What's the first thing you think of when I mention a kiwi rock band with a female singer? Probably the most memorable would be Tadpole, followed by the likes of maybe Ivy Lies or Foamy Ed. If I was to say that Ashei sound anything like any of them, I would be completely wrong. Nice smooth guitar tones subtly layered with some solid tom hits and punchy high energy drumming, offbeat snare hits, and then a vocal line that flows gently over the top to begin with vocals that remind me a lot of Kirsten Morrell from Goldenhorse. But wait! The chorus hits you in the jaw like a left hook from David Tua on a reunion fight. Emma Cameron's voice rolls in with so much more power and growl over this huge well produced chorus with driving drum lines, tightly locked bass grooves, and a super catchy melody with powerful hooks. There is so much diversity between the gently undertones in the versus, and the powerful choruses that it would be more appropriate to compare with some of the big players like Paramore.
Definitely punching well above their weight, this is one of the coolest new rock tunes I've heard come out of a Kiwi band and I absolutely can't wait for future releases from Ashei. Ashei have kindly let you guys have this one for FREE!! Check out http://www.weareashei.com/, or check it out on iTunes & Spotify. I recommend getting in your car, turning the volume to 11, throwing on Bright Eyes from Ashei, and having a solid listen.
Song written by Liam Muir and Emma Cameron Music written by Ashei (Liam Muir, Emma Cameron, Daniel Perry, Curtis Booth) Recorded at Loose Stones Studios Produced by Matt Bartlem and Ashei Engineered by Tyse Lee and Zach Hylton Mixed by J.R. McNeely Masterd by Ted Jensen.
Formerly known as Ashei, there are a myriad of ways to describe NZ rock outfit, Decades, but one word that really summarises their so-far 5 year journey in sharing their music is simply: determination. Bursting on to the scene in 2009 led by a unique female voice that reaches both the gritty angst and delicate reservedness of the vocal spectrum, Decades have shown they are an independent Kiwi rock band to really watch with their shared passion for intense live performance and honest song writing.
Members Emma Cameron (vox/guitar), Liam Muir (guitar), Daniel Perry (drums) and Curtis Booth (bass) have spent the last several years focussing on honing in on their unique sound, independently releasing a scattering of singles and music videos to varying levels of local success, playing as many local shows as they could muster around their full-time day jobs, and supporting larger national and international acts such as Midnight Youth (NZ), Villainy (NZ), The Ataris (US), and Scary Kids Scaring Kids (US).
In 2013, Decades knew they were at a point of ‘go big or go home’, and so they began to envision what the next couple of years should look like, and how they were going to reach these milestones. Early 2013 saw Decades lock in with producer Matt Bartlem of Loose Stones Studios in QLD to create their debut record. Faced with the many obstacles of an independent band, the band launched - and achieved - a $10,000USD indiegogo crowd funding campaign in mid-2013, to head over to the studio in Australia to complete a 5-track EP.