APB is (from L-R): Ashley Pond- Vocals/Guitar, Scott Smith- Drums, Eric Halder- Lead Guitar, Sarah Clark- Bass/Keyboards.
True to Form
By Josh Potter
Ashley Pond Band
The Warning
It’s tempting to use the term “slow burn” to describe the way many tracks on The Warning spread from singer-songwriter Ashley Pond’s acoustic sketches into fully formed roadhouse arrangements. If you consider the ground covered between sultry opener “No More West to Be Won” and disc-closing mini-epic “The River,” the whole album is a slow burn. Indeed, it’s a testament to the band’s range that it won’t become clear to the listener until the snarling title track that we’re dealing with a bona fide blues band here. However, for those who have followed Pond since the release of Dala in 2007 and through the addition of bassist Sarah Clark and drummer Scott Smith, this assertion should come as no surprise.
Cool composure runs through the uptempo tracks (“Breaking Day,” “Wolf Man”) in the manner of Van Morrison, while achieving a haunting, ethereal effect on the slower ones (“Meet Me”), and the band—extended at times to include strings, reeds, vibraphone, horns, and guitar work from Eric Halder—never assert themselves more than the song demands. Even in their mature, fleshed-out configuration, the group still are ultimately about supporting Pond’s enchanting and virtuosic voice, which tends to steal the attention from her equally impressive guitar playing. With the full band, tracks like “There You Are” trade what could be easy comparisons to Ani DiFranco and ’90s femme rockers for nods to Janis Joplin and Robert Plant. Never hesitating to draw a note out for its full effect, and warbling just outside a lyric’s point of resolution, Pond reaches for something more elemental than an acoustic songwriter’s average confessional fare.
Given the band’s penchant for the blues, ’70s production values, and owl iconography—not to mention a recent Alive at Five opening slot—it’s also tempting to draw some parallels between Pond and Burlington act Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. If the latter’s steep ascent can be read as an omen, it’s probably safe to say that things are just getting started for the Ashley Pond Band.
Hey Ashley!! Long time no talk. Im glad to see a band has formed from your brilliance. Let me know if you ever want to do a show in Syracuse, or in Northampton, MA. I have musical venue connections. small and large. :)
Hi, I know I'm like really late on this but I just wanted to thank you for the add! Your music is really awesome. I must try to make it out for a show sometime. Keep rockin'
I just remembered that you had told me you are playing a gig in NYC soon so was on to check when... It was suppose to be tonight! Thanks for rescheduling so I wouldnt miss it. :) You look gorgeous in this photo by the way! xo
APB is (from L-R): Ashley Pond- Vocals/Guitar, Scott Smith- Drums, Eric Halder- Lead Guitar, Sarah Clark- Bass/Keyboards.
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