ASTR explained

ASTR
Landscape:yes
Origin:New York City, New York, United States
Genre:Electronic, R&B
Years Active:–present
Label:Neon Gold Records, Tommy Boy Records
Current Members:Zoe Silverman
Past Members:Adam Pallin

ASTR is the solo project of American electronic R&B vocalist Zoe Silverman, originally formed with producer Adam Pallin.[1] Their debut EP, Varsity, was named the twentieth best album of 2014 by Spin. Their second EP, Homecoming, was released in 2015.

History

ASTR formed in 2013 after meeting at a yoga class.[2] [3] Producer Adam Pallin was previously one half of Little Jackie alongside Imani Coppola,[4] who had a top-twenty hit with "The World Should Revolve Around Me" in the UK Singles Chart in 2008.[5] Zoe Silverman is the daughter of Tom Silverman, the founder of Tommy Boy Records. In their earliest press coverage, ASTR were described as "mysterious" and left unnamed, and then briefly referred to only as Zoe ASTR and Adam ASTR.[6] [7] [8] A 2013 interview with The Village Voice revealed their identities, explaining that the duo had not wanted to disclose their real names in order to "distance themselves" from their backgrounds.[9]

Their debut single "Operate" was released through Tommy Boy Records in May 2013, followed by a second single "Razor". The duo also played several sets at CMJ Music Marathon in the autumn. ASTR later released a cover of Drake's "Hold On, We're Going Home", which was a breakthrough hit on Hype Machine and compared favourably to the original.[10] [11]

In 2014 ASTR released their debut six-track EP, Varsity, on 21 January via Neon Gold Records.[12] Spin later named it their twentieth best album of 2014.[13] ASTR performed at SXSW for the first time in March 2014,[14] and were praised as an "aural threat" by USA Today in May.[15] ASTR also created a new song, "Hold On Me", exclusively for DJ Annie Mac's blog,[16] and released a remix of Charli XCX's "Boom Clap" in the summer.[17] ASTR were the first act to sign for the new independent record label 300 Entertainment.[18]

ASTR released their second EP, Homecoming, on November 6, 2015.[19] The track "Activate Me" was produced by Darkchild.[20] Silverman described Homecoming as "nostalgia pop" with lyrical themes around "industry sexism". ASTR toured nationally in the month of the release.[21] A remix of Carly Rae Jepsen's "Run Away With Me" was released in the summer of 2015,[22] and a standalone single featuring Mick Jenkins titled "It's Over" was premiered by Billboard in September.[23] ASTR also performed at Governors Ball in June 2015.[24]

ASTR released a new single, "Bleeding Love", in March 2016.[25]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ASTR's Zoe Silverman Talks Rebuilding Duo as a Solo Act, Debuts 'In Your Eyes' Video: Exclusive . September 21, 2018 . . December 29, 2020.
  2. Collar. Matt. Biography: ASTR. Billboard. Rovi. 13 July 2016.
  3. News: Kaplan. Ilana. This Modern Love: ASTR. 13 July 2016. Noisey. Vice Media. 24 January 2014.
  4. News: Carley. Brennan. ASTR Talk Uptempo 'Homecoming' EP and Meeting Drake for the First Time. 13 July 2016. Spin. 27 January 2015.
  5. Web site: Official Singles Chart Top 100: 31 August 2008 - 06 September 2008. UK Singles Chart. Official Charts Company. 13 July 2016.
  6. News: Holmlund. Marcus. Discovery: ASTR. 13 July 2016. Interview Magazine. 23 October 2013.
  7. News: Cooper. Duncan. Video: ASTR, "Operate". 13 July 2016. The Fader. 7 May 2013.
  8. News: Morrison. John. ASTR - 'Operate' [Track of the Day]]. 13 July 2016. The 405. 2 May 2013.
  9. News: Chafin. Chris. ASTR Want You to Forget About Their Past. 13 July 2016. The Village Voice. 18 December 2013.
  10. News: Lee. Joyce Jude. Interview: ASTR. 13 July 2016. Neon Tommy. 24 February 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20160815031047/http://www.neontommy.com/news/2014/02/interview-ASTR. 15 August 2016. dead.
  11. News: Mize. Chelsea. 13 Killer Drake Covers That (Almost) Sound Better Than The Original. 13 July 2016. Bustle. 19 August 2015.
  12. News: Cooper. Duncan. Stream ASTR's Varsity EP. 13 July 2016. The Fader. 16 January 2014.
  13. News: 50 Best Albums of 2014: 20. ASTR - Varsity (Neon Gold Records). 13 July 2016. Spin. 20 November 2014.
  14. News: De La Rue. Sarah. Best Of Electronic Music at SXSW 2014. 13 July 2016. Festy. 2014.
  15. News: Lopez. Korina. Life is sweet at Sweetlife Festival: 8 highlights. 13 July 2016. USA Today. 12 May 2014.
  16. News: Annie Mac's Free Music Monday: ASTR - Part Of Me. 13 July 2016. Annie Mac. 17 March 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20160820103858/http://anniemacpresents.com/blog.php?id=650. 20 August 2016. dead.
  17. News: Stern. Bradley. ASTR Puts A Chilly Spin On Charli XCX's "Boom Clap": Listen. 13 July 2016. Idolator. Gawker Media. 8 July 2014.
  18. Stutz. Colin. Todd Moscowitz Teases 300 Entertainment, First Signees Perform at Pre-Grammys Celebration. 13 July 2016. Billboard. 25 January 2014.
  19. Web site: ASTR - Homecoming. AllMusic. 13 July 2016.
  20. News: Carley. Brennan. SPIN Pop Report. 13 July 2016. Spin. 6 November 2015.
  21. News: Golden. Zara. Stream ASTR's Sophomore EP, Homecoming. 13 July 2016. The Fader. 2 November 2015.
  22. News: Carley. Brennan. Carly Rae Jepsen Links With ASTR on Ceaselessly Swirling 'Run Away With Me' Remix. 13 July 2016. Spin. 12 August 2015.
  23. Ashagre. Aggi. ASTR Premieres 'It's Over': Exclusive. 13 July 2016. Billboard. 9 September 2015.
  24. Governors Ball 2015: Most Memorable Moments From Day 2. 13 July 2016. Billboard. 7 June 2015.
  25. News: Carley. Brennan. ASTR's New 'Bleeding Love' Video Demonstrates Why They Should Be Superstars Already. 13 July 2016. Spin. 2 March 2016.

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