Meet Owen Ashworth (Advance Base)

Electric pianos and drum machines are the bread and butter of this blog. We appreciate that synthy, lo-fi goodness. We also appreciate DOGS, so we’re gonna throw you a bone and introduce you to Mr. Owen Ashworth, fellow dog-appreciator and lo-fi music loverly. Formerly of Casiotone for the Painfully Alone (HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU DO YOUR HOMEWORK ON THIS ONE PEOPLE), Ashworth’s new project, Advanced Base is a delight. He builds simple, heavy, and nostalgia-infused sounds that will either depress you to your core or make you happy as a clam. Dealer’s choice.

Peep our conversation below to discover his distaste for dolphin noises and a reminder to conserve electricity.

Would you rather…

only be able to communicate with Morse code or dolphin noises?

Morse code. It's less noisy.

Did you go through any musical phases in high school? Has it in any way shaped what you are making now?

Skinny Puppy & stuff like that. They used a lot synthesizers & drum machines. So, yes.

Are you self taught or did you take lessons/study music?

I took one semester of piano at college. That's where I learned about chords.

Do you think your unique low-fi production sound adds to your narrative?

Yes

If you could only play one instrument for the rest of your life what would it be? Why?

Piano. There are pianos everywhere. It's very convenient.

There are a lot of stories in your music. Does writing songs provide a cathartic release?

I guess so. I also just like stories.

Did you ever get grounded growing up? If so why?

Not so much. I was a pretty good kid.

Do you drive? Are you a good driver?

Yes, I do. I'm pretty good, not great.

If the sky wasn't blue what color would u want it to be?

Grey, just a little darker than the clouds so you can still tell if it's cloudy or not.

How does your latest project relate and or differ from your past work?

It's more about dogs than usual.

Any final comments? (This is your electronic soapbox for one last answer.)

Turn off the lights when you're not using them.

Advance Base