credit Camille Lenain, camillelenain.com
Basher
Basher plays highly improvisational dance music with the energy of a punk band and a free jazz spirit, propelled by two drumsets, analog synthesizers and two saxophones. Led by saxophonist and composer Byron Asher, Basher has garnered the adoration of the New Orleans creative music scene with its combination of danceable grooves, anthemic melodies, and wild clash of avant garde leaning acoustic and electronic textures. They've been playing listening rooms, dive bars, train tunnels, and arenas across the South since 2017. In 2022, they released their LP "Doubles" on Sinking City Records, which Downbeat gave 4 stars, claiming it "slaps," and Pitchfork called "unbearably beautiful." In 2024, they released their newest LP “May Day” on Sinking City Records, which WeJazz Magazine called a “euphoric release.”
NEW RECORD MAY DAY out now on Sinking City Records!! Listen and/or purchase here.
Listen and/or purchase 2022’s Doubles here.
“Unbearably beautiful.” - Pitchfork Magazine
“It slaps. 4 stars.” - Downbeat Magazine
“Perfect to put on when the only thing that is needed is a euphoric release.” - We Jazz Magazine
Current collaborators include: Emily Mikesell, trumpet, Daniel Meineke, synthesizers, Zach Rhea, drums, Trenton O’Neill, drums, Sam Shahin, drums, and Peter Varnado, drums.
Past collaborators include Aurora Nealand, saxophone, Anthony Cuccia, synthesizers, Brad Webb, drums, and Paul Thibodeaux, drums. In 2018, the original configuration of Basher — two saxophones and one drumset, featuring Brad Webb and Dr. Reagan Mitchell — released “100% Humidity,” on Breakfast for Dinner Records.