By: Daiyu Tang
The Observer was invited to interview one of the (hopefully) up and coming businesses within Hathian. The new business, which comprises a recording studio, record label and intimate performance venue is operated by Mr. Asher Rollins, who along with his (business) associate Joey Arbonne has setup an office in the D8 district where they hope to offer recording sessions, help with musical coaching and support with gigs.
Our initial impression was good, the location, near the gas station is good for foot traffic and had ample parking and after being offered a tour we took some photos then settled down to ask a few questions.
Observer: “Can you tell us a bit more about what you’re offering the citizens in Hathian?”
Asher: “Well as you can see I’m still working on getting it all together but upstairs is a fully functional recording studio and down here this is gonna be the office for ‘Rollins Records’ a record label I founded five or six years ago in Santa Ramona, California. I moved here from California after doing some extensive travelling when my old band broke up… and I picked up some new instruments and learned some new music styles from overseas.”
Observer: “Can you maybe add why you came to Hathian in particular? We have a few musical ‘greats’ and a few less good, but what got you here?”
Asher: “I chose Hathian because I knew in the past there was a thriving music scene here and I figured it would be easy to integrate myself into it.“
The Observer notes that Rize, Ryder Millet, Emily and other artists of some renown have come from the local area and while fortunes rise and fall (as does talent) it is true that Hathian does have a decent music heritage considering our unlucky position with regards to crime, education and so forth.
Joey: “For such a small little parish, there sure are a lot of creative people!”
Observer: “That sounds great and you’re starting a record label as well? Hathian has quite a few bands, and one label I think… Rize Productions, they have an office near here as well. Competition could be fun! There’s the Slayers, Ryder… the different Rize artists like Emily… it’s a good music scene, we’ve even got a basement music venue over at the museum I sometimes work at!”
Asher: “So, the studio is still a work in progress but I do have a fully equipped band room where I practice and I write music and let other local artists who might not have the space or equipment use. I also give lessons there as well.”
Joey left us for a business deal and Asher then showed me the recording studio (pictured above) and then onto the band room, which was actually a garage. First, Asher talked to us about the recording equipment.
Asher: “It’s a fully functional studio right now. I have all digital equipment but I have analogue equipment as well for those who want a more vintage sound to their recordings. I stay up to date with production techniques and software and I have the knowledge to record and edit reel to reel as well…”
Observer: “So it sounds like you have big ambition!”
Asher: “I’m looking to be more than just a recording studio or record label guy. I want to play with other people as well perhaps even reform my old band The Ashes… and I want to give up and coming musicians the chance to hone their skills and give lessons to those who may have wanted to learn to play but never had the opportunity.”
Observer: “The Ashes? Sounds maybe metal? Rock? Something a bit mixed, Falling in Reverse style? Tell me a bit about it?”
Asher: “Well our two albums were kind of different in styles. I don’t want to be pigeon holed as just one particular style but I have copies of both albums I can send you or they are on Spoitfy! The first is more of a 90’s alternative indie rock themed album. Mostly songs I wrote when I still a teenager and still learning some of the instruments I play now. The second album is heavier and more cohesive it was right after marijuana had been legalized in California and there was a whole scene of bands that wrote about that and were kind of a throw back to early metal like Black Sabbath.”
The Observer was allowed to hear a demonstration of the sound and lighting at the garage setup and Asher can play well and the acoustics were good.
Observer: “Awesome, so, I guess can I sum up, is there like a pitch, or perhaps a bit more about you you want to add in… what’s the personal hook and then if I might, where can we next see you? Like an event, or a gig here, or? Hathian loves events!”
Asher: “Well no events are on the books as of yet… Right now though if anyone wants to find me I am around town and I am helping out at Rader to kind of turn their image around and get more people to actually come buy music… and if any venues want I can do a solo show. I have tons of music in different styles that I have been working on and lastly I’d like to say for me its not about the money or the fame, it’s about fostering a scene where musicians can come together and play and meet other like minded individuals and create something new. I give free lessons to those who want to play but don’t know where to start… and as a record label owner my artists interests are always put before my monetary interest!”
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