Astara’s impact on the landscape of Electronic Music is one that is quickly becoming clear; with a reputation that keeps growing as fans around the globe are captivated by his unique approach towards music production, drawn in by his powerful signature sound, Astara is no doubt an exciting talent on the scene. With an impressive collection of releases so far, including a striking collaboration with the Artist Before 95, Astara is surely on a trajectory to climb the list of Producers and DJs to watch out for within Electronic Music today.
Can you remember your earliest memory involving music?
Hi, it’s wonderful to be here with you today!
I think it’s tough to illuminate our earliest memory with music since it’s deeply embedded in our lives from the time we are born, but one that stands out to me is the first time I heard Del Shannon’s “Runaway” in the early 2000s. “Runaway” was number one in the U.S. in 1961 and held the position for four weeks. It’s a quintessential Rock ‘n’ Roll song. It was actually recorded at Bell Sound Studios on West 54th Street, about fifteen blocks away from where I lived and grew up in New York City.
Hearing it for the first time was particularly memorable for me because of Max Crook’s unique keyboard solo in the post-chorus and the way his part complements the lead vocal when Shannon comes in again for the final chorus. It’s just an incredibly unique sound. I’m sure in its day it took people by surprise. Interestingly, for the solo, Crook played an early monophonic synthesizer, which he had invented, known as the Musitron. It’s crazy to think about how far ahead of their time those guys were with the synth hook on that song!
What was the first album you bought?
The first one was Coldplay’s, X&Y, which came out in ‘05. I don’t know if I deserve credit for this because I was so young that my parents had to get the CD for me!
There’s a lot of talk about how many units Coldplay sold, and looking back today, it received some strange reviews from critics… I don’t really care about its critical reception. Songs on that album such as “Talk,” “Speed of Sound” and “Fix You” were the soundtracks of that summer, and more broadly speaking, musical touchstones for my childhood. I still have a deep fondness for each song off that album!
Name 3 of your musical idols from your childhood
The Animals, The Drifters, and Pete Townshend. I have a soft spot for the music of the 1960s!
When did you first start making music?
I started playing piano at a young age, but I had my first introduction to production in 2014. Since then, I’ve done the bulk of my songwriting in Logic Pro.
What was the name of the first track you ever produced?
“Alone Tonight.” That was the first song I wrote and saw through to release. If we’re talking about the first song I ever wrote, you’d have to go into the archives and find a song I made in 2014 called “Limon!” I don’t know if that one that has aged too well haha. Perhaps it’s best kept on the hard drive, but maybe one day I’ll share it!
It’s always good to have reference points so you can remind yourself how much you have developed over time. That understanding of your progress will keep you going through the tough times.
Who would you say are your musical inspirations now?
There are so many inspiring artists; however, two figures stand out for me: John Lennon and David Bowie. I find them inspiring because their artistry extended far beyond their music—they impacted our culture tremendously. If you watch their interviews, you’ll notice they had a way of seeing things that was different from the run-of-the-mill artist. They had certain beliefs about art and the role of an artist in our world, and they were constantly redefining these concepts throughout their careers at each stage. I think they both serve as inspirations for me because they encourage me to think beyond music—especially John in terms of his political activism. Look at the impact of a record like “Give Peace a Chance.” He was really at the bleeding edge in the 1960s, helping to spearhead resistance to the War in Vietnam.
Which of your career achievements to date are you most proud of?
I am most proud of the songs I wrote and produced towards the end of 2023. I think they are my best work yet, and I can’t wait to share them in 2024! In my mind, they perfectly reflect the melodic sound I have been refining over the past couple of years.
What are you hoping to achieve next?
I am eager to release my upcoming singles such as “Walk Through Fire” in 2024 and to schedule some new tour dates! My goal is to keep sharing my vision for Deep House and Melodic Techno and cultivating a rapport with my listeners.
If you hadn’t chosen to pursue music, what career path do you think you would be following now?
That’s a good question. I am fascinated by flight and love the perspective you get from the sky. I’ve also wanted to travel to remote parts of the world—the best way to do that is by air, so I think I would have liked to be involved in aviation. Although I think we’d all agree it would be nice to be able to skip the airports and layovers!
Finally, if you could talk to your younger self now, what would you say?
I would emphasize finding balance between your work and your personal life. I think the notion that you can’t have balance in your life (when you apply yourself to something) is a myth. The lack of balance usually comes from a lack of discipline and conviction. There are certain things we should make priorities in our life: family, rest, recovery, new areas of exploration in our work… If we don’t allow ourselves to set these priorities, then we’re headed for burn-out. I think my younger self would have benefited from that knowledge.
As he displays a passion and love for music, one that extends far beyond the boundaries of his own art, Astara appears as a devoted and motivated force that is sure to continue gaining popularity and status within the realm of Electronic Music. So, as he promises more music in 2024, we cannot wait to hear more from this talented Producer soon.
