Local bluesman Ash Grunwald popped in to the studio with his National steel guitar to play some tracks off his new album, ‘Bluesfest Studio Sessions’.
It’s his 2023 Bluesfest set which he recorded at Brooklet Studios in Newrybar with Bobby Alu on drums and Ian Peres on Keyboards. They’ll be launching the album at the Mullum Civic Hall on November 18. It’s the first time the New Brighton-based musician has played there since last year’s floods and it promises to be a night of foot-stomping guitar plucking rootsy fun.
Acknowledged as one of Australia’s most successful blues musicians, Grunwald spoke about playing at Bentley during the Metgasco fiasco, and how sobriety has enhanced his life. Hopping on the wagon in 2019, he set about writing his first book Surf By Day, Jam By Night. In it he interviews multi world champion surfer Stephanie Gilmore who taught him the ‘M’ word.
Grunwald now manifests the power of NOW to live “the good old days” in the present. “You can be logical and open if you have that lightness. That’s what I strive for”, he said.
Hear the full interview and two live tracks.
