Ashley Gold, emotion and words
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Photo by Drew Carlson
Ashley Gold sat on the floor of her apartment the other day, laptop computer in front of her, and softly crooned the background lyrics that gently embraced the words of friend and poet Lisa Brimmer.
To her left, cellist Corey Grossman alternated between pensive strumming and a thumping beat and guitarist Ben Abrahamson added lines from Spanish flamenco in a thoughtful session that spoke to multiple currents of musical exploration taking place in the Twin Cities.
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"I like for everything to come from an organic place," Gold said in an email interview. "Whether it's writing a melody, meeting new people or falling in love. It has to feel right."
Such collaboration comes naturally to Gold, an energetic yet graceful singer who strives to move people with emotion and words.
She'll have a chance to do so in a big way each Tuesday this month, during a residency at the 331 Club in Minneapolis, where her band will follow a series of vibrant acts, among them Brimmer and High Society; loop pedal performer Molly Dean; Hannah von der Hoff of the band SEXCAT; and Bolo, a project combining African rhythms and electronic sounds with a dash of looping.
Joining Gold on stage will be a trio of agile musicians.
Abrahamson, who plays the classical guitar, has a background in jazz and flamenco, having studied in Spain. He also also incorporates neosoul into his playing while also experimenting with effects pedals and a looping station.
Andrew Foreman, who plays upright and electric bass in the group, has recorded with local hip hop act, Tribe and Big Cats, and also plays with the jazz ensemble The Neighborhood Trio and folk songstress Sarah Morris.
Drummer Zach Schmidt is deeply rooted in jazz and plays with guitarist Cory Wong.
Guiding their musical conversation will be Gold, who thrives in an improvisational setting. See my Q&A with her here.