Ben Asbury, a Georgia native living in Asheville, NC, released his debut LP via Greenpoint’s Captured Tracks in March under the name Axxa/Abraxas. The name, Asbury explains, is a two-part homage: “Axxa” is a term used by his father in a poem and “Abraxas” references a gnostic godhead.
The 10-track self-titled record is a retrospective of the artist’s work over the last three years. Asbury had previously self-released some of the material on cassette. When he realized he wanted to take his career to the next level, he starting mailing demos. Captured Tracks called back. “It’s nice to see that there are still record labels that listen to demos,” he said.
Asbury recorded the LP with Jarvis Taveniere of the band Woods at Rear House Studios. Back in Brooklyn, he met us at the Captured Tracks record store for a live version of “Painted Blue.”
Catch Axxa/Abraxas live at Baby’s All Right on Friday and Saturday in support of labelmates Beach Fossils.