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Promoting his new EP Face To Face, released today, Ethan Ash hit The Water Rats last Saturday. Truth must be told, for those who didn’t know him it was quite a revelatory gig. The musician played but a handful of songs, as he was billed along other fellow artists that night. Only six tracks which however were enough to prove that Ash really is talented and that he sounds even better live than on record. Would You Mind and Haven’t Got There Yet were good examples of his writing style, composed by honest, straightforward and heartfelt lyrics which mainly deal with relationships. Simple thoughts, yet expressed in such a manner that somehow manages to go a step further from the ordinary. Ash explores everyday situations with the awareness and the simplicity that can only come from personal experiences – from which he admittedly draws upon. The nice thing about Ash is that he’s a funny little guy, an unpretentious, genuine artist who puts his true self into his music and lets it transpire unfiltered. He uses no embellishments but goes straight to the point, talking about the little things that happen to him and that make him the person that he is. Ash reiterated this spontaneity introducing Don’t Regret Me – “a love song about mannerisms”. It was interesting to see how his on stage persona seemed to differ substantially from the one who featured in the songs: a character, full of banter to entertain his audience one moment, a cool, calm and collected performer the next one. Besides being a soulful songwriter, Ash is also an apt singer and player with a clear but powerful voice which he can modulate accordingly, even hitting random high notes. He provided for a half hour of quality music… Rita Vicenza for Music News
Since Worcester’s finest music venue opened all those years back, I’ve witnessed countless bands and numerous singer-songwriters pass through the hallowed doors, from the good, the bad and the ugly, there have been packed out gigs and there’s been the woefully unattended, the forgettable and the never forgot, the Marrs Bar has seen it all (and so have I). On an unassuming Sunday evening The Marrs Bar welcomed a young singer-songwriter for the first time by the name of Ethan Ash and in front of an audience of around about twelve people (don’t get me started about the apathy of the so-called Worcester gig-goer) he proceeded to deliver what has to go down in history as one of the most impressive debuts (if not gigs) at the venue since the grand opening. From the opening number, Would You Mind, Ethan, with just his guitar for company, grabbed the attention of the few in attendance and bewitched them with his stunning, mesmeric voice, his instantly likable stage mannerisms and those all important hook-laden songs. Tales of love and loss were delivered with such emotion, such passion that every note hit by Ethan yanked at the heart strings, it was almost difficult to comprehend how a guy, short in stature could reach such impressive heights, his voice swooped and soared whilst his guitar (both acoustic and electric) rang out. On the sole cover, As Long As I can See The Light (originally Creedence Clearwater Revival) you could almost imagine a gospel choir joining in as Ethan made the song his own with a stunning soul makeover, whilst originals such as Seems Like Love Has Died, Face To Face and Boy Like Me all equally impressed, whilst the encore of Chasing Your Love has hit written all over, with its compelling folky melody and infectious vocal hook. Sure there may not have been many people in attendance, but there wasn’t a single person in the building not moved by Ethan’s jaw-dropping set, soul has a new name and that name is Ethan Ash.  Will Munn, Rhythm & Booze
“Great artist, great EP, great track… just great” “…song writing supremo” Tom Simkins, BBC Introducing

“Ethan Ash was utterly, completely and absolutely fabulous…He’s fabulous, he just does a great turn live” Sue Dougan, BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

“Ethan, with just his guitar for company, grabbed the attention …and bewitched them with his stunning, mesmeric voice, his instantly likable stage mannerisms and those all- important hook-laden songs… he proceeded to deliver what has to go down in history as one of the most impressive debuts (if not gigs) at the venue since the grand opening.” Will Munn, Rhythm & Booze

“Ethan Ash is an acoustic, emotional thief, stealing the hearts of millions… this kid has something special… just an ordinary guy with a guitar, great voice and superb lyrical ability” Vulture Hound Magazine

“…His powerful, versatile voice is instantly likeable …it will remind you of many great singers that have gone before, without sounding like a carbon copy of any of them.” Clean Slate Music

“More than anything else it’s the range Ash has that proves why it’s only a matter of time until he smashes through his glass ceiling into mainstream attention.”7 Bit Arcade

“Ethan is trying to add a funky, soulful twist on this acoustic pop with some very impressive guitar lines and a great voice…Ethan has some extremely impressive musicianship backing him up, and is surely destined for more.” For Folk’s Sake

“Ethan Ash is a definite name of the future and a more than satisfying ‘secret’ right now.”The RingMaster

“When was the last time a waterfall of vocal gymnastics descended so flawlessly that it sent shivers down your spine? Ethan Ash tingles into his audience’s skin”Noize Makes Enemies

“The musician played but a handful of songs…Only six tracks which however were enough to prove that Ash really is talented and that he sounds even better live than on record.”Rita Vicenza for Music News