Alex the Astronaut explained

Alex the Astronaut
Birth Name:Alexandra Lynn
Birth Place:Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Birth Date:3 March 1995
Years Active:2016–present

Alexandra Lynn (born 3 March 1995), known professionally as Alex the Astronaut, is an Australian folk-pop singer-songwriter.

Her debut album The Theory of Absolutely Nothing was released on 21 August 2020, and peaked at number 22 on the ARIA Album's Chart. Her second studio album How to Grow a Sunflower Underwater was released on 22 July 2022.

Lynn has her own record label, Minkowski Records, which was named after the Minkowski diagram.[1]

Early life

Lynn graduated from Pymble Ladies' College in Sydney before studying maths and physics at Long Island University, New York,[2] including a thesis on sonoluminescence,[3] where she played soccer for the LIU Post Pioneers as a forward.[4]

Career

2017–2018: To Whom It May Concern and See You Soon

Lynn released her debut EP To Whom It May Concern as Alex the Astronaut in 2017. The EP features the single "Already Home", which was described by HuffPost Australia as "a melancholy number about a bus ride and ruminations on the mundanities of life".

Lynn's second EP See You Soon featured the single "Not Worth Hiding",[5] and was nominated for a J Award for Unearthed Artist of the Year in 2017.[6]

"Not Worth Hiding" ranked at number 23 on Triple J Hottest 100 and it described as an unofficial anthem for the "Yes" campaign in the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey.[7]

Lynn performed at The Great Escape Festival[8] in Brighton, UK, and at the Primavera Sound Festival in Barcelona.[9] Alex the Astronaut commenced their first national Australian headline tour in November 2018.[10]

2019–2020: The Theory of Absolutely Nothing

Lynn released the single "I Like To Dance" on 8 August 2019. which Brooklyn Vegan described as "tuneful folk-pop to tell a haunting story".[11]

In January 2020, Alex the Astronaut released the single "I Think You're Great" and "Split the Sky" in April. The track references the film franchise, Harry Potter, in the opening line where Lynn sings "I've been colder, watching Harry Potter looking older". Alex The Astronaut tweeted the inspiration upon release, and James and Oliver Phelps, who played the Weasley twins, both retweeted the post.[12]

In May 2020, Lynn announced her album The Theory of Absolutely Nothing, scheduled for release on 21 August 2020, and released a subsequent single titled "Lost".[13]

The Theory of Absolutely Nothing was released on 21 August 2020, with Lynn releasing the single "Caught in the Middle" on the same day.[14] The accompanying music video for the single features an appearance from Lindy Morrison of the Go-Betweens, and shows the two playing tennis and drumming competitively.[15] The Line of Best Fit described her debut album as "a record packed full of vibrant, witty, insightful and heart-rending storytelling, all hooked around rich and tender folk-pop melodies".[16] NME Australia praised the album as a "dynamic, ambitious debut" and gave it a five-star review.[17]

2021–present: How to Grow a Sunflower Underwater

On 19 November 2021, Lynn released "Growing Up"[18] which according to triple j, is her "favourite, most honest song" she has written.[19] Its sequel "Airport" was released in January 2022.[20] On 3 March 2022, Lynn released "Octopus" and announced the release of her second studio album, How to Grow a Sunflower Underwater.[21]

Personal life

Lynn identifies herself as gay.[22] She has been quoted as saying she is "not at a definitive spot" in her gender identity journey.[23] Lynn uses she/they pronouns.[24] Lynn was diagnosed with autism in May 2021.[25]

Musical style and influences

Lynn's music has been described as folk pop and folktronica, and has drawn comparisons to Australian musician Paul Kelly.[26] [27]

Reception

Lynn has been described as one of Australia's "most powerful and important songwriters".[28]

Discography

Studio albums

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"
DetailsPeak chart positions
AUS
[29]
The Theory of Absolutely Nothing 22
How to Grow a Sunflower Underwater 47
[31]

