2010 Nominee Q+A: Ash Grunwald
| 2010-09-29 11:00 | Written By:
Australian singer-songwriter Ash Grunwald [pictured right] is nominated for Best Blues and Roots Album at this year's Jagermeister Independent Music Awards for his sixth LP Hot Mama Vibes. The music video for his track 'Walking' is embedded above.
Ahead of this year's awards night - more details on that at the bottom of this post - we briefly caught up with Ash to talk independent music.
What's your favourite song of 2010 so far by an Australian artist, Ash?
It's weird but I really haven't been listening to much music this year. First half of the year I was busy getting my album done so that involves a lot of demoing and what not, so all you listen to is yourself!! After that you want a break from listening to anything! Lately I've been listening to Angus and Julia Stone, but that was from last year.
Favourite musical moment of 2010 so far?
Finally selling out The Corner in Melbourne. I've had this curse where I fill the room to 95% but the 'Sold Out' sign has eluded me for years. Now that I don't live in Melbourne it also felt like a bit of a homecoming so it was a pretty special gig. I know it sounds weird but in you career you have your own little yard sticks, and that one felt like an award to me because it's been such a long time coming. It was a super fun gig and a great night in general.
What does being independent mean to you?
Well it's totally the way to go. There are a lot of challenges for sure but they are necessary so you just roll up your sleeves and get into it. There's so much to learn but if you have a good attitude and love making music, you'll get there. If you're signed it can go horribly through no fault of your own. Although things can go horribly wrong with distributors as well, as I just found out this arvo.
The main thing is making the music you want to make. If you do it yourself you've got a better chance of making a living from music without selling out. Theres no pressure on you to sell a million copies because you make more money per copy.
What's the biggest challenge you face as an independent musician?
For me its the legal side. I hate that sort of thing and I haven't had a traditional manager for the majority of my career which is usually cool, but when those contracts come out its pretty hard to understand, and pretty boring quite frankly. Same with a lot of the back-end money stuff. I wouldn't really know if I've been ripped off in certain situations or not. That really pisses me off but I know myself well enough to know that its not in my personality to dot my i's and cross my t's, so I really need to engage the services of professionals more often.
Conversely, what's the best thing about being independent?
The creative freedom. The fact that you can actually make some money from your record sales. Not that no-one who signs a deal makes money but I believe you have to sell a fair few units, and that gets harder every year. The fact that you are not locked in for the most part for more than one album is also pretty cool too.
As a musician, what would you ultimately like to be known and remembered for?
Well not that any of it is neccesarily true but I would love to be known as someone who was innovative within my genre. Obviously that I was a really good songwriter and an amazing singer and not too shabby on the ol guitar!! But who knows.
What's the best thing about being associated with AIR and the Jagermeister Independent Music Awards?
I feel honoured to be nominated and I don't mind the odd Jagerbomb here or there either.
Which Australian independent act deserves to be the 'next big thing'?
Jordie Lane is an amazing singer songwriter but he's a weird cat. He did some supports for me and bugged our bandroom!!! Paranoia? Maybe thats what creates a good songwriter.
Finally, who do you think is going to win your category this year? Who deserves runner-up?
Well Dan Sultan will probably win coz he's nominated for a couple. Second? Well it could be anyone. Jeff Lang, Beautiful Girls? Mama Kinn? could be any of em, they're all really good.
Thanks for your time, Ash! For more info on Ash Grunwald, visit his website.
The 5th Annual Jagermeister Independent Music Awards are held at The Forum Theatre, Melbourne on Friday October 1st, 2010, featuring live performances from British India, Cloud Control, The Amity Affliction, M-Phazes, Sally Seltmann and Joe Chindamo. Doors open at 8:00pm; tickets are $29+BF and available now via Ticketmaster.
For more info on AIR and Australian independent music, visit http://www.ausindies.com.au/
