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. Their second EP, Homecoming, was released in 2015.

History

ASTR formed in 2013 after meeting at a yoga class. Producer Adam Pallin was previously one half of Little Jackie, who had a top-twenty hit with "The World Should Revolve Around Me" in the UK Singles Chart in 2008. 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. 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.

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.

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

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

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

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