening 1500 or a group of four, it’s all relative. Bite Magazine: What more can we expect to see from Ethan Ash over the coming months? Ethan Ash: Well, our first single came out in June along with our second in the same month, while the album release will be in July. I’m looking forward to touring in Canada in September, so unfortunately I won’t make Bestival this year. Inno- cent Unplugged, playing that one which isn’t too far off. There’s my hometown of Cambridge, Reading and a few other spots in getting ready for the festivals, it’s going to be fun. Other standout tracks appearing on the album include ‘Long Drive Home’, ‘Twenty’, ‘Smile Suits You’ and ‘Light a Candle’. Quality has seen Ash compared to hugely successful artists such as Jack Savoretti and Newton Faulkner. ‘Light a Candle’ was co-written with long-term collaborator Ed Sheeran and AmyWadge adding her skilled touch to the track. Other contributors on the album include Ciaran Jeremiah of The Feeling, who pro- vided piano and organ on a number of the recorded tracks during production. Ethan Ash’s debut album, The Road Home is available to purchase now and features lead single ‘Going Home’. www.ethanashmusic.com bite music