Interview: Scott Middleton (Bask)
The term “cosmic country” gets tossed around a lot these days, usually to describe alt-country acts with a hint of psychedelic flair. But for Asheville veterans Bask, a more fitting label might be Galactic Appalachian Rock. On their new album, The Turning, the quintet doesn’t just flirt with the spacey side of things — they launch full throttle into the cosmos while staying tethered to the great American landscape, from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the dusty terrain of the Southwest.
Since forming over a decade ago, Bask has built its reputation on heavy, cross-genre exploration. And in the five years since its third album, III, the world — and the band members’ lives — have been through seismic shifts. The Turning channels that weight, ascending to vast, otherworldly heights while still leaving room for moments of striking serenity. Grounded in themes of aging, grief, and family, Zeb Wright’s lyrics keep the record fettered to reality even as the music drifts into uncharted territory.
That journey culminates Friday, Aug. 22, when Bask celebrates the release of The Turning with a massive free show at The Orange Peel. True to form, the band has stacked the bill with a lineup as eclectic as its own sound: Secret Shame, Generation of Vipers, Tombstone Poetry, and Cliff B. Worsham. More than just a record release, the night feels like a celebration of Asheville’s music scene itself.
In the lead-up to the main event, Asheville Stages caught up with Bask drummer Scott Middleton to talk about the new album, the release show, and the power of dynamics.
Jonny Leather: It’s been a while since you released III. Beyond the addition of Jed Willis as an official member, how would you say the band has evolved in the years since?
Scott Middleton: We've all been through a lot since releasing III, from getting through the wacky [COVID-19] pandemic times to surviving the devastation Tropical Storm Helene hit our region with. That, plus a lot of personal challenges hopefully flows into our music.
JL: Jed’s pedal steel on “Dig My Heels” offers a strong glimpse into his influence on the new material. How would you describe his overall impact on The Turning?
SM: Jed brings a lot of color, shading, and mood to our songs. I call him the "Swiss army knife" of the band; he does a lot of various things well. He also put a good bit of banjo down on The Turning.
JL: The lead singles “Dig My Heels” and “Long Lost Light” stand out for their patience and spaciousness, evoking open, quiet American landscapes at times. That dynamic range feels especially rare among heavy bands. Was there ever hesitation in the studio, especially with the two-minute ambient stretch at the heart of “Dig My Heels”?
SM: There wasn't hesitation in the studio. On this recording I felt fortunate we had more time for overdubs and experimentation. This section of "Dig My Heels" is a good example of that, vibing it out and sinking into the part.
JL: Has Bask always strived for a wide dynamic range?
SM: Yes, we have — balance and light vs. dark is crucial. Full blown distortion and amps cranked to 10 an entire song gets redundant. For example, Mogwai is one of the heaviest bands I've ever seen live; they are masters of contrast. I love bashing the hell out of the drums and also cherish texture and subtlety.
JL: You’ve been on the road a bit this year — how has the new material been received by fans?
SM: Pretty well so far. We had a Bandcamp listening party a few nights ago and listened through the entire album with fans. It was a really cool experience listening to it together and the feedback was very positive.
JL: Are there any new songs that have especially resonated live or that you’ve really enjoyed playing?
SM: We've been playing "In the Heat of the Dying Sun" and "The Traveler" live and they're both fun, especially from a drumming perspective. There's a bit of wiggle room for some improvisation in the former, and the latter song is upbeat with lots of twists and turns.
JL: The lineup for The Orange Peel release show features a wide range of musical styles, all of which still seem to fit within your broader sonic palette. What does it mean to celebrate this album alongside those particular artists on that stage?
SM: We love a diverse show that keeps it interesting for the audience. It's a pretty similar philosophy to that of our musical dynamics. The lineup at The Orange Peel has a little bit for everyone.
JL: Given how your sound straddles both heaviness and twang, do you see yourselves as a kind of bridge between Asheville’s metal and Americana communities?
SM: That sounds pretty accurate but more like straddling the line between heavy music and the other realms our tunes inhabit. We pride ourselves on our multifaceted nature.
JL: Do you often gravitate toward playing with bands that might not be an obvious genre match, but feel right in spirit or atmosphere?
SM: Yes, we love playing with bands who are doing their own thing, regardless of genre.
JL: You’ve been part of the Asheville music scene for many years. Between the pandemic and Helene, the scene has seen some major challenges. How has your relationship to the local community evolved over the years? And what would you like to see moving forward?
SM: We love Asheville and are continually inspired by our creative community and its majestic mountains. We've seen many amazing artists and venues (shoutout to The Mothlight!) come and go but there is an undying creative spirit that will always remain steadfast in WNC. Moving forward, we would definitely love to see more infrastructure to support various creatives in Asheville, specifically addressing the lack of practice space in the region.
IF YOU GO
Who: Bask w/ Secret Shame, Generation of Vipers, Tombstone Poetry, and Cliff B. Worsham
When: Friday, Aug. 22, 7 p.m.
Where: The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave., theorangepeel.net
Tickets: Free
(Photos by Garrett Williams)
