ASW – Dahlia EP
After months of single releases selling his debut opus, Seattle-based artist Alex Wagner, who produces below the moniker ASW, unties one last bow to disclose his Dahlia EP in full on LA-based label Popgang Records. Dahlia takes you into a brand new world of sound that you simply’ve by no means felt or heard earlier than, telling a narrative by means of moody soundscapes that mix various rock, psychedelia, progressive home, and extra to envelop ASW’s signature sound.
Dahlia is an idea EP, offered as a literal interpretation of a blooming flower on a hillside. Beneath it’s rooted within the emotional battle and development of a person, painted as an summary vignette of Wagner’s psychological well being journey all through the pandemic.
Wagner first launched us to this idea EP in early spring with the discharge of single “A Garden Overrun,” which was launched in tandem with the launch of his ongoing livestream series, The Dahlia Expertise. The broadcasts have raised greater than $5,000 for Crisis Text Line, a nonprofit that ASW has volunteered a whole bunch of hours with performing as a text-based useful resource for these in disaster.
The Dahlia launch marketing campaign continued all through the summer time with follow-up single “Roots,” adopted by “Soil and The Seed.” Each are sonic journeys that bridge collectively Wagner’s brooding, falsetto vocals with textured synths, rolling basslines, and instrumental preparations of guitar, keys, and different percussion. With every launch we climb nearer to the EP’s apex single, “Dahlia,” the fourth and last piece in completion of Dahlia’s bloom cycle. “Dahlia” closes the circle, a chic and vibrant dance monitor bursting forth with power — the ceremonious mild on the finish of the tunnel.
Wagner has devoted his artwork and profession as a musician to spearheading the dialog surrounding psychological well being. As somebody identified with bipolar dysfunction, Wagner has felt that conversations surrounding psychological well being, no matter severity, should turn out to be as accepted as discussing the climate amongst creatives. Along with his fundraising livestreams for Crisis Hot Line, ASW lately launched a mental health TikTok series that focuses on questions and misconceptions about bipolar dysfunction as Wagner recounts from his personal experiences.
Wagner has painted Dahlia as a poetic translation of his battle with psychological well being, and as a inventive channel advocating for many who battle with it.
The total Dahlia EP is out now in full on Popgang Information.