The Bite Magazine - Spring 2019 - Issue 24

bite music The Ash Walker Experience Bite Magazine: Your music is very visual, almost like a soundtrack in parts. Do you find yourself at times having to compromise with the vocalist, bearing in mind the visual acoustics of what you do? And if so, what do you find most challenging? Ash Walker: Well, I wasn't vocal in my approach to music, so my whole thing was that of working with layers. I was into film, so it’s always s been cinematic. And I wasn't really gelling with any singers for a good while until I met Laville. So when he got it, I felt it and we’re real lovers of soul music. So for me it was all about working with that space presented to me. But in answering your question I would only really use vocals if the track suggests it. Having been booked alongside prestigious acts across the UK that included two blinding nights supporting Sly and Robbie at the Jazz Cafe last July, The Ashley Henry Trio, Mammal Hands, Gilles Peterson, The Herbaliser and George Clinton at The Funk & Soul Weekender in May 2017, the journey continues in the wake of a Euro tour come summer 2019. Bite Magazine: What do you draw from your reggae influences? In terms of Pablo and Shaka, and in the cultural traits of the 'Sound System' era, how does that play into the Ash Walker Experience? Ash Walker: I love unconventional ways of recording material, in the way of warmth, especially. I lean heavily on analogue, and really dig the sounds of King Tubby and such, in creating that landscape of mixing and in working with noise, sirens and echo chambers, and generally building it as a frequency. So yes, we definitely work within the foundations of dub and reggae music, and quite naturally pushing the envelope whenever necessary. Bite Magazine: You opened up for Sly and Robbie at the Jazz Cafe in Camden last year, what did you come away with, if anything from playing that gig? Ash Walker: Well I'm a big fan since following the history of reggae music, from listening to ska and dub as a whole, so opening for them was big. It gave me a lot of confidence, and encouragement, to dub it more. You know, to really shake the foundation of music, and upon speaking with them I felt inspired to do just that. Especially when wanting to be a musician from a child, on just hearing sounds. Then walking into my first music shop and being asked by my mother which instrument I would like to play. So yes, it’s very inspiring. Bite Magazine: What have we to look forward to in the coming months from the Ash Walker Experience? Ash Walker: Well, we're looking to drop our second album. As well as touring Europe come this summer, we’ll be switching up the band a little in working with a new drummer, as well as a guitarist. So we’re bringing some new energy to the project, as well as festivals to be announced. With huge success following Khruangbin’s album and a new signing to Late Night Tales, the Ash Walker Experience will be looking to drop their new album Aquamarine in July, with tour dates looking to be around June 2019.