Brian Asha is a Canadian recording artist and music producer. His diverse recordings feature sounds in dance music, alt rock and retro pop; delivered with his unique, smokey vocal style. As a DJ he is known for his eclectic playlists that create a perfect vibe for rooftops, lounges and events.

Biography | About Brian Asha

Brian Asha’s story kicks off on Queen Street West in 1980s Toronto, a scene that launched acts like Cowboy Junkies, Blue Rodeo, Barenaked Ladies and more recently Broken Social Scene and Metric.

At 18, he dived into the city’s alt music venues, sharpening his sound in local bands, moonlighting as a club DJ, and spinning Rockabilly and World Music on college radio stations. Before long, he was producing indie music videos for MuchMusic.

Walking past a music-store window, Brian spotted a Teac 4-track and an 808 drum machine. He snapped them up, started tinkering, and two weeks later, he released his first cassette single, "MX Missiles Under Attack". It went top twenty on local college radio.

Brian’s roots rewind through the Caribbean, East Africa and the UK, so it was only natural that his sound fused rock, reggae, and dance music into a sonic cocktail. Roll the tape on “Liquid Soul Explosion,” his 1986 single on YouTube, if you want a taste of his early boundary-pushing sound.

In the 90's, Brian Asha helped pioneer Canada's underground rave scene in Toronto and Montreal, one of the biggest in North America. His DJ cooperative, House of Euphoria, was profiled in Canadian media and on CNN as part of the emerging cyberpunk movement.

An early adopter of digital, Brian was quick to champion the potential of the internet. For his work in Montreal in the 90s, Brian is recognized as a Canadian internet pioneer.

Since that time, Brian has worked extensively in online media as a Creative Director and media producer under his professional name, E. Brian Johnson. He took a start-up public on the ASX in 2016.

During COVID, Brian shifted gears again. Working with Silicon Valley performance coach Angie DeGeronimo, he co-wrote the Little Wonders Playbook, a guide to health and happiness through simple, daily habits. You can check out their YouTube show: He Said/She Said: Gen X Survival Guide.

After years of counselling young people in the justice system and tackling his own road to recovery, Brian is building a new brand that puts positive masculinity front and centre.

It kicks off with I'M A MAN, an EP of remixes crafted in collaboration with Grammy-winning producer Philip Larsen (see also Kylie Minogue, Katy Perry, Soft Cell). If you’re searching for proof that humour, vulnerability and strength can share the same spotlight, I'M A MAN is it.

Brian’s story defies a straight line. Now 60, he proves you don’t have to settle, no matter where you are in life. Reinvention isn’t just possible—it’s essential.

Think big, start small.
Do more of what makes you happy.

- Brian Asha -

Music

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Brian Asha is an independent recording artist whose music can be found on multiple platforms around the world. Click the logos below to listen to Brian Asha.
You'll find his complete discography on YouTube and Soundcloud.

YouTube Video

Listen to Brian Asha's complete discography including rarities
and unreleased tracks

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LISTEN TO BRIAN ASHA'S COMPLETE DISCOGRAPHY
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Brian Asha | Club Mix

Brian Asha | Beautiful (It's You) EP

Brian Asha | Retro Pop Mix

Brian Asha | Best Of 80's & 90's

Cover art for "One Star Falls". Photo credit: Robin Hall	Brian's first band The Upsetters at Rossall School, about 1979.
Rockabilly Brian on sax - about 1982.	Buying records on Queen Street West, Toronto in the mid 1980s.
Early gig poster for King Culture with Donovan Black, mid 1980s.	Attempting dreamy. Publicity shot, Montreal, late 1980s.
Artwork for gig poster - mid 1990s.	At Studio Morin Heights, Quebec, recording Lady Queen Street, 1998.
Rocking the house in Toronto with Silver Machine.	Playing piano for Lina in Montreal, 1998.
Publicity shot for She's My Ride, 2010.	On stage with Allister Thompson and Craig Collett of Silver Machine, Toronto, 2012.
Performing with Silver Machine at The Drake Hotel, Toronto.	Reunited backstage with Donovan Black, Sven and DJ Rude, after a show in Toronto, 2010.
Listening to studio playback, Toronto, 2014.	Performing I'm A Man with friends on stage, Toronto in 2013.
After the show with Melodic Yoza, Toronto.	Studio Selfie! Recording "One Star Falls" with Jordan Perry at the controls, Vancouver 2017.
DJ Brian Asha spins reggae for life!	Chillin' like a villain...