ASTR

ASTR is a duo that lives, works and writes music in New York City. Multi-instrumentalist Adam, and vocalist Zoe-Anna met three years ago in a Manhattan yoga class. What they discovered was a shared musical and artistic sensibility informed by cinema noire, Miami Vice and urban dreamscapes. ASTR was soon born. “The name felt androgynous and cosmic,” says Zoe. 

Zoe was born and raised in New York. Inspired by her family's love of music, Zoe always knew singing was her calling. Signed by a major record label fresh out of high school, Zoe tired of the formulated sounds she was being boxed into. She took a hiatus from music to explore the world via spirituality and Yoga. It was during that time period that she met Adam, and found the unification of music and Yoga via Astr. Adam lives in Brooklyn by way of Boston. A former raver, he played in several high school bands he describes as "painfully bad," including one named “Jimmy Wang.” Adam plays anything with keys, preferably vintage synths, and also guitar and bass. A recovering vinyl addict, he has a penchant for 60's / 70's cinema score and "loves" Disco.

ASTR captures fleeting sensations: Winning big and cashing out. Leaving behind life's responsibilities. Wasting away on a tropical island. Paradise lost. Songwriting: Adam and Zoe write songs together exclusively. Generally, Adam makes a beat and outlines the vibe. Zoe then begins to color in the lines with kitschy bits and musical phrasing that evolve into fully formed songs. “You have to really be in sync when you’re songwriting together,” Zoe says. Adam and Zoe write constantly. At any given time they are working on five or six songs. "We jump around from idea to idea all the time. Maybe its artistic ADD" says Adam.

ASTR’s new single “OPERATE" has opened the world to their hybrid sound sometimes referred to as "Noire & B" They’ve also released a homemade video that is an ode to the psycho-thriller film genre. The song was written in a single studio session, a day they both describe as foggy. "Some days you get together and everything just clicks" says Zoe. Style: ASTR is a band of discerning tastes “We’re really picky when it comes to our ideas,” says Adam. “We’re picky as fuck about everything. Clothes, food, health, everything,” says Zoe. They’re also self-described perfectionists. 

Inspirations: Janet Jackson, Disco, Portishead, Aaliyah, Kendrick Lamar, the movie Boogie Nights, Joseph Campbell and the cosmos

On Stage: ASTR first started performing around New York City clubs. Picture small and dodgy sweat boxes that inevitably had terrible sound systems. They’ve also played Tammany Hall, Webster Hall, Knitting Factory and Ella.

For now, it’s just Adam and Zoe doing all things ASTR, a couple of kids making music. An ASTR EP is in the works… stay tuned.