Ottawa-based Bangladeshi guitarist and singer/songwriter Ash Ravens has unveiled his new single, “Home”.
Enriched by a soothing groove and satisfying nylon string guitar melodies, “Home” is a love song about the unparalleled comfort of feeling at home. For some people, feelings of warmth and belonging aren’t solely associated with a place and, as Ash puts it, “the feeling of ‘Home’ for some people might be a person with whom they feel their truest self.”
Ash Ravens breathes new life into universal messages of honesty and openness with a rhythmic maturity that compliments the personal subject matter.
Rich sonics and a heartwarming fable transport the listener internally to a reflective place where it’s okay to listen to yourself. “Home” is a story that prioritizes self-care over everything and is based on a true story.
Ash Ravens wrote the core of “Home” while studying at the prestigious Los Angeles College of Music in Pasadena, California; he had made a seismic shift in his life, leaving behind his partner (now wife) and hometown to pursue music stardom, and “Home” is directly inspired by Ash’s journey around the world and back into the arms of the person who supported him most.
“Home” was mostly recorded under the guidance of renowned producer/engineer Chris Birkett (Buffy Sainte-Marie, Quincy Jones) in the cities of Ottawa and Toronto, Canada. Birkett’s vocal stylings also make an appearance on “Home” lending a textured feel to the music throughout. Rounding off the release of “Home” is the rustic music video shot by Canadian-Bangladeshi filmmaker Fahd Kabir in Ottawa.
Check out the video for “Home” below, and find out more about Ash Ravens via our mini-interview.
Care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Hi, I’m Ash Ravens, a singer-songwriter and instrumentalist from Ottawa! I write songs in English and Bengali, and make guitar instrumentals too!
What kickstarted the idea to write “Home”?
The core idea of ‘Home’ was written in 2012 when I was studying in Los Angeles College of Music. Back then I had just given up my corporate career and left my hometown and partner to pursue music, and it’s a shameless love song for her haha! The song captures my story of leaving everything behind for a dream, making friends in new places, and waiting for my loved one to join me someday soon.
What do you love about being in Ottawa?
I love Ottawa’s music scene and its small community feel. I’ve felt welcomed here in Ottawa since I arrived in 2021. I love the Byward Market and all it has to offer. I love the fact that Bluesfest is hosted in Ottawa, can’t wait to check it out!
What’s the best thing in your home? Not the most expensive, but the one object you cherish?
That’s easy – my guitars!
You get to see one Canadian artist, anytime, anyplace, in concert – who would it be and why?
I already saw Big Wreck, so that’s off my bucket list! Now I can’t wait to see Bryan Adams soon. His music is very popular in South Asia and I grew up listening to his catalogue. Songs like ‘Back to you’, ‘Heaven’, ‘Everything I do’ etc are a very big part of my musical core. Bryan’s guitarist Keith Scott is also a big inspiration.