The release of his brand new album Trouble’s Door is the solidification of two years of change for Ash Grunwald personally and a reflection as well of the shifts in the world around us. Since 2010’s award-winning album, Hot Mama Vibes, Ash Grunwald life has been sizzling. After years of surfing the arctic waters of Victoria, Ash bundled up his two main ladies – his beautiful wife and cheeky daughter – and headed north to the warmer shores of NSW. His track ‘Walking’ played a starring role in the Hollywood movie Limitless, new friendships were formed with Kram from Spiderbait and Vika and Linda Bull and a new home with a new home studio were built, from which was birthed his brand new album Trouble’s Door.
In the new songs, Ash – along with his good pal and dubstep sideproject partner, Fingers – has created his most internal album to date, one that found life through the fiery breath of injustice; the frustration of severe political and environmental mismanagement ‘It’s some of my most personal songwriting,’ Ash says of Trouble’s Door. ‘I had just done a benefit gig to stop coal seam gas mining. There were other issues going on at the time, you can take your pick really, and it occurred to me that our system just doesn’t work. We are experiencing the result of rampant unchecked capitalism.’
Ash doesn’t pretend to present answers, Trouble’s Door merely mirrors the modern twists and turns on the same old lesson never learned: a Governments willingness to trade the future for a dollar. But as is the case with the music he loves so dearly, it’s technology that has breathed new optimism into the age-old tale. ‘One positive thread is the democratization of digital communications. I had the experience of being on a surf trip in west Timor on a sail boat that was made the traditional way, with wooden nails and having to haul the anchor up as a group! While I was there I received an email from a friend about the lock the gate campaign. It explained the exponential potential of each person passing it on and it made me realize that we really do have the power to reach each other en masse, regardless of geography or traditional media coverage. The implications of this are cause for optimism, as long as our apathy doesn’t stand in the way.’
Ash Grunwald has acted. Bringing together a record that serves up a cross-section of what it means to be living on a planet in constant balance between hope and despair, all the while striving to fulfil the greatest mission of all – the presence of great times and the possession of a happy heart.
Trouble’s Door touches on the strength that now lies in community to keep each other informed no matter who we are or where we live. And just like the light and dark of the words, the music itself traverses many tales; the blues propelled by driving dancefloor rhythms, buoyed by hip hop beats and slammed by the dubstep crunch. Naturally.
Trouble’s Door is a novel, full of many colours and much food for thought, what pieces you take from it will be reflective of you. All that’s being asked is that when this time you shake your booty, you shake your booty for change.
The release of Trouble’s Door is being funded by pre-sales and special events through Pledge in Music – http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/troublesdoor
TOUR DATES
Thursday 9th August 2012 – Torquay Hotel NSW
36 Bell St, Torquay
Tickets $22 + bf from www.oztix.com.au
Doors open 7.30pm
Friday 10th August 2012 – Pier Hotel VIC
508 Nepean Highway, Frankston
Tickets $25 + bf from venue & www.ticketmaster.com.au
Doors open 8.00pm
Saturday 11th August 2012 – Ferntree Gully Hotel VIC
1130 Burwood Hwy, Ferntree Gully
Tickets $25 + bf from venue & www.ticketmaster.com.au
Doors open 8.00pm
Sunday 12th August 2012 – Old Hepburn Hotel VIC
236 Main Rd, Hepburn Springs
Tickets $20 + bf from venue 03 5348 2207 & www.oztix.com.au
Doors open 3.00pm
Thursday 16th August 2012 – The Abbey ACT
The Abbey Function Centre- O’Hanlon Place, Nichols
Tickets $35 + bf from venue website
Doors open 6.30pm
Friday 17th August 2012 – Katoomba RSL – NSW
86 Lurline St, Katoomba
Tickets $20 + bf from venue 02 4782 2624 & www.moshtix.com
Doors open 8.00pm
Saturday 18th August 2012 – Mona Vale Hotel NSW
2 Park St, Mona Vale
Tickets $22 + bf from www.moshtix.com
Friday 28th September 2012 – Entrance Leagues Club NSW
3 Bay Village Road, Bateau Bay
Tickets $20+bf from venue 02 4334 3233 & www.oztix.com.au
Doors open 8.00pm
Saturday 29th September 2012 – Hoey Moey NSW
90 Ocean Parade, Coffs Harbour
Tickets $20 + bf from venue 02 6653 8377, park beach music 02 6652 3725, Coopers Surf Australia Palms Shopping Centre 02 6652 6369, www.oztix.com.au, http://www.offbeatoperations.com.au/ & www.eventfinder.com.au
Doors open 8.30pm
Friday 5th October 2012 – Sugarland Tavern QLD
52 Johnston Street, BUNDABERG
$20.00 + bf presale from the Venue, www.Oztix.com.au and www.Ticketmaster.com.au
9pm
Saturday 6th October 2012 – Redland Bay Hotel QLD
160 Broadwater Terrace, REDLAND BAY 4165 Free Entry
Show starts 4pm
Saturday 6th October 2012 – Racehorse Hotel QLD
215 Brisbane Road, BOOVAL
Free Entry Members or $10.00 + bf presale from the Venue, www.Oztix.com.au and www.Ticketmaster.com.au
Doors open 8pm
Friday 19th October 2012 – The Sound Lounge QLD
Currumbin Creek Rd, Currumbin, Gold Coast
With Mr Cassidy
Tickets $30 + bf from www.thesoundlounge.com.au
Doors open 7.30pm
Saturday 20th October 2012 – The Star Court Theatre NSW
www.starcourttheatre.com.au
Star Court Arcade, LISMORE
With Mr Cassidy
Tickets $33 from the venue 02 6622 5005
Doors open 6.30pm
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