(Originally published for Outline.)

Acoustic guitar duo Mikhail Asanovic and Jake Wright – known as Showhawk – have performed their unique interpretations of dance classics at Reading and Leeds, Glastonbury and Isle of Wight festivals, Nick Grimshaw’s Radio 1 Breakfast Show and even a TEDx event in Austria.

Outline’s Frances Butler caught up with The Showhawk Duo ahead of their gig at EPIC on September 26th 2021. 

 Thank you for taking the time to speak with us. First of all, how are you both? How has the past year or so been for you?
 
We’re good, pumped and ready to play some shows after a long break! The last year or so has been tough but we’re still here and feeling like the world needs some more Showhawk.
 
Why did you first start playing music?
 
We we’re both drawn to music from a young age, guess it comes naturally to both of us.
 
What are some of your main influences?
 
We draw our influences from a lot of the great guitar players from all genres. That’s our focus, top class musicianship.
 
You both have quite different musical backgrounds. What led you to start working together?
 
Mutual love of playing guitar.

Where does the ‘Showhawk’ element of your name come from?
 
We got called Shades (Mik) and Mohawk (Jake) by some girls once when we we’re playing for one of the first times ever and that stuck for a week and then became Showhawk.
 
What made you want to interpret electronic music acoustically?
 
We had already tried everything else so it was the next natural step.
 
What are people’s initial reactions to your music like?
 
“I LOVE THAT SONG!!!! It’s all about tuning in to nostalgia.”
 
 
  You’ve performed on Radio 1, at Glastonbury, the Isle of Wight Festival, Boomtown – what is your dream place to play?
 
Glastonbury 2017 was a show we’ll never forget.
 
You have an upcoming gig at Epic Studios in September – how do you feel about playing live shows again?
 
Bring it on.
 
 For your livestream earlier this year you played a few songs from your upcoming album – what are you most excited for people to hear?
 
Prodigy and Vengaboys.
 
What are your plans for the future?
 
Keep on playing shows as long as Boris lets us!

Words: Frances Butler