Ashengrace is the project of musician David Holton. The band have gone through a number of changes since their first incarnation in the early 1990's. After a lineup change in 1998, David continued the project on his own. Currently he performs all instrumentation and vocal work, as well as all songwriting and production work.
Ashengrace derive inspiration and influence from a diverse roster of arists including Pink Floyd, the Cocteau Twins, and Clan of Xymox to name a few. Presenting the somber side of music in an almost "pop" feel, Ashengrace present their views of the world through layers of lush guitars, synthesizers, and distant vocals.
a history of ashengrace
1987-1990
David begins practicing guitar. Ian and David meet and perform for the next year in their first band "Vixen Red", with members Greg Gemson on guitars and keyboards and Chris Roe on drums. David relocates to Denver, CO. Performs in several local bands. Ian performs with local group The Revenant for several months.
1991-1992
David returns to Arizona. He and Ian form Euthanasia and record one album "ashengrace217" that was never released. They perform with Jaysun for the first time in spring of 1992. All members return to Denver. Attempts at reforming the Euthansia lineup fail and the group disbands. Some material for Drawing Down the Moon is written in this time period. Jaysun records and releases "The Dance of Macabre" as a solo project.
1993-1995
Ian returns to Tucson in January, followed by David and Jaysun later that year. Ashengrace is formed. With new equipment, the first songs for Drawing Down the Moon are recorded. A three song demo tape with "Newsong", "The Beach", and "Blue" is released, receiving airplay for the first time that Christmas. Ashengrace disbands as the members depart to pursue other interests. Ian performs with members of Projekt recording artists loveliescrushing under the working title "Blurhead".
1996-1998
Ashengrace reform. Drawing Down the Moon is recorded and released. Material for Sandstorm is recorded, several live shows. Ian and Jaysun leave in early 1998 to pursue other interests.
1990-2000
Continuing as a one-man band with David Holton remaining, all ashengrace titles are released on compact disc. 3 releases come out this year including "Blue Ruin", "awake in semuta" featuring new material and remixes from Drawing Down the Moon, and the promo album "Sunless", very quickly taken out of print. Ashengrace joins mp3.com and Mike Ventarola's "Hidden Sanctuary" New Music Army, a big step for the band. The ashengrace website passes 5,000 visitors.
Fall 2000-2001
Ashengrace complete their most sucessful release to date, the album "Surface". The first single "Seven" is a regular contender for the top 10 on mp3.com's shoegaze charts. "Sekhmet and Osiris" and "November" tail behind as very sucessful tracks.
2002
Ashengrace release their followup to "Surface" entitled "Eve and Mistral". The first single "Coldlight" breaks out as a contender to top "Seven" from the last album. The Ashengrace Official Website passes 12,000 visitors, with the mp3.com site not far behind.
Source: http://personal.riverusers.com/~ashengrace/sections/bio/bio.htm
