Interview with How Askew

How Askew is due to perform this weekend at the Oxbanger BBQ. He is a musician who prides himself on playing contemporary blues or blues inspired music.

“Some songs have been described as modern folk blues but I’d say our sound is expanding and certainly the electric stuff goes way outside that”, Askew explains. “I’m influenced by everything I’m exposed to in one way or another – I recognise echoes of my early guitar heroes (Hendrix, Jimmy Page, John Martyn, Robert Johnson, Big Bill Broonzy, Clapton, Ry Cooder, Rory Gallagher to name about 5% of them!) and I love movies – I get loads of inspiration and ideas for imagery and sounds from there”.

Last January, Askew made a video of himself singing an acoustic blues song in his kitchen and, with some gentle cajoling, was persuaded to enter a competition to play at a Blues Festival in Canada. After unexpectedly getting through to the North East heat,  he was forced to scramble a band together at the last minute.

“I knew Richy and Gav from Columbus Dixon, and poached them for the gig! We then had to play at the London final which went well but I snapped a string mid set. Anyway, we still came runners up”

Despite not achieving first place, How Askew are going from strength to strength. They’re currently rehearsing new songs which they will record over the next month or so and they’re starting to get some good bookings too. In fact, after the Oxbanger BBQ, they’re off to South Shields to support Mitch Laddie, one of Britain’s top young blues acts also from the North East.

You can catch How Askew on Saturday 28th July at the Oxbanger BBQ in The Brandling Villa, South Gosforth. It’ll be an afternoon of live music from ace bands in a (hopefully) sunny beer garden, accompanied by delicious locally sourced food and drinks. In short you can expect all three ‘b’s’ –  bands, bangers and beers.

Quick fire Q. and A. with How Askew

Describe yourself as a superhero.
More Batman than Spiderman – I was born on the same day as Christian Bale, but to be honest the similarity ends about there.

Who would you like to perform with?
Black Keys, Buddy Guy, Ry Cooder, Derek Trucks, Alvin Youngblood Heart and Ray Lamontagne (off the top of my head).

If your music was a type of delicacy, what would it be?
Black pudding and branston pickle.

What can we expect from your gig?
Some acoustic foreplay, rootsy blues, soulful vocals, bit of slide guitar here and there. It gets a bit raucous towards the end.

What are your summer plans? Are there any festivals on the cards?
Early days for us so recording over next few weeks, maybe get sorted for festivals next year.

Who would you invite to your ultimate dinner party?
Me mates.

WORDS: Lauren Stafford

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