Kind of Retro

If you like rhythm and blues, or jazz, or soul, or even funk.... then you'll love Out of the Ashes. They are a duo, or a five piece, or even a big band, depending on where they play. When I saw them perform at Creation Fest 2018 I saw them as a five piece, and even then they created a very full sound. Husband and wife team Kevin and Penny are at the core of the act, he as lead guitarist, and she as lead vocalist. The band is colourful, eclectic and dynamic, their vocal harmonies are tight, and as you listen you can't help but join in with the fun as you move to the wonderful rhythms and swing/jazz/funk tempos the band generates. Out of the Ashes' music is cool, clever and captivating.

The band goes beyond the music though. When I caught up with Penny and Kevin backstage at Creation Fest 2018, I talked to them about their inspirations and their message. They are keen to tackle cultural and social issues, especially around ageism and marginalisation in society. Many of their songs, which are mainly self-penned, reflect their concerns and their message of hope. Their message is for all generations, whatever the age, and they are well worth a listen, because you'll probably find your musical taste represented somewhere in their set list! The interview link is below - just click the white arrow in the red circle to hear it.

The new album by Out of the Ashes is entitled Get Out of the Boat. It's out soon, so don't miss it (the boat that is).
 

Photo credit: Steve Wheeler

Creative Commons License
Kind of Retro by Steve Wheeler was written in Plymouth, England and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

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