Psych Fest 2014 Interview: Greg Ashley

Greg Banner 2Ah yes, another festival in Austin! Actually, we’re really excited about Austin Psych Fest.  It’s got a remarkable line-up, though I’m a  bit bummed Primal Scream had to back out.  But, as we have a month to go, we want to start offering you some insight into the bands coming our way.  Our first interview is with Greg Ashley, who released Another Generation of Slaves to rave reviews, at least from our site.  We caught up with him before he comes into town. 

ATH: You almost moved back to Texas, but you opted to stay out West. Has that decision paid off for you, both personally and professionally? Any change in plans in the future?

GA: Everything seems to have worked itself out. I finished my record last summer with the band I am touring with and found a new place to live in Oakland. I still, someday, would like to find a place to live in the country and move my studio there etc…. Austin kind of won by default last year cuz the place down in Lockhart I was thinking of moving to was free rent, but the repairs on the house were just a little beyond my means.

ATH:  Along those same lines, what’s the draw of Texas for you? It makes several mentions in the lyrics on your newest record, not to mention some of the music seems rooted in the history of the state’s musicians?

GA: The draw of Texas for me was the price I suppose. California and especially the San Francisco bay area are becoming extremely expensive to live in. I know Austin is inching that way but as I mentioned before free place etc…. I grew up in Texas so I sing about it. I don’t know that the state’s music has been an influence on me any more than music from anywhere else. I grew up in the suburbs of Houston. The suburbs are the same everywhere in america. Then again Buddy Holly has always been pretty big for me, but Lubbock might as well be New Mexico. Really what I have always wanted is to get something in between Hank Williams, the Kinks and Leonard Cohen. I think the biggest influence on me as far as Texas goes is the people. For better or for worse I will always be a Texan. Some of my closest friends still live there and I miss all of them, so moving back would have been great as far as being closer to them. In the end though I would prefer them to move to California than vice versa. The weather is better here and there’s not as many police.

ATH: You’re playing Austin Psych Fest, yet Another Generation of Slaves is this beautifully crafted pop record. What sort of set can we expect from you on the stage?

GA: Hopefully it will sound pretty much like the record.

ATH: Personally, the new album is incredible. What’s been the best reaction you’ve had to the recording? What’s the worst?

GA: The response to the record has been good for the most part. The tens of people that have heard it say it’s ok. I have received one negative review though.The drummer in my group, Jimi, said he was giving a hippie girl a ride a couple of months ago and was listening to the album in his car. Track 3 came on, “Awkward Affections,” and she asked him to turn it off. She said the song was bumming her out. Guess she didn’t get the joke. Can’t wait till my parents hear this fucking thing…..

ATH: Another Generation of Slaves seems to have been a slight change in direction too. Where do you go musically from here? Was this a one-off experiment to test your writing, or will we see a similar recording from you in the near future?

GA: I try to never do the same thing twice. The record before this was a Leonard Cohen cover album, before that was an instrumental album. I’ve been working on the songs for this record for the last 4 years. It is the album I have always wanted to make. I don’t know what is next. I have been playing bass in the jazz group that is the backing me up on this record and the tour. I have written a tune for that band. My newest song with words is kind of a punk / disco / jazz number. I know……. that sounds horrible.

ATH:  Music festivals occasionally get a bad rap. What are the pros and cons of playing a festival, in your eyes? Do you have a preferred setting where you think your music is best heard?

GA: Festivals suck. Nobody wants to see that much music back to back in one day. Playing in a small room that is quiet is good.

ATH: If a super-fan were to bring you a present to the festival, what do you wish that they’d bring you?

GA: A good bottle of scotch

ATH: Your music career has been quite long, what’s the one song you’re the most proud of, or the one song that you feel sums up your career?

GA: East Texas Plain. It’s not the best song, but it’s the best lyrics I have ever written.

ATH:  If you had to choose a career outside of the musical world, where would we find Greg Ashley?

GA: I have no idea. There are things I aspire to do and things I wish I had done, but this is all I have ever wanted to do since I can remember. I can’t even imagine anything else.

ATH: The zombie apocalypse is nigh…what’s the last words the world will get from you?

GA: Told you so.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/03-Awkward-Affections.mp3] 

 

 

 

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