Today we’d like to introduce you to Ian Ash. Them and their team share their story with us below:
There’s an undeniable scent of nostalgia in the air. Our distraction-filled digital lives crave something organic, real, and spontaneous; The Last Bees was a spontaneous experiment that soon took on its brand. Ian Ash was inspired by the Led Zeppelin throwback of Greta Van Fleet and the 60’s throwback of artists like JD McPherson, Megan Trainor, and Pokey LaFarge. One cold winter in early January, Ash finished recording “Can’t-Wait” at his home studio in Wisconsin. It was a fitting track with an early Beatles approach, as Ash is a self-proclaimed Beatles geek with a vocal resonance resembling John Lennon. Ian buzzed down to Chicago to play the track for his manager, who posited the question- how about making a collection of songs like this?! So, Ash went back to his hive and did just that. He wrote, produced, and arranged songs that hark back to a time not so different from our current culture, when people also needed positive, uplifting release from the vicissitudes of a world-changing so quickly. The melodies were sweet as honey, but the vocals and instruments had an edge that stung like a bee. And thus, The Last Bees was born.
We all face challenges, but would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Persistence has been vital in The Last Bees’ career. We lost a dear friend and mentor (Stephen Short) to cancer. We’ve had some “no’s” that later turned into “yes’s,” and I think that’s some of the luck that starts coming when you stick with something.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I write and produce music at a home studio in Waukesha, WI. I’m known for writing a variety of pop music with an emphasis on retro rock/pop music with my band, The Last Bees. One of my proudest accomplishments was opening for The Beach Boys- those guys are some of my musical heroes and have been a huge inspiration. What sets us apart from other acts is that we combine a little of the past and the present interestingly, sounding like a modern musician might do when they make a record at home in 2022. But with a song arrangement that might have been popular 20 years back or so. Our new EP, “Beeswax: None of Yours, Inc.” came out in November- it’s available on Spotify, Apple Music, and everywhere you listen. A couple of ties to Nashville would include my friend Johnathan Pushkar, a fellow retro-rocker like The Last Bees. We put out a song we wrote together earlier this year called “No Way Home” and did a lego-animated music video.
Fun story- last time I was in Nashville, my girlfriend and I were out at Kid Rock’s Honky Tonk on Broadway- and she arranged for me to get on stage and sing with the band! We did “Beast of Burden,” and the band and audience were very kind and welcoming.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Absolutely. My mentor Stephen Short who passed away was great as a former owner of Trident Studios in London; he helped me learn the recording process so that I could eventually record on my own. My manager Roger in Chicago, has been instrumental in helping The Last Bees become a brand beyond the music and find our niche in today’s industry. I’m also eternally to my voice teacher Dr. Tom Weis, who helped me find my true voice, but also helped me navigate between classical and pop singing while expanding my vocal range.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thelastbees.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/the_last_bees
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/thelastbeesmusic
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/the_last_bees
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/thelastbeesmusic
Image Credits
Photos by Dan Kazinski
