Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.

GRACE ASKEW - lead vocals, rhythm guitar, Push 2 pad controller, songwriter, producer, composer

ZACH LOGAN – drums

LANDON MOORE – bass, keys, tambourine

For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Grace Askew? How long has the band been around?

It’s really hard to say how many/what bands Landon and Zach have been a part of, so many! They are both music teachers, on top of playing music full-time. We’ve been a band for about 3-4 months.

What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?

It’s my name…Grace Askew.

Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?

I write all of my songs, I’ve never co-written or put a cover on any of my albums. The topics span the gamut, but typically they involve: transformation, frustrated love, joyous love, characters from the road, seedy towns and personal evolutions.

What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?

Sylvan Esso, Jeff Buckley, Mahalia Jackson, Tom Waits

Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?

This path has never been about the bright lights of the stage and a rock’n’roll persona. I was more attracted to the writing process and the reclusive nature of musicianship, because it just fit my creative personality better. Nowadays, I still tour and book my own shows, but the true joy comes from the more behind-the-scenes creative processes, i.e., engineering/recording in my home, writing each morning, and filling myself up with inspiration from nature and real life.

What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, etc …

I have become fascinated by Yoga recently. It’s medicinal powers over the spirit, body, and mind are something I thought I’d never believe in; Yogi’s were something I scoffed at for a long time. But a regular Yoga routine is fast becoming the main source of therapy and reflection that gets me through the more arduous aspects of being a full-time musician. An artist’s life is a lonesome life, to a degree. Creativity is usually an isolating and solitary act, and Yoga helps me find a deeper sense of connection to myself and the world around me. Before a show, I just make sure that my neck and shoulders are limbered up and stretched nicely, via Yoga stretches and a bit of vocal warm-ups are always part of the schedule. Lots of laughter doesn’t hurt a performance either…. I try not to take myself so seriously these days.

What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?

So far, since we are only 3-4 months old, I’d say it’s been an incredibly rewarding and humbling experience to have such dedicated, professional musicians on my “team,” so to speak. We’ve locked in a solid 30-minute showcase of music that flows evenly from one song to the next, as if it were one, solid body of art. This task of creating musical fluidity was rather daunting at first, since I was coming from a decade-long career in the singer-songwriter/storytelling side of music. So typically, I’d perform a song, break to tell a story, and go into the next story/song. This new format has taught me true leadership and attention to detail that I’ve never had to learn before and it CERTAINLY helps that this is a skillset Zach and Landon have had to hone, several times, before.

If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?

Tom Wait…because…Tom Waits.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

“Warrior” is now available on Spotify, iTunes, and Amazon.

 The official “Warrior” music video is also now up on my Grace Askew YT channel.

Instagram: @GraceAskew

Twitter: @graceaskew