Ashdunn: Coming Up With UK Garage
We caught up with Ashdunn to talk about early influences, the Garage Shared community, the UKG scene, and where he wants to take things next.
For this edition of Behind The Sound, we speak to Southampton producer Ashdunn about Garage Shared, where UKG is right now, the attention around being a young artist, and what the future holds.
Ashdunn’s route into garage feels closely tied to the music he grew up with. House in the car from his dad, old-school garage in the summer from his mum, and later, a deeper introduction to modern UKG through his connection with Garage Shared.
Now 17, the Southampton producer is building momentum with a sound he describes as “bumpy, old-school-influenced” but shaped by modern production standards. Following the release of Get Live, we caught up with Ashdunn to talk about early influences, the Garage Shared community, the UKG scene, and where he wants to take things next.
Origins & Early Development
How did you first get into dance music, and what made you connect with garage in particular?
My dad always played house music in the car and I remember loving the feeling of the bass, and my mum always played old-school garage tunes in the summer. Most of the modern garage I listen to was introduced to me by Gavin, who runs Garage Shared, including artists like Sammy Virji and MPH back in 2021 and 2022.
Who or what first inspired you to start producing?
I’ve always been inspired by music and DJs in general, but I really started producing by chance, as I was introduced to Logic in school. So it wasn’t necessarily a specific artist or DJ. However, I always looked up to David Guetta and Fatboy Slim as prolific DJs.
Being from Southampton, how has your environment influenced or inspired your relationship with music?
Since I’m 17, I’ve not really experienced the nightlife of Southampton, so I can’t really speak on it. But I find massive inspiration from garage artists like Artful Dodger and Craig David, who helped pioneer the sound coming from Southampton.
“If it weren’t for Garage Shared, I wouldn’t have the likes of DJ EZ and Radio 1 playing my tunes.”
— Ashdunn
Garage Shared & Community
Garage Shared comes up throughout Ashdunn’s journey so far, from his first years sending music to Gavin and getting his release signed by them at 13.
How did your relationship with Garage Shared first come about?
My mum knows Gavin from going clubbing together years ago, and she introduced me to him when I was 11. That was when I first started sending some of my tunes to him.
How has the backing from Garage Shared shaped your confidence as a producer?
Garage Shared have massively supported me, as they have worked with me since I was 11 and first started producing. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have the likes of DJ EZ and Radio 1 playing my tunes, so I’m immensely grateful for the opportunities they’ve given me.
How important has it been to have support from people who understand your direction and give you a platform to develop from?
It’s a massive relief and a joy to see people resonate with my music, especially with support from such established people in the UKG scene, as sometimes it’s hard to distinguish how good your sound is without a second opinion.
What impact did having your first release signed at 13 have on your confidence as a producer?
It made me feel like this could potentially become something more than just doing it for myself. That ability to share my music with more people was exhilarating and definitely made me feel more confident in my ability.
“I’ve finally landed on a more bumpy, old-school-influenced sound with modern production standards.”
— Ashdunn
Production & Process
As Ashdunn’s output has developed, consistency has become a key part of how he talks about his sound. Instead of going from one idea to another, he says he is starting to land on something more defined.
How has your production process changed as you’ve developed as a producer?
I now think I’m starting to develop a more consistent sound, whereas in previous years my tunes would be multiple different, inconsistent styles. I’ve finally landed on a more bumpy, old-school-influenced sound with modern production standards, which I really enjoy making.
When you’re producing, what techniques, plugins or tools feel central to your sound?
I use Serum FX for most of my effects, also Serum OTT and Kickstart are essential, but a lot of the plugins I use are just the Logic Pro default plugins.
17 & Recent Momentum
Ashdunn’s recent EP, 17, reflects that shift in direction. Compared to 16, he describes the project as more rooted in old-school garage and less shaped by the pressure of thinking about an audience.
Congrats on releasing your EP, 17. What feels different about where you are now compared to where you were around the time you released 16?
I feel that my sound for this EP has been more consistent and has a lot more roots in an old-school garage sound, which I love. I also felt that I made this EP devoid of the thought of an audience, simply making these tracks because I enjoy them.
As more attention comes your way, how are you staying grounded?
I will likely just focus on improving my ability as a producer and DJ, and make myself the best I can possibly be to provide people with the best show I can. I don’t think more popularity will hinder that.
“I was due to support Bushbaby in late 2024, but when they found out I was 15, they took me off the lineup.”
— Ashdunn
Age, Attention & Barriers
The attention around Ashdunn’s age is hard to avoid, but it comes with both opportunity and limitation. While it has made his story stand out, it has also affected what he can access as a DJ.
You’re building strong momentum at an age where most producers are still finding their feet. How do you deal with the challenges that can come with that?
Because of my age, I can’t DJ in clubs and have been denied many times. I was due to support Bushbaby in late 2024, but when they found out I was 15 at the time, they took me off the lineup.
With so much attention around how young you are, how do you feel about that narrative, and where do you want the focus to be?
I appreciate the fact that I am doing this at a young age and that it is a spectacle. However, I also want my music to be appreciated not just because of my age, but mostly for the quality of it.
“It feels a lot more global now.”
— Ashdunn
UK Garage Now
Ashdunn is coming through at a time when UK garage feels bigger and more visible than it has in years. For him, the current moment is exciting because the genre is travelling further than ever and still giving space to the underground, old-school-inspired records.
What excites you most about where UK garage is right now?
It feels a lot more global now. You see IPC, Main Phase, Sammy Virji and Silva Bumpa selling out shows in America, whereas even a few years ago that wouldn’t have happened.
What do you think the current wave of producers is bringing to UKG that feels different from previous generations?
I’m seeing a massive resurgence in a very old-school sound, with the likes of Oldboy, Mark Williams and HARDLINE putting out some great deep cuts and keeping the underground scene alive, while UKG progresses further alongside.
What do you think has driven the resurgence of speed garage over the last few years?
Consistency and uniqueness. Artists like Sammy Virji, MPH and Oppidan are the trailblazers because they have their own sound and have been consistent with it over the years.
“I have an EP that I’m working on with an immense lineup of grime MCs.”
— Ashdunn
Looking Ahead
With his recent run of releases, Ashdunn is already looking to the future. His goals are clear: keep improving, build towards a sustainable career in music, and eventually get onto the biggest stages.
With things moving so fast, how much do you think about the bigger picture of where you want your career to go?
I’d love to get to a point where I can make a living off music, ideally reaching a similar status to IPC or Silva Bumpa.
What’s a dream milestone you’d love to achieve in your career?
I think if I could play the big tent at Reading, that would be amazing, I went last year to see Sammy Virji and it completely transformed my concept of the skill of DJing.
Looking ahead, what can people expect from you next, and is there anything coming up that you can share with us?
I have an EP that I’m working on due to release in January, with an immense lineup of grime MCs such as Jman and Killa P, and will be releasing singles in the months leading up to it.
A huge thank you to Ashdunn for taking the time to speak with us, giving us his insight into his journey so far, his relationship with Garage Shared, and the sound he is continuing to develop.
Make sure to check out his latest single Get Live and keep an eye out for his upcoming projects.
Stream Get Live
Connect with Ashdunn on: Instagram | Spotify | SoundCloud | TikTok