Live albums

List of live albums released, with label and release date shown! Title! Details
The Space Tour Live (At Your Place)
  • Released: 26 April 2019[32]
  • Label: Minkowski
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming

Extended plays

List of EPs, with label and release date shown! Title! Details
To Whom It May Concern
  • Released: 31 March 2017[33]
  • Label: Minkowski Records
  • Formats: LP, digital download, streaming
See You Soon
  • Released: 6 October 2017[34]
  • Label: Minkowski
  • Formats: LP, digital download, streaming

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles, with year released and album details shown! Title! Year! Album
"Already Home"[35] 2016To Whom It May Concern
"Rockstar City"[36] 2017
"Not Worth Hiding"[37] See You Soon
"Waste of Time"[38] 2018
"Happy Song"
[39] [40] 		The Theory of Absolutely Nothing
"I Like to Dance"[41] 2019
"I Think You're Great"[42] 2020
"Split the Sky"[43]
"Lost"
"Banksia"[44]
"Christmas in July"[45]
"Caught in the Middle"[46]
"Growing Up"2021How to Grow a Sunflower Underwater
"Airport"2022
"Octopus"
"Haircut"[47]
"Ride My Bike"[48]
"South London"[49]

As featured artist

List of singles, with year released and album shown! Title! Year! Album
"Dickheads"
[50] 		2020

Notes

Awards and nominations

AIR Awards

The Australian Independent Record Awards (known colloquially as the AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's independent music sector.! |-! scope="row"| 2018| See You Soon| Best Independent Album| | [51] |}

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of the music of Australia. Alex the Astronaut has received one nomination.[52] ! |-| 2020| The Theory of Absolutely Nothing| Breakthrough Artist – Release| | [53] |-| rowspan="2"| 2022| How to Grow a Sunflower Underwater| Best Adult Contemporary Album| | rowspan="2"| [54] |-| Giulia Giannini McGauran for Alex the Astronaut How to Grow a Sunflower Underwater| Best Cover Art| |-|}

J Awards

The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.! |-! scope="row"| 2017| Herself| Unearthed Artist of the Year| | [55] |}

National Live Music Awards

The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) are a broad recognition of Australia's diverse live industry, celebrating the success of the Australian live scene. The awards commenced in 2016.! |-| rowspan="2"| 2018| rowspan="2"| Herself| Best New Act| | rowspan="2"| [56] [57] |-| People's Choice – Best Live Voice of the Year| |}

