Although Samuel Zasada have had a revolving cast of musical contributors over the years, singer David Ashbourne has always been at the heart of the band’s sound, putting bittersweet, philosophical lyrics to haunting, ethereal music that is subtle but imaginatively crafted, grandiose but understated. From humble beginnings, recording songs to cassette on a dusty old Tascam 4-track, the band has evolved from a solo endeavour to become a collaborative entity that bring the songs to life.
After years doing the rounds on the local open mic circuit and a couple of self-released albums, it was the Buried and Niesen EPs (and the many gigs which supported these two releases) that first grabbed people’s attention and helped seal Samuel Zasada’s reputation as darkly original songwriters and performers who possess the ability to captivate audiences with intricate guitar patterns, sly rhythms and the beautiful vocal interplay.

Chi Time - Consciousness Raising Radio

Join Clara as she chats with a whole host of Chi-full souls involved in the consciousness raising culture around the world. Loving music too, the show is seasoned with a selection of suitable tracks chosen for their mind-altering sounds and lyrics and also some favourite tracks from guests. 
Chi Time offering you a window in to more choices, inviting well-being into your life, processing difficulties and raising your frequency to inspire you onwards as an integrated being of co-creative love-light.

“…Few contemporary singers can move by just the sound of their voice alone. A New Master who sounds like an Old Master.” – Jack Watkins, Country Music People

A traditional country artist from Oxfordshire, England, Ags Connolly is widely considered to be one of the best singer-songwriters in the genre ever to emerge from the UK – but that doesn’t tell the whole story…

Ags’ songs have been recognised and lauded by artists and country music fans in the US, Canada and beyond since his debut album How About Now emerged in 2014. The influential US review site Saving Country Music heralded his arrival on the scene, saying “Ags Connolly deserves to be considered right beside his Stateside counterparts as one of the carriers of the country music holy ghost”.

Three more highly acclaimed albums have followed, each of which emulated his first in being named Album Of The Month by Country Music People magazine – the longest-running country music publication in the world – who have described Ags as “an English Willie Nelson” and “the best singer-songwriter in the country field that this country has ever turned out”. His third album, Wrong Again, was named Album Of The Year at the 2020 UK Country Music Awards.

Ags’ fourth studio album Siempre took the glimmers of Texas border sounds heard on his previous records and merged them with Tejano music and barroom waltzes while also accommodating his honky tonk and singer-songwriter roots. “It’s best described as a Texas music album”, Ags explained. “Texas-style country is my favourite, and it takes many forms. I wanted to celebrate them all.” Siempre was released in June 2023.

A constant presence on the UK, Ireland and European touring and festival circuit – appearing regularly in the Netherlands, Germany and Scandinavia – Ags has shared stages with country music icons such as Rosanne Cash, Dale Watson and Jim Lauderdale. He has also opened shows for a newer batch of stars, including every date of Charley Crockett‘s major European tour in 2023.

Ags continues to build a reputation as an uncompromising country traditionalist in the UK and beyond. In an era when the pop and rock incarnations of country music are enjoying a surge in popularity, Ags continues to defend the last outpost of the genre’s traditional roots.

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