“Listening to Bison Rouge, one can’t help but hear a collage of influences. Grzesik can certainly give Joanna Newsome a run for her whimsy, she possesses the old-world charm and quirky dramatics of Regina Spector and the cello-punk instincts of Bonfire Madigan, and her voice vacillates between the throaty alto of Amanda Palmer and the ethereal soprano of Maria Callas. Simply put, she’s got a little bit of everything.”- Portland Monthly “I’ve never heard anything quite like Bison Rouge, the new solo EP from Portland Cello Project and Vagabond Opera cellist Ashia Grzesik. The captivating opening track “Country Will Do Her Well” sounds like lieder updated for the 21st century, and it’s followed by the handsome two-step of “Rip Up Your Stitch,” then “Broken Crowns,” which sounds like a conservatory string quartet slumming with Appalachian folk before Grzesik meanders in with a vocal that sends the whole thing into outer space. I haven’t even mentioned the song that she sings in Polish. The EP’s instrumentation is almost exclusively strings and accordion, with plenty of pizzicatos alongside hints of gypsy and cabaret. Grzesik’s music is a strange and beautiful thing to listen to, and tonight’s release show—which will include belly dancers as well—should provide ample evidence of her talent and ambition.” -Ned Lannemann, Portland Mercury “…Utilising her full vocal range and putting in a virtuoso performance on cello, accompanied only by accordian. Is this folk? It’s mixed with classical, but yes it’s folk, most certainly: Grzesik sang of her Polish Grandmother’s numerous ploys to discourage her family from moving away from home; ranged through intimate tales, both emotional & mature, tossed in jaunty escapades; and sang in English and Polish. …. I should mention her voice - a sumptuous but delicate soprano which scales, sometimes violently, but to good effect, to a forceful almost ‘rock’ vocal.” Zaph Mann, OPB Harnessing her rousing vocals and whimsical, gutsy cello lines, Ashia Grzesik creates songs with elements of cabaret, folk, pop, and dark americana. Her songs and writing reflect longing for her Slavic roots with Chopineasque and gypsy musings and the blues, rock, and open harmonies of the New World. She has performed with Cirque du Soliel's "O" production, received a Drammy, 2010, for her original music for Third Rail Theater's, "The Gray Sisters", and performs extensively solo as well as with The Portland Cello Project and Vagabond Opera.  What else could become of a Polish immigrant with a whiskey lovin’ blues singer father and a classical music ballet devoted mother, but a cello score writing, skinny leggin burlesqueing, opera misfit, wide eyed feet on the floor mesh of cello and song?