NZ to NA: All Things ASHEZ [Interview]

With huge releases this year including major collaborations with the likes of Opiuo, Truth, and K+Lab, surely you’ve heard of Kiwi bass-music producer ASHEZ by now. If you haven’t, it’s time to get familiar. This summer, he’s been galivanting across the US and Canada on his debut North American tour. With huge sets at Texas Eclipse, LiB, Shambhala, and Sound Haven already under his belt, he shows no signs of slowing down. Luckily, we were able to catch up with him just long enough to talk all things ASHEZ.

All Things ASHEZ: The Origin

Mason Wagner, The Electric Hawk: For those who don’t know, tell us a little bit about the origin of the project. 

ASHEZ: I have always loved listening to and making music. I played in bands throughout high school before slowly shifting towards making beats in Garageband with guitar loops. This eventually evolved into making hip-hop beats, and then electronic music. After high school, I realized that being in a band was a lot more admin than being on my own, so I started producing just by myself. This eventually led me to DJing. I was mainly playing house parties [at first] – lots of drum and bass and house music (DnB is a lot more popular in NZ). After I started DJ’ing, I came up with the name ASHEZ which is a play on my last name, Ashworth. 

MW: Being from NZ, how did you get into the world of bass music? Have you always had a desire to create it?

A: In 2017 I traveled to the USA for the first time and was fully introduced to bass music. Before then, I was mainly into drum and bass and trap music (stuff like Quix, RL Grime, etc.). In the summer of 2017, I went to a bunch of festivals such as Oregon Eclipse, What The Fest, and Pretty Lights, and was blown away by this completely new sound I’d never heard before. After that summer, I went home and decided that was the type of music I wanted to make.

MW: It feels like you’ve really started to find your stride with the eclectic range of music you bring to your live performances. Who are some of your musical influences that have helped shape your tastes? Who or what is influencing you the most now?

A: At Oregon Eclipse in 2017, I found myself living at the Moon stage. One set that was a huge influence was CloZee’s set there. I remember listening to that mix on repeat for months afterward (I still do!). Her style has been a huge inspiration to my music. Other artists that have heavily shaped my sound over the years include CharlestheFirst, Ivy Lab, Opiuo, Paige Julia, and Truth. Recently, I’ve become more influenced by the UK/European sound. I’ve been getting into the world of UKG, Break Beat, DnB, and Jungle. This has given me more diversity in my sets, and I love incorporating these different styles. I feel like it keeps things fresh and fun on the dance floor!

MW: Having been a listener for close to half a decade now, I feel pretty honed in on the “ASHEZ sound.” How do you still manage to make every release wholly you, but still feel fresh (and always fire!!)?

A: I have a huge collection of sounds I have designed myself in Serum and other synths which I’ve continued to use over the years. Whenever I’m working on a track, I often dive into those patches and modify pre-existing sounds I’ve used before. This helps to create my distinctive “sound,” and keeps things recognizable, but in a way that’s still fresh.

Whenever I feel like I’m in a rut or that my music is feeling stale, I try a new genre/BPM/style that I’ve never tried before. 

The Kiwi Connection

MW: Speaking of “Bash Plate,” tell us about the experience of coming all the way from New Zealand last year to hear that collaboration be played by Opiuo and a whole orchestra at such a legendary venue as Red Rocks.

A: When Oscar told me he was playing at Red Rocks with an orchestra, I knew I had to be there. I tried to make it work, but flights were so expensive from New Zealand. Initially, it didn’t look doable. Unbeknownst to me, my girlfriend had reached out to my friends and family. Between them all, they managed to come up with most of the cost of getting me there to watch the show. It was pretty surreal being in the crowd, hearing music we had made together performed by a full orchestra.

MW: Any other upcoming projects or collaborations you can share with us?

A: I am currently working on an EP for [CloZee’s label] Odyzey! This has been something I’ve been wanting to do for a while now, so I’m stoked it’s finally happening. The EP as a whole is a lot more melodic and euphoric, but still has a crunchy grit to it! I’m really excited to share it. 

The Tour So Far

MW: You’re nearly through your debut North American tour, not including multiple pop-ups and afters events around Denver. Tell us a little about your experience – how has the tour and your time in the US been so far?

A: The coolest part about this tour is being able to travel around America visiting new cities I’ve never been to before. It’s been so good to meet a lot of people who have been supporting me for a while now. It’s great to put faces to Instagram handles, [and meet] the real people behind the messages and SoundCloud comments. I have really been feeling the love! Highlights so far include playing a back-to-back drum and bass set with Opiuo at Meow Wolf, playing The Stacks at LiB, and having PAV4N jump up to MC my set at the Lossless Denver show – (mad tings!)

MW: How does the US bass music scene compare to back home in New Zealand?

A: The bass music scene in New Zealand is a small, tight-knit community. If you go to enough shows, everyone pretty much knows everyone. Although a lot LOT smaller than the scene here in the US, one really cool thing about the scene back home has been the rise of sound system culture – in the South Island, especially! More and more crews have been building their own systems and throwing raves in the middle of nowhere. Back home, Drum and Bass is the dominant genre. The scene is far more heavily influenced by the UK sound. It has been cool to see DnB and UKG become more popular here in the US. 

MW: Outside of music, what has been your favorite thing about being in the US, especially Denver?

A: In New Zealand, we live in a beach town and love the ocean/swimming. During this tour we’ve been relentlessly trying to find the best swim spots and, for the most part, have been pretty successful! We spent two weeks in the Pacific Northwest and enjoyed exploring and getting out into nature. Our time in Denver has been so much fun. One thing I love so much is the amount of pop-ups and day parties.

Crews like Koja Sound and Lossless are consistently putting on fun little renegades. Denver never stops! 

MW: Anything else you’d like to share? Anyone you would like to shout-out? Plug away!

A: This tour wouldn’t have been possible without a select group of people. CloZee and Opiuo have both helped me so much in making this whole thing happen. I can’t thank them enough for all the support and help they’ve given me, as well as the consistent support from my family and girlfriend. There are so many people backing me and it really makes such a difference. I feel extremely lucky to be doing this, and this tour has only inspired and motivated me more to continue this crazy journey!

Have you been blessed by the sounds of ASHEZ this summer? Make sure to catch the final stops of his tour while you can! Who knows how long it will be before he returns to the US? All we know is, we’ll be ready and waiting when he does.

---