Astrels is a fairly new act on the Sheffield music scene, yet their music sounds incredibly accomplished already, if their debut EP Metropolis Psychosis EP is anything to go by! It’s great to hear fantastic new talent like this, and I can’t wait to hear what they come up with next time around! Find out more about the band below!
By Jane Howkins
You recently released a new EP titled Metropolis Psychosis EP. What can you tell us about the record?
This is our debut EP and it’s a perfect introduction into the Astrels universe and what we’re about. It’s set 100 years in the future and we coined the term, Metropolis Psychosis, as a condition we all suffer from, which describes the feelings, tensions and paranoia that living in a decaying, dying inner city like Sheffield can do to the human condition. It’s also about how Astrels plan to build a star ship and fly far, far away from this flat planet.
How has the reception to the Metropolis Psychosis EP been so far, and where can the track be purchased?
It’s been fantastic, much more than we could’ve hoped for, really. What’s really pleasing is that its been so well received globally and not just in the UK, so we’re super buzzed up right now. You can find it on most digital platforms.
Do you have any singles planned for release from the EP?
Yes, Neon Messiah is our dystopian soundtrack to films like Bladerunner, with a dark yet euphoric synth wave sound. Metropolis Psychosis is what this song is describing. Starship Motherchild is how we get our wonky bass, interstellar groove on with intergalactic head nods all the way. There are a couple of fab remixes from Rtf88 from Olive/Nightmares on Wax and Dean Honer from I Monster that people can dig into.
You’ve also just released an album titled The Velvet Sea and the Afterglow. What can you tell us about the record?
During the Covid lockdown of 2020, life seemed kind of post-apocalyptic, where conspiracies theories and mistrust ruled. Joe Newman and I had the idea of writing a collection songs, over zoom sessions and file sharing, about shining a light on the people in the shadows, building a craft called the Starship Motherchild, jumping off planet earth and flying off into outer space in search of a more enlightened existence. We unearthed some hidden nuggets, sprinkled some space dust on ’em and created some newer gems and The Velvet Sea and the Afterglow was born. We see it as an ‘old school concept album’ with a start, middle and an end, hopefully taking the listener on an interstellar journey of discovery. Each song sounds like a soundtrack to a dystopian, sci-fi series touching on themes of faith, love, betrayal and death.
Have you started writing for your next album/EP, or is it too soon?
Yes we started the follow up album a while back because Joe and I are always writing and poking around in the studio, playing with new and vintage toys, looking for THAT sound. We’re a bit ADHD in that regard I guess.
Are you looking forward to the holiday season? What does a typical Christmas look like in your household?
Yes, I am because I’m knackered from the gigging, moving and shaking we’ve recently been doing. I quite like Christmas with all those mince pies, egg nog and Guinness. I’ve got kids so it’s great being in a busy house with the family around having fun. I also get to watch Elf which I love so that’s a win.
Your music has a wonderful synth-pop vibe. What/who are you most influenced by? What have you been listening to recently?
Our music is influenced by a love of cult sci-fi such as Bladerunner and Stranger Things, retro video games, graphic comics, Kubrick, Afro Futurism, Orwell, Sheffield/French Synth Wave, SunRa and P Funk. I listen to a lot of French electronica like Justice and Air. Radiohead, The The and 80s Herbie Hancock are never too far away and at the top of my current playlist are S.A.U.L.T.
Do you have anything else exciting coming up over the next few months?
We’re looking at getting some videos made which may involve some interesting animation to tell the story of the album. Also we have some very cool collaborations and remixes in the pipeline.
Do you have any tour dates lined up for the UK?
We’ve been approached by some very cool booking agents so the hope is for us to be on a few festival stages in 2024.
Any last words for the fans?
We’d like to thank our fans for coming to our gigs, grabbing some Astrels Merch, getting on board our Starship Motherchild and giving us the fuel to blast off into the unknown on this mad ride together. We won’t let you down.