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ASTR
Background information
OriginNew York City, New York, United States
GenresElectronic, R&B
Years active2013 (2013)–present
LabelsNeon Gold Records, Tommy Boy Records
MembersZoe Silverman
Past membersAdam 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.[2] Their second EP, Homecoming, was released in 2015.[3]

History

[edit]

ASTR formed in 2013 after meeting at a yoga class.[4][5] Producer Adam Pallin was previously one half of Little Jackie alongside Imani Coppola,[6] who had a top-twenty hit with "The World Should Revolve Around Me" in the UK Singles Chart in 2008.[7] Zoe Silverman is the daughter of Tom Silverman, the founder of Tommy Boy Records.[6] 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.[8][9][10] 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.[11]

Their debut single "Operate" was released through Tommy Boy Records in May 2013, followed by a second single "Razor".[4][9] The duo also played several sets at CMJ Music Marathon in the autumn.[4] 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.[8][12][13]

In 2014 ASTR released their debut six-track EP, Varsity, on 21 January via Neon Gold Records.[14] Spin later named it their twentieth best album of 2014.[2] ASTR performed at SXSW for the first time in March 2014,[15] and were praised as an "aural threat" by USA Today in May.[16] ASTR also created a new song, "Hold On Me", exclusively for DJ Annie Mac's blog,[17] and released a remix of Charli XCX's "Boom Clap" in the summer.[18] ASTR were the first act to sign for the new independent record label 300 Entertainment.[19]

ASTR released their second EP, Homecoming, on November 6, 2015.[3] The track "Activate Me" was produced by Darkchild.[20] Silverman described Homecoming as "nostalgia pop" with lyrical themes around "industry sexism".[6] 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]

References

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