References

Citations

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Alex the Astronaut announces new single 'Already Home' + live shows . International Music Concepts . 11 January 2017 . 5 November 2017 . 7 November 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171107022154/http://imcmusic.net/2017/01/11/alex-the-astronaut-announces-new-single-already-home-live-shows/ . dead .
  2. Web site: Alex the Astronaut's debut EP cleared for lift off . . 30 March 2017 . 5 November 2017 . Mathieson, Craig. Craig Mathieson.
  3. Web site: Meet Alex The Astronaut, the must-hear science n soccer prodigy . . 22 February 2017 . 5 November 2017 . Newstead, Al.
  4. Web site: Alex Lynn – 2016 Women's Soccer . LIU Post Pioneers . 2016 . 5 November 2017.
  5. Web site: Alex the Astronaut bares all on 'Not Worth Hiding' . . 22 August 2017. Newstead, Al. 22 August 2017 .
  6. Web site: Methyl Ethel, A.B Original lead J Award nominations . Mixdown . 1 November 2017 . 5 November 2017 . Brewster, Will.
  7. Web site: Alex the Astronaut gets Rocket man Sir Elton John's seal of approval . The Courier-Mail . Armstrong . Clare . 13 October 2017 . 5 November 2017.
  8. Web site: Eight more Aussie acts added to UK's The Great Escape . The Music Network . February 2018 . 1 February 2018.
  9. http://music.theaureview.com/reviews/review-primavera-sound-in-barcelona-cements-itself-as-the-worlds-finest-music-festival/ "Review: Primavera Sound in Barcelona cements itself as the world’s finest music festival"
  10. Web site: Fuamoli . Sose . Alex the Astronaut announces the 'Space Tour' for the end of 2018 . triple J . 12 September 2018 . ABC . 12 September 2018.
  11. Web site: 24 New Songs Out Today. 8 August 2019 .
  12. AtheAstronaut. 1245546064880340997. Hey @James_Phelps & @OliverPhelps I'm a musician in isolation in Australia. I'm a mega Harry Potter fan, I've been to HP world while I was on tour in the UK and tomorrow I have a song coming out about watching HP to cope with the world. Would you like to premiere it?. 2020-04-01. 2020-04-07.
  13. Web site: Alex the Astronaut announces long-awaited debut album, 'The Theory of Absolutely Nothing' . . 7 May 2020 . 8 May 2020 . Martin, Josh.
  14. Web site: Alex the Astronaut plays tennis with Lindy Morrison in new music video for 'Caught in the Middle' . . 21 May 2020 . 3 September 2020 . Martin, Josh.
  15. Web site: Alex the Astronaut writes songs to help her (and us) make sense of life's Big Stuff . . 26 August 2020 . 1 September 2020 . Newstead, Al.
  16. Web site: On the Rise: Alex the Astronaut . . 19 August 2020 . 1 September 2020 . Long, Jen.
  17. Web site: Alex the Astronaut – 'The Theory of Absolutely Nothing' review: a debut that's out of this world . . 20 August 2020 . 2 April 2021 . Shutler, Ali.
  18. Web site: Alex The Astronaut Debuts New Music "Growing Up". noise11. 19 November 2021. 20 November 2021.
  19. Web site: Newstead . Al . First Play: Alex The Astronaut hits you where it counts on 'Growing Up' . Triple J . 19 November 2021 . ABC . 19 November 2021.
  20. Web site: Alex the Astronaut goes the distance for love in new single "Airport". NME Australia. 21 January 2022. 21 January 2022.
  21. Web site: Alex The Astronaut Announces Sophomore Album. Music Feeds. 3 March 2022. 5 March 2022.
  22. Web site: Alex the Astronaut: 'I didn't want to tell anyone that I was gay, let alone millions of strangers'. The Guardian. Nguyen. Giselle Au-Nhien. 19 August 2020. 24 July 2022.
  23. Web site: Lynn . Alex . My Shaved Head Makes Me Feel Like Me: Alex The Astronaut On Gender & Queerness . 2023-03-30 . www.refinery29.com . en . “I'm not at a definitive spot in my journey, but what I'm certain about is the discomfort many people have speaking about gender — and the opportunity there is for that to change.”.
  24. Web site: March 27, 2023 . alex.the.astronaut . 2023-03-30 . Alex The Astronaut . en-GB.
  25. Web site: Alex the Astronaut reveals she has autism in first ever stand-up set . . 14 May 2021 . 15 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210514064147/https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/programs/hack/alex-the-astronaut-diagnosed-with-autism/13343508/ . 14 May 2021 . live.
  26. News: Alex The Astronaut is the busiest woman in music . . 25 April 2017 . 5 November 2017 . Butler, Josh .
