Gareth Asher

From the venue:

Gareth Asher

Gareth Asher is a Georgia-born singer-songwriter and guitarist with a style identified as Southern Soul. Gareth’s expressive voice cuts straight into the core of his listener’s emotions. The passion in his singing, along with the relatable lyrics have brought fans along with him on an extraordinary musical journey. Through Asher’s music he brings together a community to make this world a better place.

Asher, son of musical parents, latched onto rock and roll before he turned five. He grew up in the Appalachian foothills of West Georgia, listening to his parents’ rock and roll band and singing along with the records of great artists like Don Henley, Jackson Browne, Bob Seager, and Bruce Springsteen. The day he picked up a guitar and strummed it, he knew he’d found his instrument. Passionate about singing, he wrote his first song at age 15 and was jamming with local performers as soon as they would let him in the clubs to play. He continued working on his songwriting and guitar playing while a student at the local university and soon became the featured entertainer in local venues, where his passionate voice delivering original lyrics—the kind that makes you want to sit up and listen–quickly developed a loyal audience.

Gareth began his professional musical career in 2002 as the lead singer in the four-piece guitar-driven alternative rock band, Illbreak. Illbreak’s debut album on Imprint Records, The Flood was released in 2005. It was around that time that Asher put out his first solo record, No Reality. In addition to releasing multiple records over the years, Asher has several collaborations including Get It Right featuring Nappy Roots in 2011, and One Day featuring Niko Moon in 2014.

One of Asher’s greatest collaborations began in 2011 when he crossed paths with Nicki Thrailkill. These kindred spirits then went on to perform as Gareth Asher + the Earthlings and then in 2017 as Ink + Ash. Their music is like a raw, uncut stone with hidden magic. Hold it in your hands, your hearts, your souls. Feel the vibration and be healed.

As a touring artist, Asher has shared the stage with Shawn Mullins, Glen Phillips (Toad the Wet Sprocket), Emerson Hart (Tonic), Angie Aparo, Corey Smith, Sister Hazel, Collective Soul, 3 Doors Down, Steve Cropper and many more.

Ask fans what they like best about Gareth Asher and they have a simple reply: the passion in his voice, and the lyrics they connect with.

“Gareth has the most soulful voice I have ever heard. The first time I heard his music I just had to stop and take it in. I imagine that is what it was like for those who heard Ray Charles or John Lennon for the first time.” - Holly Firfer (92.9 Dave FM On-Air, Atlanta & Company)

In comments likening Asher’s voice to that of famed tenors such as Jeff Buckley, Ray Lamontagne, and even Cat Stevens, record and session producer Charlie Peacock describes Gareth Asher and the Earthlings as “solid in all the ways we need a decidedly American singer-songwriter to be. What do you get? To begin with there’s loopy grooves, big wide tambourines, and a by- the-book folky, rock mix. All the usual Americana instruments are up front and in the shadows: Acoustic guitars, B3, Wurlitzer electric piano, drums, bass, and electrics.”

Discography

No Reality - 2004

I’m the Earth – 2007

Between the Smile and Tears – 2010

Eyes on the Horizon – 2013

Here We Are – 2015

Defend the Flame - 2019