IN the wake of the recent release of Ash Grunwald’s new album, “Trouble’s Door,” the blues star will be performing at The Abbey as part of his regional tour. 

His album is an angry one; “It’s some of my most personal song writing,” he says, as he lashes out at political and environmental mismanagement and “rampant unchecked capitalism.”

The new album is the result of two years of change for Grunwald, following the huge success of 2010’s award-winning album, “Hot Mama Vibes” and a move from Victoria to Northern NSW.

A notable live performer, he has played venues like London’s The Borderline and Shepherds Bush Empire, and supported James Brown, Bo Diddley, Keith Urban, Jack Johnson, Missy Higgins and Pete Murray.

Grunwald has been nominated five times for Australia’s ARIA Awards, and wins include MBAS Blues Performer of the Year in 2003 and the AIR Best Independent Blues and Roots Album, in 2009 taking out an APRA song writing award for Blues & Roots Song of the Year.

He has in more recent times been working with producer Countbounce on a “soul and hip-hop approach.”

His first single from “Hot Mama,” “Walking” prominently featured in theHollywoodblockbuster, “Limitless,” starring Robert De Niro and Bradley Cooper.

Lately he’s played in NZ for the first time at Kaikoura Roots & WOMAD NZ, made a return to WOMADelaide, toured Canada and played Aussie festivals, including the Snowy Mountains of Music.

Ash Grunwald, at The Abbey, O’Hanlon Place, Nicholls, from 6.30pm, Thursday, August 16, bookings to www.theabbey.com.au or 6230 2905