“It’s essentially Sophisti-Ratchet 2. It’s called Durags N Bonnets. The cover was designed by the Ja’Aron Merchant! This album is act two in a trilogy that will finish next year. Some of the songs I made in Colombia while I was touring before being Latin Grammy Nominated for a collaboration.” DURAGS N BONNETS Out Now Pre-save
“It’s essentially Sophisti-Ratchet 2. It’s called Durags N Bonnets. The cover was designed by the Ja’Aron Merchant! This album is act two in a trilogy that will finish next year. Some of the songs I made in Colombia while I was touring before being Latin Grammy Nominated for a collaboration.”
DURAGS N BONNETS Out Now Pre-save here // Listen here // Watch here
“This album has a range of emotions with a little bit more maturity all aimed at the idea of radical rest. I think we are heavy in grind culture even during a pandemic. When we should lean into rest because rest allows healing. On this project there is still ukulele, beatboxing, witty word play, and 808. But you can hear my growth as a storyteller in how I am approaching topic.”
Ashford’s rise came from a performance history in live theatre, receiving top honors from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in DC, United Solo Festival in New York City, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and New Zealand Fringe Festival. We invited him to share his first album here: Album Release: “Sophisti-Ratchet” Pioneers First Global Digital Tour On CLubhouse App
“As a 3rd year phd student in interdisciplinary fine arts completing this album which is part of a larger project and educational argument has forced me to question the status quo and pioneer a path that can hopefully open space for other. The album had 8 songs but we decided to go with 7 instead and have people wait for the 3 to close the trilogy strong. I definitely have performed this album last year on the digital Sophisti-World Tour as well as the FOMO tour.”
“This will be my first web3 album. I have my own crypto currency called “DADA” which means Dr. Austin Dean Ashford coin. For those who are interested $DADA can buy you a link to the album now! As well as get you tickets to my shows, buy merch, and even get my exclusives. Plus, I will be having an NFT that goes with the album that can also be purchased in my coin. I’m beyond excited to release a second body of work. Especially after releasing my debut last year near my birthday but this year it is on my birthday! Between my first album and this one there should be about an hour of my music that people can listen to. This album is a checkpoint of me finding a form while still remaining shapeless like water.“
Austin Dean Ashford is currently touring to promote his album release which is available now via all major digital streaming platforms.
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