About David Ashley Music

David Ashley With the Upper Peninsula of Michigan as his childhood home and traveling the world, David Ashley has come to appreciate a wide variety of music and a global perspective on life and faith.

Comparisons are quite diverse: David Bowie, Trent Reznor (of Nine Inch Nails), Joe Cocker, Bebo Norman - a strange and eclectic mix. It's tough to pin down a 'he sounds like' statement having been influenced by so many great artists and cultures. David grew up in a country music home and still finds favor with iconic country like Charlie Rich, Hank Williams or Johnny Cash and even some of the modern country artists like Big and Rich. Then in the 70's, during his teenage years, he formed his first rock band, appropriately named 'Feedback.' It was barely one step up from a garage band, mostly because no one had a garage. A few gigs later he enlisting in the Air Force.

Through the years and travels, he has become a lover of most music. "I like it all... mostly... there's really very little music I don't enjoy... except music that promotes violence, hatred or is a constant spewing of vulgar insults... to me that's anti-music, counter productive, juvenile, not worthy of an ear." says David in reflection of what turns him on and off musically. Then he ads, with a smirk, "But I really don't have an opinion on all this."

Growing up in the back woods gave him an

appreciation of nature. You'll hear references to that in his music - the sounds of wind, water and other nature sounds are uniquely interwoven into this alternative rock-blues-folk style. "I enjoy and appreciate big cities and the energy of big crowds, but my heaven includes a calm wind and a slow lakeshore wake, sitting next to a campfire... without mosquitoes, of course. There will be no pesky bugs in heaven, I'm sure."

You'll find a spiritual overtone to his music, because his faith is at the core of who he is. Candidly speaking, David noted, "Look, I don't pretend to be, or have any realistic expectation of becoming a great or profound songwriter or musician. The best music to me is music that comes from the soul, from the heart and speaks to me right here, right now. When I write, it's usually about an emotion, an observation, maybe a significant event in my life...it means something to me. And I hope the things I write will mean something to someone else some day." Ultimately, he hopes something in his music will cause positive change.

His years of dabbling in music lead him to the highly anticipated release of his first solo project, David on Earth, released in July of 2008. Most recently, being associated with the band Polaradio has caused a renewed fever for writing and performing again. His second CD, Ashes to Ashes, was released in March 2009. Then later in December of 2009, the Mercy EP was released.