Written during the controversial times of the Covid 19 pandemic. This observes and depicts a Californian landscape of pervasive fear and government misdirection.

I AM A KING

New Disco, Funky, Dance music, breaks, Electronic, Brass, Trumpet, Samples, Hip-Hop

Your Atmposhere

Fun, Dance, throwback elements, irreverent, Feel good

Jenny Won't Dance

Composition by Paul Terry 
Arranged by Paul Terry and Ben Schechter
Mixed by Aki Yoshi Ehara

Alas De Oro (Aki mix)

Ashes and Roots is a project by American singer, songwriter, producer and ethnomusicologist, Paul Terry, Jr based in North Inglewood, CA. 

Ashes and Roots, formally performed under the moniker Spicy Fernandez (and prior to that, Las Manchas) with a rotating cast of musicians from his circle of ethnomusicologists and L.A studio musicians. They debuted over ten years ago with a fresh sound and electrifying live performance, garnering attention from VH1 and Warner Bros after a couple of shows and singles revealed hot talent and songs with lyrics that were emotionally graphic. Sometimes sounding organic and warm (2011’s Shadow and Me, Something like a Hound Dog, and I’ll Serenade You), sometimes reflecting deliberately lo-fi vibes with Latin Alt-Rock and Reggae influences (Alas De Oro), but overall rooted in a melodic sense that manages to shine through even as the arrangements heat up taking exploratory dives into the worlds of Hip-Hop, Dance Rock, and EDM production (as on his latest works, I AM A KING, and Which the Wicked?), both available for stream and download to fans for free for a limited time before the official release on Spotify and Apple music later this year.
Working with other instrumentalists and vocalists, he has continued to evolve and refine his sound by expanding his skills in musicianship, production, and arranging so that his mission to unite people from different backgrounds and world views under one roof for a psychedelic experience can manifest. 

Musically, Ashes and Roots fuses live instrumentation, rich vocal melodies and harmonies, world influences, and lush electronic production. His work offers glimpses into the peaceful blending of divergent styles with out coming off as contrived or forced. Noted as much for their emotional lyrical content as their musical prowess, his songs offer a compelling and unique view at being an Independent American artist with conscience in the 21st century. As a vocalist, he has been compared to David Bowie, Beck, Bradley Nowell, and Elliot Smith among others, although his voice remains uniquely his own.