ASHRR, the LA-based indie-dance band, is creating waves with their upcoming album Sunshine Low, set to release on September 20, 2024, via 20/20 Vision Recordings. Formed by vocalist Steven Davis and producer-musician-vocalists Josh Charles and Ethan Allen, ASHRR brings a unique blend of electronic soul, post-punk, space disco, and indie-dance, capturing the melancholic haze of late summer and the thrill of late-night adventures. With a rich history in their respective solo careers, the trio has come together to create something truly special.

ASHRR’s formation is a story of serendipity and mutual respect. Josh Charles, a jazz pianist mentored by the late Dr. John, met Steven Davis in Nashville. Both had moved from NYC, where Davis headlined big band shows and wrote for film and TV. After relocating to LA, they met GRAMMY-nominated engineer Ethan Allen, known for his work with Ben Harper, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, and Mavis Staples. The trio clicked instantly, driven by a shared passion for creating music for art's sake.

Josh explains, “My background besides rock music is in jazz, New Orleans funk, and soul, and Steven is deeply rooted in the classic American songbook and has performed with big bands all over the world. Ethan is a former member of Gram Rabbit and has produced and engineered some of the best records of the last 20 years. I met Ethan through a friend of ours when Steven and I wanted to cut some vocals. We all met at Ethan’s studio and an instant bond formed out of mutual respect.”

This past week the band released their latest single "Deux Sons." The third single taken from the album, the track began as an improvised jam session. The track conjures the New Orleans gris-gris vibes that run deep in their musical history and marries it with a 70’s soul-inspired hook sung in French. Ethan explains, “The loose meaning of the lyrics with the two combined parts made sense as it's a captivating journey into the heart of freedom and unity."

The recording of ‘Sunshine Low’ was a meticulous process, taking place over two years primarily at Ethan’s Royal Triton studio in Silverlake. Josh shares, "One of our secret weapons we used was a Fender ‘65 custom Mustang which really was the main guitar that we recorded with during the making of the album. He’s got amazing vintage gear , mics and preamps and we did additional live drums with Brian MacCleod at our friend’s studio Lucy’s Meat Market.The band’s dedication to capturing the perfect sound is evident in every track of the album."

The journey to signing with 20/20 Vision Recordings was organic and serendipitous. The band reached out to Felix Dickinson for a remix of their track "Fizzy," impressed by his Khruangbin remix. Felix's manager, Annie, who has worked with Khruangbin and Crazy P, heard the unfinished album and loved it.

She offered to help find a label, leading them to Ralph Lawson and 20/20 Vision. Josh recounts, “we had some initial chats, and 7 months later, we signed to the label. It was a real organic journey that led us to 20/20 Vision."

"There’s so much love and respect for each other"

The chemistry between the members of ASHRR is palpable. “Steven and I have known each other for almost ten years and have worked together on past projects, but we met Ethan in 2018. Ethan and I are typically the ones in the studio crafting the musical ideas into songs, and then we all get together to write the lyrics. There’s so much love and respect for each other and we’re adults so we can put all the normal bullshit that crops up in bands aside and just try to make the best music possible,” says Josh.

When asked about their influences, Josh highlights the depth and diversity of their inspirations. Funk, Soul, Hip Hop, Post-punk, and electronica all run deep. "The seminal album of Dark Side of the Moon is one we can all agree on and beyond that each of us has our own specific taste. Speaking for myself only, Dr. John, who mentored me, was and always will be one of my greatest influences."

‘Sunshine Low’ is an album designed to move listeners both physically and emotionally. Josh elaborates, “We were coming out of the pandemic and we were wanting to bring joy to the world albeit coupled with our own brand of darkness because you can’t have darkness without light. We really dug into our love of soul, funk, disco, post-punk ,electronic music and hip-hop and were fearless in our experimentation and relentless in our craft of songs.”

The band envisions their music as the perfect soundtrack for various moments. “Driving on a backroad to a secret beach party, dancing underneath the stars somewhere with your friends, walking the streets of a city,” Josh suggests.

“Everyone has their own way of consuming music and as long as they’re listening to good music, I think we’ll be alright."

ASHRR SOUNDSYSTEM, the band’s alter ego, represents a reinvention of the band’s songs for the dance floor. Josh explains, “ASHRR SOUNDSYSTEM is Ethan and I re-inventing these songs for the dance floor. We completely deconstruct them and build back from scratch a version that we think is gonna rock the dance floor. DJ sets on a set of CDJ”s is a completely different experience than performing as a 5 piece live band”

Josh reflects on the evolving ways people consume music. “Everyone has their own way of consuming music and as long as they’re listening to good music, I think we’ll be alright. We grew up on vinyl, tapes, cd’s , Napster and it’s always evolving and changing but not necessarily for the better. We’ll see what happens down the line.”

If given the chance to travel back in time, Josh has a clear choice. “Prince and the Revolution at First Avenue during Purple Rain circa ‘83, Jimi Hendrix’s first shows in London, and Sault in LA—oh wait, we’re still waiting for that one!”

As ASHRR prepares for the release of ‘Sunshine Low’, the band continues to push boundaries and explore new sonic territories. With their unique blend of influences and unwavering dedication to their craft, ASHRR is poised to make a significant impact on the indie-dance scene.