Ashbury Heights
| Company type | Music duo |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electronic music, synthpop, electropop |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Headquarters | Sundsvall , Sweden |
| Products | Music albums, singles, EPs |
Ashbury Heights is an electronic music duo originating from Sundsvall, Medelpad, Sweden, established in 2005. The original lineup featured Anders Hagström (handling vocals, songwriting, and programming) alongside vocalist Yasmine Uhlin. After releasing the EP Morning Star in a Black Car, Uhlin departed and was succeeded by Kari Berg. Berg lent her operatic vocal talents to the 2010 album Take Cair Paramour before leaving the group. Following disagreements with their label Out of Line Music, the duo disbanded in 2010 but reunited in 2011. Vocalist Tea F. Thimé joined in 2013, later replaced by the return of founding member Yasmine Uhlin.
Formation
Ashbury Heights was created when Anders Hagström enlisted Yasmine Uhlin to collaborate on his demo recordings. The pair swiftly secured a deal with Out of Line Music, which helped them gain prominence within the synthpop and electropop scenes.
2008: Departure of Yasmine Uhlin
In November 2008, during the final show of the Out of Line festival tour in Hamburg, Uhlin announced her decision to leave the band. She cited personal reasons for pursuing solo endeavors and emphasized that no internal conflicts prompted her departure.
2008–2010: Kari Berg's tenure
Following Uhlin's exit, Anders brought in Kari Berg, an opera-trained singer, who remained with Ashbury Heights from 2008 until 2010. Berg contributed vocals to their sophomore album, Take Cair Paramour, which was released on 2 July 2010 and included a limited edition featuring remixes and exclusive content. During this timeframe, Ashbury Heights also participated in remixing a track for BlutEngel.
2011–2013: Hiatus and revival
Due to disputes with Out of Line Music, Hagström officially dissolved Ashbury Heights in October 2010. After resolving these issues in 2011, the project was revived; however, recording activities recommenced only in 2013 when Tea F. Thimé joined as the new vocalist.
2013–2019: Era with Tea F. Thimé
The revamped lineup’s first interview was published in ElectroStorm 01/2014. Despite lacking prior vocal experience, Thimé became the first full collaborative partner and shared lyric-writing duties. She holds an academic background in English literature and has experience as an alternative model and burlesque artist. The 2015 release The Looking Glass Society marked her debut album with Ashbury Heights, preceded by a live performance comeback at Berlin’s third Out of Line Weekender festival.
In February 2019, Thimé announced her departure to focus on pursuing a Ph.D.
2020–present: Return of Yasmine Uhlin and Ghost House Sessions vol. 1
September 2020 saw the release of Spectres from the Black Moss, featuring original vocalist Yasmine Uhlin once again. The band continued to produce new singles and collaborations, culminating in July 2024 with Ghost House Sessions vol. 1, their first full-length album since 2018. This LP comprises 25 tracks, including ten singles that had previously only been available digitally.
Live supporting musicians
- Elliott Berlin – Keyboards and guitars (2014–present)
- Johan Andersson – Keyboards and guitars (2008–present)
- Kendra Katz – Keyboards (2014–present)
- Tomas Gunnarson – Keyboards (2009 during Synapsi festival in Finland)
Singles
- Firebird (2018)
- Spectres from the Black Moss (2020)
- Wild Eyes featuring Madil Hardis (2020)
- One Trick Pony featuring Massive Ego (2021)
- Cutscenes featuring Danny Blu (2021)
- A Cut In A Place featuring Madil Hardis (2022)
- Is That Your Uniform (2022)
- Tunguska featuring Corlyx (2023)
- Ghosts Electric (2023)
- A Lifetime in the Service of Darkness featuring Ulrike Goldmann (2024)
Studio albums
- Three Cheers for the Newlydeads (2007)
- Take Cair Paramour (2010)
- Take Cair Paramour Alternatives (2012)
- The Looking Glass Society (2015)
- The Victorian Wallflowers (2018)
- Ghost House Sessions, Vol. 1 (2024)
Compilation albums
- Origins (2010)
Extended plays
- Parliament of Rooks (2006)
- Morning Star in a Black Car (2008)
Demos
- Angora Overdrive (2005)