Ed Askew, a reclusive American musician, poet, and artist whose career spanned several decades, has become the subject of renewed interest following his death at age 84. His final album, The Final Painting, is being released posthumously through producer Jerry David DeCicca, who has worked to bring Askew’s music to contemporary audiences.
Askew’s musical journey began in the 1950s when he discovered the tiple, a 10-stringed instrument, as a teenager. Born in Connecticut in 1940, he studied painting at Yale School of Art before relocating to New York, where he performed in folk venues during 1967. His debut album, initially self-titled and later retitled Ask the Unicorn, was released in 1968 by ESP-Disk, a label better known for free jazz artists. A planned follow-up, Little Eyes, was shelved and not released until 2002.
Throughout his life, Askew produced approximately 50 albums through various labels, archival releases, and self-published recordings, primarily self-funded through house painting, art teaching, and periods of welfare assistance. His songwriting is characterized by impressionistic, observational lyrics that draw comparisons to visual artists like Paul Cézanne rather than conventional musical influences. Contemporary artists including Sharon Van Etten, Bill Callahan, and Steve Gunn have collaborated with or championed his work. One of his compositions, Moon in the Mind, appeared on the soundtrack of Netflix’s Baby Reindeer in 2024.
Collaborators note that Askew’s music, particularly from the 1960s, contained openly gay love songs that were notably progressive for their era. Despite this pioneering contribution, his sexuality and artistic significance remained largely unrecognized until recent years. Close friend Jay Pluck observed that many listeners were unaware of Askew’s sexual orientation, despite explicit references in his work.
The Final Painting features vocal contributions from Van Etten and Callahan and is scheduled for release on July 31 through Drag City Records.