Los Angeles trio ASHRR: A Cosmic Fusion of Post-Punk, Electronic Soul and Whatever Space Disco is

Los Angeles trio ASHRR.

From the sun-drenched streets of LA emerges ASHRR, a trio that’s redefining the electronic music landscape with their unique blend of disco, post-punk, and soulful melodies. Formed in 2018, this dynamic group features Ethan Allen, Josh Charles, and Steven Davis—each a seasoned producer, composer, and writer with notable accolades and Grammy nominations to their names.

ASHRR was born from a desire to push musical boundaries and embrace a spectrum of influences. Picture a fusion of Roxy Music jamming with dance-punk on a relaxing Central Park Sunday, and you’re beginning to grasp their eclectic vibe. Their music radiates a sun-kissed swagger that’s drenched in psychedelic vibes.

Post-pandemic, the band’s creative vision evolved, focusing on crafting tracks that ignite dance floors. Their sound merges soul, funk, jazz, hip-hop, and electronica into a groovy, melodic concoction with a distinct ’80s cosmic disco flair, all underpinned by a post-punk edge. With Ethan and Josh working their magic at the controls and Steven’s lush vocals adding an enchanting touch, ASHRR delivers a sound that’s both hazy and authoritative.

Their latest release, “Sway,” is already creating a buzz on KCRW’s “Morning Becomes Eclectic.” It’s a funky, tempo-driven track that showcases their prowess in blending funky guitar riffs with analog synth leads. “Sway” is a testament to their ability to craft addictive hooks and irresistible grooves.

In addition to “Sway,” their upcoming album “Sunshine Low,” [release date Sept 20th], promises a vibrant exploration of their musical roots. The album includes tracks like the soulful “Fizzy,” the introspective “What’s Been Turning You On?,” and the upbeat “Different Kind of Life.” It’s a celebration of living freely and embracing the present, reflecting their journey through soul, funk, jazz, and beyond.

ASHRR’s debut single on Ralph Lawson’s 20/20 Vision label, in collaboration with dub legend Scientist and remixed by disco icon Felix Dickinson, marks them as pioneers in their genre. With features on BBC6 Music and praise from NPR and LA Weekly, their rise is undeniable.

Ethan, Josh, and Steven each bring a rich musical history to ASHRR. Charles, a jazz pianist mentored by Dr. John, crossed paths with Davis, who transitioned from big band standards in NYC to writing for film and TV. Allen, a Grammy-nominated engineer with a diverse portfolio, completes the trio.

For fans of space disco, post-punk, and soul-infused electronica, the Los Angeles trio ASHRR is a must-listen. Their innovative sound and dynamic performances promise to keep them at the forefront of the music scene.

Post punk band — Los Angeles band ASHRR’s new album *Sway*

Check out our interview below with Los Angeles trio ASHRR:

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Frank151 always asks this classic question: If you were curating your own music festival, who would be your top three artists for the lineup? Dead or alive. Each of you gets to choose one artist for each day. Go wild with your picks!

Josh: Prince and the Revolution, Talking Heads, Sault

Ethan: James Brown, The Clash, Donna Summer with Giorgio Moroder

Steven: Pink Floyd, Bowie, Steely Dan

I have to admit, I wasn’t familiar with your music before this interview, but after diving into your tracks, I’m definitely a fan! For those who are just discovering you, can you shed some light on what ASHRR stands for and what kind of music you create?

Josh: ASHRR is our singer’s first real name. We are all about art for art’s sake. We’re always trying to evolve and experiment with making the best music we can with the purpose of making sure we love it before it ever goes out into the world.

Ethan: It’s been a really energizing collaboration between all of us with different backgrounds, but we have a lot of overlapping tastes. I’m not sure what the Venn diagram would look like, but it’s the surprises in our combination that never gets old.

Steven: Having come from the Big Band era of music, musicians, singers, and composers; the departure of that genre to the music of ASHRR is an unforeseen, invigorating, compelling, and fun musical landing.

I’m loving the tracks I’ve heard—your blend of groovy vibes with jazz, disco, and funk elements creates such a chill, easy-listening experience with a cosmic twist. Your website describes your sound as ‘space-disco’ among other things. What does that mean, and how would you personally describe your sound?

Josh: To me, space disco incorporates a lot of psychedelic elements but paired with a driving funk, soul disco groove. It’s about melding those elements together to make our sound. We are fearless when it comes to making music and we have such unique diverse backgrounds that culminate in the ASHRR sound.

Ethan: Infectious experimentation has always been our starting point. We always have a soft spot for some dance and funk, soul, and a little psychedelia. I’ve always loved music that takes you on a trip.

Your recent release, “Sway,” has a fresh, funky vibe with a faster tempo compared to your earlier work. Can you walk us through the process and inspiration behind this track?

