ASTR

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ASTR
OriginNew York City, New York, United States
GenresElectronic, R&B
Years active2013 (2013)–present
LabelsNeon Gold Records, Tommy Boy Records
MembersZoe Silverman
Adam Pallin
Websitewww.astr.tv

ASTR are an American electronic R&B duo consisting of vocalist Zoe Silverman and producer Adam Pallin. Their debut EP, Varsity, was named the twentieth best album of 2014 by Spin.[1] Their second EP, Homecoming, was released in 2015.[2]

History

ASTR formed in 2013 after meeting at a yoga class.[3][4] Producer Adam Pallin was previously one half of Little Jackie alongside Imani Coppola,[5] who had a top-twenty hit with "The World Should Revolve Around Me" in the UK Singles Chart in 2008.[6] Zoe Silverman is the daughter of Tom Silverman, the founder of Tommy Boy Records.[5] 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.[7][8][9] 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.[10]

Their debut single "Operate" was released through Tommy Boy Records in May 2013, followed by a second single "Razor".[3][8] The duo also played several sets at CMJ Music Marathon in the autumn.[3] 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.[7][11][12]

In 2014 ASTR released their debut six-track EP, Varsity, on 21 January via Neon Gold Records.[13] Spin later named it their twentieth best album of 2014.[1] 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.[2] The track "Activate Me" was produced by Darkchild.[19] Silverman described Homecoming as "nostalgia pop" with lyrical themes around "industry sexism".[5] ASTR toured nationally in the month of the release.[20] A remix of Carly Rae Jepsen's "Run Away With Me" was released in the summer of 2015,[21] and a standalone single featuring Mick Jenkins titled "It's Over" was premiered by Billboard in September.[22] ASTR also performed at Governors Ball in June 2015.[23]

ASTR released a new single, "Bleeding Love", in March 2016.[24]

External links

References

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