Asher Laub is a musician with many talents. At the age of two, while most of us learned how to walk and talk, he started training in classical violin. By the time he was thirteen, Laub had already performed with the Buffalo philharmonic. Having performed at prestigious venues such as Madison Square Garden and Hammerstein Hall, he quickly became an electrifying performer who is delightful to watch on stage.
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Known for breakdancing across the stage with his electric violin, Asher Laub has gained a following owing to the prowess he displays in trans-genre improvisation. Whether it is jazz, pop, or even Bollywood, there is no genre he does not seamlessly fit into. After working as a soloist for many years, it is exciting that we finally get to hear music written, arranged, and produced by him. It gives us a sense of who he is as a person and what goes on in his creative mind.
His latest single, ‘Dreaming Awake,’ is a fun, heady mix of pop and funk. The track amalgamates bright, peppy chords, a danceable beat, and minimal production layers. The star of the track, as always, is the violin.
If you are listening to Asher Laub’s music for the first time, then the first thing that strikes you is the delicate balance. We know that he is capable of many chops and theatrics, but he chooses to emote rather than show off his skills. The melody lines on Dreaming Awake flow in and out gently throughout the song. This makes it feel less like a solo and more of a thought-out piece of composition.
By exercising restraints, Laub can achieve what many violin players today cannot do: make the instrument sound modern and relevant.
When playing a classical instrument such as the violin, it is important to make it accessible to the listener. Laub seems to have no problems in this department.
The track has plenty of peaks and troughs arranged carefully. There’s never a dull moment, and this is one of those tracks that makes you hit that replay button as soon as it’s over.
The TikTok Sensation
So it comes as no surprise that Dreaming Awake is now trending on TikTok. With almost 1 million views and 60UGCs for his hashtag #alreadygrateful, Laub has successfully connected with a younger audience, the Gen Z, who are all about using the social media platform to express who they are and engage with one another. We know that TikTok is the most used app by teenagers and young adults today. This only validates Laub’s attempts to master the art of writing music, which can move someone deeply.
It is encouraging to know that Laub has managed to dispel myths about the violin being fit only for serious, classical music. He is changing this mindset by making music that has a modern edge and incorporates elements from electronic pop and dance music.
If you want a little pick me up for the day, a song that makes you feel cheerful, then you should probably listen to Asher Laub’s ‘Dreaming Awake.’ Or better, you can add to the TikTok trend by creating one of your own!
Download the music from AsherLaub.com
