“Cover Me Quick!” By Ren Ashfield and the Magicians
Q: Please introduce yourself to the readers and how you first got into this field of work –and who were some of your influences growing up?
Hi, my name is Ren Ashfield singer-musician and songwriter and I was born and bred in Acton West London UK. I played in many bands growing up in London. There were always new bands being formed in the '70s and '80s with the craziest names! My influences are from the 60's 70's Hippy, Glam, Punk. — what a mix!
Q: What kind of training have you had, if any?
I learned at a young age to sing and play piano and guitar from my father who had a musical background. Being Italian he loved Opera music especially Verdi, Rossini and Puccini and the great singers like Beniamino Gigli and Italian folk singers Roberto Murolo, Domenico Moduno.
Q: Who are the Magicians and how did the band get together?
I decided to contact my friend guitarist Tolo Marton who I had known since 2002 to see if he was interested in Tolo won the Jimi Hendrix Electric Guitar Festival in Seattle in 1998. The event was organized by the Jimi Hendrix family. This prestigious award was given directly to him by Al Hendrix! I got Andrea Tombesi on Bass and Carlo Bonazza (Elisa) on Drums as I knew they were ‘Magical musicians’ having sung with them in the past.
Q: What has been your favourite project to work on so far?
The present project has given me the belief that the right people are like wings, they can make you fly!!!
Q: Is this the first album you recorded?
No, I’ve recorded and released 3 other Cd’s. 2 Eps and 1 Album These are all original material written by me.
Q: Where did you get the inspiration for the album?
Cover me Quick! comes from an idea by me to record a special album with special people.
Originally the songs to be recorded were to be my own compositions but due to work restraints and zero rehearsals, we could not find the time needed to do them justice.
In the end, I decided to do an album of my favorite classics-you know the ones you think to yourself ‘oh my, one day I would love to re-record that tune!’
Being covers we were able to record them quickly, I decided to rearrange, rebuild, respray and add a modern touch to them without disturbing the sacred ashes too much! — as a Russian blogger wrote!
Recorded and mixed in Italy, the Mastering was done in London by the great Jon Astley (The Who, Eric Clapton, Rolling Stones).
Q: What sports do you enjoy watching?
Soccer,moto GP, Formula 1,wrestling,boxing.
Q: What has been one of the biggest highlights/achievements of your career?
I think singing with Ian Paice of Deep Purple. I sang five times with Ian including once at he Geox Theatre @Padua — that was a Blast! Also singing two or three times with Don Airy of Deep Purple. I’ve also shared the stage with Marco Mendoza (Thinlizzy White Snake).
Q: If you had a chance to work alongside anybody who would that be?
Id love to sing with Keith Richards or Pete Townsend they are living legends, an impossible dream!
Q: What projects do you have coming up?
I hope that the next record we make will with original songs with maybe a cover or two. We shall see!
Q: Where people can see you, can you provide Social Profiles:
Facebook page — https://www.facebook.com/RenAshfieldmusic/
Email Contact — renegade189@gmail.com / renashfield1@gmail.com
Ren and the Magicians are :
Ren Ashfield — Lead vocalist
Tolo Marton — Guitar B/vocals
Andrea Tombesi — Bass Guitar B/Vocals
Carlo Bonazza — Drums
Cover me Quick! Is available on Digital Download on Spotify, Itunes, Deezer, Amazon, Google and youtube from 28th October 2019.
