BIO:
Bay Area indie darling's Ash Reiter bring you pop tunes that bring to mind a modern Fleetwood Mac. Drenched in warm vocal harmonies, soaring catchy guitar lines, and driven by a rhythm section that will make you wanna jump- their sound is irresistible. Lead by former Oakland elementary school teacher, Ash Reiter, the band is taking their music to new heights this year with the release of their new full length "HOLA" and a rigorous tour schedule that has them playing all over the US. The band is thrilled to be sharing their tunes with new fans around the country.
Reiter's delicate voice, knack for classic pop melody, and structure define the band's sound but all in all it is a family band, each member adding a critical piece. Ash is accompanied by brothers Scott Brown (bass) and Drew Brown (guitar), boyfriend Will Halsey on drums and the newest member Anthony Ferraro (keys). Scott, Drew and Anthony have all gone to school for music and have the chops to show for it. However their playing is by no means by the book. While Drew's training is in jazz his playing combines the best of Albert Hammond Jr and Nels Cline. His little brother Scott Brown would be at home in Motown's Studio A, while Anthony's tempered playing adds a subtle gloss to complete the songs. From their home recording studio in the idyllic Berkeley hills the band captures an undeniably California sound- sunny, dreamy and naturally blond.
With their new album "HOLA", the band is saying hello to a world they have been around for a while and already have some impressive albums under their belt. Ash Reiter's first self released full length "Paper Diamonds" (2010) offers an eclectic mix of songs demonstrating the bands affinity for stretching a simple folk song into a many layered psychedelic pop masterpiece. Drummer, Will Halsey, cut his teeth as a producer mixing and recording this record. In his trademark unorthodox style combines hi fi and lo fi- creating his own "mid fi" style. The albums instrumentation is very diverse using everything from cookie sheets, washboards, and synthesizers to stylophones, clarinets, and horns. Their most recent EP "Heatwave", released last November, began to feature a darker side of Ash Reiter. The songs on this album are tighter and more intentionally crafted. This is also the first album to feature the full band and to be recorded in a professional studio (San Francisco's Different Fur Studio).
Now fast-forward and their second full-length album- "HOLA" is finally ready for release on San Francisco's 20 Sided Records. "HOLA" has been a long time in the making. The band began recording the album with engineer Carlos Arredondo at New Improved Recording in Oakland (Tune-yards and Deerhoof) shortly after the release of "Paper Diamonds" in 2010. They gradually added to the album with home studio overdubs, adding as many as a hundred tracks to some songs. This attention to detail and lush production sets "HOLA" apart from your average indie band. The songs are both playful, thought provoking, and stir something in the listener. The lyrics tackle unusual themes- in "Little Sandy" Reiter explores the American pioneer experience. The song "Ishi" uses the troubled life of California's historical figure Ishi - The Last of His Tribe for subject matter. While "I've Got Something I Can Laugh About" follows themes of embarrassment and Reiter's own struggle with anxiety and panic attacks. Not the stuff of your typical pop song, but perhaps that's what is so appealing about this band- they are familiar but a little weird. You can be sure to expect more weirdness to come with future recordings. The band has already debuted some live performances of new unrecorded songs ala St Vincent and Grizzly Bear. Look out for Ash Reiter in a city near you or pickup an album at ashreiter.com.
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