The five-song digital EP features three new songs as well as alternative versions of “the mtn song” and “driveway meLody,” which were featured on Baxter’s acclaimed full-length debut, feathers & fishHooks.

Named after the town in Israel where Baxter spent a pivotal time of his life, ashkeLon was recorded live in one day, at East Nashville’s Casino studio. Of the title, Baxter comments, “ashkeLon is where I started writing songs and where I have returned numerous times. For me, that was where this all began. I thought it very fitting to name this group of songs ashkeLon for that reason. It’s a very special place. It’s my little green garden in the desert.” He goes on to explain, “the creation of ashkeLon was inspired by every live show I have played since the time feathers & fishHooks was released. The songs turned into something else on the road…so I figured it’d be nice to go into the studio with my buds and see what would happen. We’d run through each song a time or two, and then track it three times. Pick the best take and move on to the next. That’s it. I think it’s a nice stepping-stone from feathers & fishHooks—showing a little bit more—and leaving a high ceiling for the second album. I love recording live. You can hear everything…the foot taps, the wood bench creaking, my buddy Dave (who filmed the entire session) tripping on the mic cable in the middle of a song…all of that makes for a incredibly unique listening experience. That’s the goal. No sugar. No salt. Just the song.”