Ash Grunwald

Born in Melbourne under the name Ashley Mark Groenewald, Ash Grunwald emerged from the early 2000s on the Australian blues and roots scene with a guitar-centered style, harmonica, and a very direct rhythmic approach. Initially trained in several local groups before going solo, Ash Grunwald released Introducing Ash Grunwald in 2002, then I Don’t Believe in 2004 and the Live at the Corner album in 2005. His style blends traditional blues, boogie, folk roots and rock-leaning influences, with songwriting that gradually opened up to more modern textures, noticeable on Give Signs in 2006, Fish Out of Water in 2008 and Hot Mama Vibes in 2010. After settling in Byron Bay, Grunwald continues this evolution with Trouble’s Door in 2012, then Gargantua in 2013, recorded with Scott Owen and Andy Strachan of The Living End, in a more electric configuration. The rest of his discography, from Now in 2015 to Mojo in 2019, confirms a balance between rugged blues, looser grooves and contemporary production. In 2020, Grunwald releases the collaborative album Push the Blues Away with Josh Teskey, followed by Shout Into the Noise in 2022 and Bluesfest Studio Sessions in 2023. Present in clubs as well as festivals, Ash Grunwald remains associated with an Australian interpretation of blues, rooted in tradition but regularly shifted toward roots rock and newer forms.