Josh: We had that bassline which was played on a keyboard during the demo process and then we saw Ebo Taylor here in LA and hung out with his bass player after the show. We asked him if he could track the bass for us since he had the technical ability and feel we were looking for. He tracked his bass in Ghana and we recorded live drums with Brian MacCleod who plays on all our music. The song is slinky and inviting but has this post-punk energy that we always put in our music.

Ethan: That’s a track where you can hear some of the New Orleans in our background. But you can never really put your finger on what it is. I never really think of tempo. If it makes you want to move, you want to move.

Who are some of your biggest musical influences? Did you all share similar tastes and styles before forming the group, or did your paths cross in a more spontaneous way?

Josh: Such a hard question… with regards to the music in ASHRR, I’d say The Police, Meters, Sly Stone, Parliament, Bowie, ESG, Sault, Khruangbin, Jungle, Roxy Music but my background is in jazz and funk having been mentored by Dr. John who has and always be inhabiting any music I make. We don’t share the same influences actually which is what makes us so different. We definitely do share a love of funk, soul, dub and disco and post-punk but individually , our tastes differ. Steven comes from the big band world of Sinatra, Bennett, Cole, and he also loves ambient music like Eno ( I do too) and others. Ethan and myself are pretty much walking encyclopedias of music so we have so much love for good music and it influences us in different ways.

Ethan: Our influences are vast, and we never tire of discovery of old and new music. That being said, when we approach creating new music, the most refreshing thing for me is when you don’t have any particular style in mind, you just start drawing on the blank canvas. But all of our history informs our instincts.

Steven: I think Ethan said it best referring to all our disparate musical histories informing our instincts. ASHRR, for me, somewhat like learning a new language more than it is for Josh and Ethan. Our music is an exploration and adventure in my musical evolution.

Since you’re based in LA, also known to some as Los Angeles trio ASHRR, both our local readers and I are curious—do you have any favorite spots or venues in the city for a night out? Also, where did you play your very first show?

Josh: Our first show as ASHRR was at Moroccan Lounge which is one of the best clubs in town! LA has so many amazing spots all over and you can easily get lost in a night out.. I love this new spot called Si Mon which opened in Venice for amazing cocktails and Panamanian food. Walking along the beach in Malibu, getting lost in Koreatown and finding cool spots everywhere you go. I love Silverlake for the coffee shops, stores and that’s where Ethan is so it’s probably my favorite part of town.

Ethan: The Lodge Room, the Terragram, and Zebulon are some favorite local live venues. I live in Silverlake on the East side of town, and there are food styles from all over the globe here. I love the Simon seafood Mexican taco truck, Izakaya Osen for Japanese, and Millie’s for the world’s best breakfast!

In your view, what makes LA’s dance night scene unique compared to other cities you’ve experienced? What are the standout aspects that set it apart?

Josh: LA has a killer underground dance scene which is the world we’re most familiar with and there are so many venues that host amazing artists every weekend. I didn’t hang out in the dance scene in NYC that much as I frequented the rock clubs more. I’d say LA is maybe one of the best cities in the US right now.

Ethan: Yes, like most places, it’s underground spots and venues and unique events where the best stuff happens. And like the city, there’s great cross pollination between the worlds of dance and DJ culture, to hip hop, soul, rock, jazz and experimental music. LA’s musical scene is not only vibrant, but diverse, which makes for a dance scene with a lot of different colors and sounds.

You began making music together around 2018. What were your day jobs before forming this supergroup, and when did you decide to transition to focusing on your music full-time?

Josh: For me, music has been my day job for over a decade and I couldn’t be more grateful or thankful. I’ve been full time in music since I was 19 years old and have held various day jobs along the way including Sales and Real Estate but fortunately, I’ve always been able to make a living doing what I love. I started playing clubs at 16 and have never stopped!

Ethan: My day job has pretty always been in music, whether it’s producing records, songwriting, playing in bands, or composing. I transitioned to music full time pretty much for my whole adult life.

Steven: I’ve had a checkered and quite unorthodox history. Since my 20’s, I’ve had almost every labor job you can name spanning multiple skills in construction work, working in the not-for-profit foundation work, sales, and even multi-level marketing.

What can fans look forward to from Los Angeles trio ASHRR for the rest of 2024? Are there any exciting new releases or collaborations in the works?

Josh: Our new album SUNSHINE LOW comes out Sept 20 on 2020 Vision and we couldn’t be more excited to finally release this into the world! We have some killer new remixes with Ron Trent coming and after that, we’re releasing our own ASHRR SOUND SYSTEM dance versions of Sunshine Low and are working to get over to the UK and tour!

Ethan: Within those releases are a lot of things, but there’s always something new around the corner. We’re lucky to be working with 20/20 Vision Recordings and have all of our experiments have an opportunity to come out to the world, and hopefully find new listeners to come along with us.