Start Listening To: ashnymph
Crunchy electronics, motorway romance and a genre they call “subconscioussion”.
South London-via-Brighton trio ashnymph have only been playing together for six months, but they’re already building serious momentum. With their debut single ‘Saltspreader’ released on Blitzcat Records and shows alongside YAANG, Formal Sppeedwear and Tommy Barlow under their belt, the band’s mix of gritty dance textures, industrial distortion and offbeat lyrical imagery is quickly marking them out as one to watch.
You’ve only been playing together for about six months, but you’ve already signed to Blitzcat and released your debut single. How did ashnymph come together so quickly?
Jonny is from cambridge and Will is from Bridlington in East Yorkshire. We both now reside in south London. Lucy lives in Brighton, her and Will became friends at university 10 years ago! We have been writing music and trying stuff out for well over a year and were ready and lucky enough to have a few gigs that have got things moving a bit.
“Saltspreader” has this brilliant push-pull between dance music and distortion - what were you trying to channel with that track sonically?
(W) Making everything sound crunchy is a life long ambition, I think I’m probably better at that than actual song writing.
Jonny, you described it as “service station dance music” and “the romance of the freight industry” can you talk more about that image?
The grinding circulation of vehicles 24hr a day over huge distances. The people inside the vast machines, close to each other but separated by metal and glass, each one on their own mission. “Saltspreader” makes me see gritty motorway and orange lights at night.
You’re clearly not afraid of weird reference points. Do you try to keep things playful in your songwriting, or does that just happen naturally?
(W) The weird reference point probably sounds weird to the un-initiated, but for me everything has its purpose, nothing is ever truly random.
Your debut single feels self-contained and fully formed. What was the recording process like, especially with it being self-produced?
(W) I’ve only ever made tunes with the ultimate goal of releasing it as it has been made, not really a fan of professional recording.
There’s a robotic, almost industrial edge to your sound that reminds me of Does It Offend You, Yeah? or even early Soulwax. Do you see yourselves more as a live band or a studio project - or both?
We love the studio, but an emphasis on the live show has been there from the start. We set out with a focus of performing the music in a way that excites us.
You’ve already played with acts like YAANG, Formal Sppeedwear and Tommy Barlow. What’s the energy like on those lineups, and where do you see ashnymph fitting into the London DIY scene?
We have loved playing anywhere that will turn the PA up loud. Fran and Lau and the rest of the team at The George Tavern have been especially good to us so far.
What’s your dynamic like as a trio - how do your individual roles and tastes shape the music?
There are long-form visions and spontaneous ideas from each of us at different times. It’s hard to manage sometimes but when it comes together it’s great.
You’re now part of the Blitzcat family alongside Flip Top Head and C Turtle. What drew you to that label, and what excites you about being on it?
We had a few meetings and seemed to click with them, we love what the label are doing. It is great to be working with and alongside friends.
If you had to invent a genre for ashnymph, something totally made up, what would you call it?
“Subconscioussion”
What do you love right now?
The recent addition of a fan into the space we rehearse.
What do you hate right now?
Hatred.
Name an album you’re still listening to from when you were younger and why it’s still important to you?
The Knife - Shaking the Habitual.
What can people expect from your live shows? Are they extensions of the recorded tracks or something messier and more unpredictable?
Unexpected things do happen, we try to make room for things to unfold in the moment or that particular room as well as honour the original idea.
