New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Green Light Go Entertainment) Ah, long-distance romance. It's the subject of film, TV, debate among friends and of course, songs. The latest tale of across the pond love is Ariel Abshire's "Essex," a sweet but melancholy look at what it's like to be young and in love, yet alone. The song begins with Abshire's expressive voice admitting the fear that many in this situation have felt, "It's two A.M. and you haven't called me/you're probably asleep and maybe you hate me." The lyrics, written by the Austin scene veteran (she's been singing onstage for nine years now) when she was seventeen, capture a teenaged romance in such a way that the listener will identify with her, even if she's moved on. "Now that I'm almost 20, I'm struck by some of the teenage drama of the lyrics," says Abshire. "At the time, driving on roundabouts in rain was one of my biggest fears. I really would have had to love someone to offer to do that back then. I actually am still kind of scared about that." "Essex" can be found on her latest album, Still So New, due out August 16th. Download "Essex" now:
https://glgpub.com/file_download/167/Ariel-Abshire-Essex.mp3
Still So New, Abshire's second album, produced by Louie Lino (Nada Surf, Wooden Birds and Matt Pond PA), is brimming with passion, honesty and savvy and makes for a lovely blend of youth and experience. It's no wonder, considering that Abshire, while an old hand in the music business, is still relatively new at recording it. "There were so many new experiences during the making of this record," says the singer/songwriter. "I worked with a new producer, I paid for it myself from money made from my last album, and I actually learned to drive. A little late, but I did it.
Raised in the "live music capital of the world," Abshire has always been surrounded by great music and the people who make it. She started singing classic hardcore country at honky tonks and dance halls with Texas music hall-of-famer Alvin Crow at 11 years old. For years, Austin's legendary Broken Spoke was her second home where her talents were nurtured by the likes of Pinetop Perkins, Clifford Antone, and countless other Austin greats. She has shared the stage with lvin Crow, Jerry Jeff Walker, Dale Watson, Kellie Pickler, Robert Earl Keen, Speak, Julia Nunes, The Rocket Summer, Holly Golightly and the Brokeoffs, Golden Arm Trio. Her passion for live shows has not dissipated. "I really live for show days," says Abshire. "It gives me a chance to be more extroverted than I usually am."
Abshire's voice can also be heard on the soundtracks of feature films by Robert Rodriguez and Trevor Romain, numerous video game projects, and an animated cartoon for Adult Swim's William Street Studios.