  27. Web site: Future Is Now: Alex the Astronaut . . 8 February 2017 . 5 November 2017 . Yates, Rod . https://web.archive.org/web/20171107002451/https://rollingstoneaus.com/music/post/future-is-now-alex-the-astronaut/5518/ . 7 November 2017 . dead.
  28. Web site: This Week's Must-Listen Singles: Ruel, Cxloe, Alex the Astronaut + more . Pilerats . 8 August 2019 . 2 April 2021 . Davies, Hayden.
  29. Web site: ARIA Australian Top 50 Albums. Australian Recording Industry Association. 31 August 2020. 29 August 2020.
  30. Web site: Alex the Astronaut: The Theory of Absolutely Nothing – Record Shop . Record Shop . 9 May 2020.
  31. Web site: ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart. Australian Recording Industry Association. 1 August 2022. 29 July 2022.
  32. Web site: The Space Tour Live (At Your Place) by Alex the Astronaut on Apple Music . . 26 April 2019 . 24 January 2020.
  33. Web site: To Whom It May Concern – EP by Alex the Astronaut on Apple Music . . 31 March 2017 . 5 November 2017.
  34. Web site: See You Soon – EP by Alex the Astronaut on Apple Music . . 6 October 2017 . 5 November 2017.
  35. Web site: Already Home – Single by Alex the Astronaut on Apple Music . . 11 November 2016 . 5 November 2017.
  36. Web site: Rockstar City – Single by Alex the Astronaut on Apple Music . . 20 February 2017 . 5 November 2017.
  37. Web site: Alex the Astronaut's coming out jam 'Not Worth Hiding' . Frooty . 6 September 2017 . 5 April 2020 . Chaffey, Jesse.
  38. Web site: Waste of Time – Single by Alex the Astronaut on Apple Music . . 19 July 2018 . 19 July 2018.
  39. Web site: Happy Song – Single by Alex the Astronaut on Apple Music . . 24 October 2018 . 24 October 2018.
  40. Web site: Happy Song (Shed Mix) – Single by Alex the Astronaut on Apple Music . . 7 December 2018 . 5 April 2020.
  41. Web site: First Spin: Alex the Astronaut's 'I Like to Dance' is a complex tale of domestic violence . . 8 August 2019 . 8 August 2019 . Newstead, Al.
  42. Web site: I Think You're Great – Single by Alex the Astronaut on Apple Music . . 21 January 2020 . 24 January 2020.
  43. Web site: Alex the Astronaut shares new song and video 'Split The Sky' . . 2 April 2020 . 5 April 2020 . Martin, Josh.
  44. Web site: Alex the Astronaut shares new music video for 'Banksia' . . 13 June 2020 . 17 June 2020 . Gallagher, Alex.
  45. Web site: Alex the Astronaut shares new track 'Christmas in July' . . 9 July 2020 . 11 July 2020 . Bruce, Jasper.
  46. Web site: Watch Alex the Astronaut perform 'Caught in the Middle' live at Enmore . Happy Mag . 28 August 2020 . 3 September 2020 . Bruce, Jasper.
  47. Web site: New Aus Music Playlist Additions 20/05/22. Music Feeds. 20 May 2022. 21 June 2022.
  48. Web site: Alex the Astronaut – Ride My Bike (Official Video)2. LA Play List. 22 July 2022. 23 July 2022. 23 July 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220723010110/https://laplaylist.es/alex-the-astronaut-ride-my-bike-official-video/. dead.
  49. Web site: Alex The Astronaut shares 'South London' music video, directed by childhood friend. NME. 27 October 2022. 28 October 2022.
  50. Web site: Dickheads (feat. Alex the Astronaut) – Single by Tuka on Apple Music . Apple Music AU . 5 February 2020 . 7 February 2020.
  51. Web site: 2018 AIR Awards Nominees . . 17 April 2018 . 20 August 2020.
  52. Web site: And the 2020 ARIA Awards Go To… . Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) . 3 December 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201126005048/https://www.aria.com.au/awards/news/and-the-2020-aria-award-goes-to/ . 26 November 2020 . live.
  53. Web site: ARIA Awards 2020 Nominees . Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) . 13 October 2020.
  54. Web site: Rüfüs Du Sol Leads 2022 ARIA Awards Nominees (Full List). The Music Network. 12 October 2022. 12 October 2022. Lars Brandle.
  55. Web site: J Awards: 2017 . . 2017 . 15 August 2020.
  56. Web site: NLMA announce 2018 nominees and Live legend . National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) . 2 October 2018 . 5 September 2020.
  57. Web site: Winners of the 2018 NLMA . National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) . December 2018 . 5 September 2020.

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