Earlier today, Relix Magazine announced Australian blues artist and renowned one-man-show extraordinaire, Ash Grunwald, will make his US debut as direct support for longtime friend, Xavier Rudd, on their 24-date tour this summer. “I’ve known Xavier for about 15 years,” says Ash. “We used to play shows together when we were coming up, but this will be the first time I’ve toured with him since maybe 2001. We did our separate things musically but remained good friends over the years. It’s inspiring to see how things turned out for Xavier. I’m really looking forward to sharing the stage!”
On May 20th, Ash Grunwald will independently release a self-titled compilation album in the US of both studio and live tracks, available on iTunes and in CD format at all shows. After releasing ten albums in his career thus far, this marks Ash’s first official release within the U.S. The album includes single “Longtime,” which is now available as a free MP3 download. The song’s official music video features Ash, Xavier Rudd and friends at home in Byron Bay enjoying their second passion in life: surfing. “We’ve got a really cool community up here — many barrels and campfire jams! It’s the Australian cliché, but we love it.”
FREE MP3 OF ASH GRUNWALD’S SINGLE “LONGTIME”: https://soundcloud.com/ash-grunwald-top-secret/longtime-1
Ash Grunwald, loved for his crowd frenzied shows and blistering guitar playing, is reminiscent of the greats before him like Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix and Steve Ray Vaughn. Vocally and lyrically, you can pick up pieces of Howlin’ Wolf, R.L. Burnside, Eddie James “Son” House and Tom Waits. Australia’s Triple J Magazine notes, “The fat, urgent rhythms drive Grunwald’s smoking, bluesy riffs like an unlicensed teenager in a stolen car.”
With almost a decade of touring in Australia, Japan, Europe and Canada under his belt, Ash is ready to bring his positive and high energy to the US. In the past he’s opened for acts as diverse as James Brown, Bo Diddley, Keith Urban, Jack Johnson, Missy Higgins and Pete Murray. Ash has been nominated five times by the Australian Record Industry Association (ARIA), and received a handful of blues and roots awards including the APRA Blues & Roots Work Of The Year award twice. In 2011 his song “Walking” was featured in the film Limitless, starring Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro.
Ash is most excited to play for US music fans, who he and Xavier believe have a real appreciation for all forms of music, particularly in the jam scene. “There’s also the fact that the US is the land where the blues comes from – it’s a part of your musical heritage,” says Ash. “It feels like I’m finally contributing to music’s history in the land where it was made.” His excitement and appreciation to play for US music lovers, combined with his unique spin on blues, humble attitude and kind-heartedness have Xavier Rudd fans ready to welcome him with open arms.
The summer tour, which kicks off on June 3rd in Salt Lake City at The Depot and ends on July 13th in Los Angeles at The Bootleg, promises good times and happy hearts. Ash will perform solo with his Gibson Les Paul electric guitar, National Steel slide guitar and double foot-triggered live percussion. Additionally, his harmonica, electric kazoo and effects pedals will add to his full, rich sound.
XAVIER RUDD / ASH GRUNWALD SUMMER 2014 TOUR:
June 3 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot
June 8 – Austin, TX @ Emo’s
June 11 – Santa Fe, NM @ Sol Santa Fe
June 12 – Crested Butte, CO @ Center For The Arts
June 13 – Boulder, CO @ Boulder Theater
June 15 – Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre
June 18 – St. Louis, MO @ Old Rock House
June 19 – Nashville, TN @ Nashville Dancin’ 2014 Riverfront
June 20 – Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
June 21 – Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel
June 22 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
June 24 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Bowl
June 25 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
June 26 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Altar Bar
June 29 – Indianapolis, IN @ The Vogue
July 1 – Louisville, KY @ Mercury Ballroom
July 2 – Lawrence, KS @ The Bottleneck
July 3 – Evanston, IL @ Space
July 8 – Missoula, MT @ Top Hat Lounge
July 9 – Boise, ID @ Revolution Center
July 10 – Seattle, WA @ Neptune Theatre
July 11 – Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
July 12 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
July 13 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Bootleg
More info & tickets: http://www.ashgrunwald.com
