EntertainMe caught up with Blue and Roots artist Ash Grunwald on sharks, the Melbourne music scene and his plans for 2012.

For those that are unfamiliar with your sound, describe it in five words...

Modern blues, beats, Gospel Soul with the odd acoustic song in there..... sorry that's more than five.

What does Blues music mean to you?

It's the most soulful genre that I've ever found. Currently I'm experimenting in a lot of ways that take me far away from what has traditionally been called blues because the technology I use didn't exist back in the day. I always aim to keep the soulfulness in there though.

How did you get involved in the music industry and where did it all begin?

I just wanted to make a living from playing so I used to scrounge gigs around town with my 'Hendrixy' blues rock band or playing acoustic delta blues in restaurants, doing various duo's and touring in the country playing solo. From there I just kept working at it, and then I noticed people started to react to my solo thing in cities as well and that's when it all took off.

What inspires you and your music?

I'm aiming to make new music that we haven't really heard a million different versions of in the past. At the moment I'm being influenced by Dubstep. It always sounds weird when I say things like that however because I've got quite a distinct sound, I can really vary my influences on the beats front and it still always sounds very much like my thing.

I hear you had a close encounter with a Shark, hence the track Dolphin Song... tell me more...

Well it's a comedic song about being rescued by a pod of dolphins from a shark attack. I believe it to be true but it was my mate who saw the shark under me, I didn't actually see it, but all of this is explained in the song.

What are your thoughts on the Melbourne music scene at the moment, where is it heading?

I've been out of Melbourne for the best part of the decade. I lived in Jan Juc which is the suburb of Bells Beach for five years. That was great! And I've been living in paradise up near Byron Bay for the past 2 years! I love it up there.

I really appreciate the start I got in music coming from the Melbourne scene though, and they're always producing really high quality music with really strong roots in many different genres. And that's the fantastic thing about the Melbourne scene. People really seem to follow things through.

For example, if a guy says he's into old blues, he'll know everything from that era and maybe have visited Clarksdale Mississippi, or sat in a room learning the stuff note for note. And then you can catch him playing at your local for free on a Tuesday night!

What is the best part of being a musician?

Making the music!! Playing live, writing songs, labouring in the studio. Second would have to be the travel. I've been to Europe probably 15 plus times and Canada heaps with little visits to places like Japan and the U.S. I've learned so much from all of that. I'm writing this from Portugal right now and I can see the locals arguing in the alleyway while my daughter watches YouTube! It's great for her too. She's got way more stamps in her passport than I had when I was 22!

We are looking forward to catching you down at WOMAD in March, what do you know about this event?

I played at WOMAD in Australia and absolutely loved it. I can only imagine that it would be just as amazing in NZ, if not better.

What are your plans for 2012?

I'm releasing my new album called 'Troubles Door' midyear. I just finished it. I'll be returning to Canada and Europe but I'm also hoping that it will be a great year to familiarise myself with NZ and gain a bit more exposure there. I've always thought it was ridiculous how far away from Australia I would travel, yet I have barely travelled to NZ, so that's all about to change!

I'm a keen surfer/snowboarder/professional good time guy so I think I could fit in quite well amongst the Kiwi's. I'm also working on two different side projects as well. One is a Dubstep thing called Tiger Vs Shark and the other one is a more Rocky Drummer with Kram from Spiderbait called Krash.

Lastly, if you could start a rumour about yourself... what would you say?

Oh, I don't know, that's a hard one. That I saved a family from drowning.... Like I said, all round good time guy, or am I??

By Olivia Young

Check more about Ash Grunwald here:
http://www.taft.co.nz/womad/artists/Ash-Grundwald.html.