Ep 18: Ed Askew (Focus on Music Series)

Ep 18: Ed Askew (Focus on Music Series) 

I was blown away after listening to Ed Askew's Album "Ask The Unicorn" about 15 years ago, which came out in 1968. Since then I've gotten to know his music a lot better and am a huge fan. He has such a pure and unique style. He fits into a few categories of music such as Psychedelic Folk,  Freak Folk, and Private Press Music. We spoke a few months ago after he unfortunately had a stroke, but is doing a bit better now. If you are in there NYC area, he has a show playing with Kath Bloom in Brooklyn Feb 26th at 7pm. It says it's a secret location so contact Kath or Ed for more details.    

Ed Askew is a painter and singer-songwriter who lives in New York City. Born in Stamford, Connecticut, he moved to New Haven to study painting at Yale Art School in 1963 and took up, more or less, permanent residence there until leaving for New York in 1987.

After graduating from art school in 1966, Askew was called up for the draft. Not feeling particularly enthusiastic about going to war at age 26 (the Navy tried to convince him that he should apply for officer training!), he looked for a teaching job and found work at a private prep school in Connecticut. It was while teaching he started making songs; he also acquired his Martin Tiple at this time. "I must have written 25 songs that semester; all of the material on Unicorn and possibly some stuff on Little Eyes."

The singer-songwriter moved to New York for a few months n 1967 where he met Bernard Stolman of ESP Disk', who offered him a contract. Between 1968 and 1986, Ed lived, mostly, in New Haven; doing occasional shows with his band, and later doing solo shows there.

Around 1987, Ed moved to New York City, where he continues to write and record songs, and occasionally perform.

More info on Ed here... 

https://edaskew.bandcamp.com/

https://www.instagram.com/edcraneaskew/

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