Photo by Tyler Nelson
Asher Gray
Asher Gray is a unique musician who has been playing traditional Irish music at Irish Fest every summer since 1997, creating electronic music and DJing on top of that since just about the same time.
Gray is part of a rotating cast of Irish musicians with a regular weekly gig at the County Clare, which obviously has not been happening. Another regular event he’s been missing is Club Ritual, where Gray DJed monthly at Quarter’s Rock and Roll Palace in Riverwest among other fine establishments throughout the city.
Gray’s electronic music takes a backseat in the summer usually for added Irish performances around Irish Fest, County Clare and other random shows he picks up, but with most of those not happening, he was looking for another outlet.
Club Ritual started a Twitch stream called “Long Distance Call,” which worked almost like a radio program with a hotline, where listeners/viewers could call in and make requests or just say hi.
When the pandemic hit earlier this year, Gray hunkered down with his wife Kayleigh and son Luka at their home in Bay View. They stayed put for the most part and ended up exhausting almost every chore, inside and out.
The Grays toyed with the idea of getting a boat for a while, but the limited amount of activities really sold them on it before the summer came to an end.
“Everybody that we encounter on the water or getting in the water is super friendly,” says Gray. “It’s been a nice change of pace with all the negative climate in our country and in the world right now. Everybody just seems to always be positive; waving, smiling, it’s really nice.”
While there are plans for more virtual parties, Gray also wants to work on a proper Irish music album in the next few months. Stay tuned.
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Check out the video ride-along and performance by Asher Gray from his boat overlooking Milwaukee from the water.
Listen to an extended conversation with Gray on Shepherd Bites, the podcast that gives a little deeper look into some of the story that didn’t make it to the written article.
To read more stories of Milwaukee musicians dealing with lockdowns, sheltering in place and more, click here.
To read more articles by Tyler Nelson, click here.
