Legendary Australian roots troubadour Ash Grunwald returns with a vengeance in 2017, opening a new chapter in his fifteen-year career with the release of blues/rock stomper 'Hammer' and a tour announcement.

Taking cues from classic bluesmen including R. L Burnside and John Lee Hooker and old prison work songs, Grunwald drags the genre into the 21st century, adding a twist of classic rock, neo soul and a hat-tip to roots contemporaries including Butler, Rudd and Harper. 'Hammer' is Grunwald's most accomplished track to date, showing an artist emerging with a confidence and resolve of a leader rather than a follower.

"Hammer feels like a rebirth for me in some ways," said Grunwald. "I'm not a new artist trying to find my niche or prove myself. I don't want to be a certain kind of artist fitting into a certain kind of box. I went in to record Hammer knowing the musical boundaries I wanted to push as well as the traditions I wanted to respect and tried to create something my fans would love... a signpost to the future in some ways, with ties to the past."

Written as part of a recording trip to the US last year, the song is the first taste of Ash's forthcoming 10th studio album and his first since 2015s successful 'Now', which saw him touring the world with sold out shows and festivals across America, Canada, New Zealand and of course Australia.

"Being able to create a life as a musician is a true blessing and there's nothing better than playing in front of an audience of like-minded people and feeling that connection. Hammer was a clear crowd favourite at the festivals I played last year. One that people seemed to latch on to in a live environment, and I'm really excited to have a recorded version to open what I think is going to be a really fulfilling year for me musically."

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