Asta
Red Alert! Asta is a superstar in the making and there is no doubt that 2017 will be her year. Already Asta has received plenty of Triple J airplay for funk-pop gem Shine from the EP of the same name which is released on February 17. On top of that a massive Australian tour has been announced covering all corners of the country. Asta even with a busy schedule completes a quick Q&A for Hi Fi Way: The Pop Chronicles.
Is it an exciting time building up to the release of the “EP”?
Super exciting. It’s been a long time coming and can’t wait to let her fly out!
What is the story behind the new single Shine?
Its uber cheesy I guess, it’s about failing and trying again. Growing up and just believing in yourself!
Have you been encouraged by the response so far on Triple J?
I definitely feel like a super star that’s for sure. Getting played on radio is still so exciting for me. I don’t think it will ever get old. I still have a little squeal in the car when they play it haha.
What was your reaction when you heard your song on the radio for the first time?
It sort of felt like an achievement. Like woah! I’m like an actual artist right now. It still blows me out. It’s a moment I remember so clearly like it was yesterday.
Are you looking forward to this tour coming up?
I really am. It’s a big one so I really want to put in all my energy and focus hard. I finally have enough songs to play a full set so I’m really looking forward to showing my fans what I got!
Do you feel any pressure being described as an emerging talent?
I definitely feel my own pressures because I know I can keep getting better and better. My dreams are too big sometimes to really make sense but my fans are the ones pushing me along everyday. I owe it to them and myself to keep going hard at it.
On the flip side, is it hard to keep a lid on the excitement with what lays ahead in 2017?
For sure. I feel like this is going to be a great year for many artists. The energy waves are high! I can feel it.
Have you always written songs? Was it always your intention to be a singer-songwriter?
I think the first time I sung into a microphone as a kid I was hooked. I remember my parents buying us ‘Sing Star’ and that’s when it got real serious. I was super competitive and my friends started to get upset! No one wanted to battle with me anymore haha!
What would you be doing if you weren’t playing music?
Oh god! I never think about that question because I don’t want to have a plan B. This is it for me. If it doesn’t work out I’d like to be a back-up singer for JLO or start a rock band with some girl friends. It would have to be something to do with music.
How would you describe your music?
Mid day sun. It’s hot and sweaty but then it cools off a bit into late arvo in a bar with some champagne on ice. It’s fun but sophisticated. Usually dancing is involved.
Are there any significant influences that have shaped your music?
Not one thing really. There are many singers I look up to but at the end of the day I just do what feels natural and the things that affect me I write about. The main theme for me is freedom of love and freedom of expression and creating a positive and empowering atmosphere for people. I’m never influenced by heart-break although there is one track on the EP Not Your Girl which may be as sad as I get. I’m really just a human writing about having fun, experimenting and over coming my own battles and being straight up.
Was the process of writing and recording your debut as hard/difficult as you thought?
For the past couple of years I had been in so many song writing sessions I didn’t really have a clue who I was or what I wanted, then meeting Yeo it was like ohhh yeah this feels right. I was actually working on the music elements finally, which is something I missed for a really long time. It was such a great feeling and I’m very happy he made the time to work with me.
Are there a lot of lessons you can take from this in to the next recording experience?
To trust your feelings no matter what and to always have snacks in the room.
How was it touring with Ellie Goulding?
It seemed too crazy. They were huge shows and it all went so fast! Her fans were so supportive it really blew me away. I just wish I could do it all over again!
Did you get to hang out and share some time with her?
Briefly at the after party in Melbourne which was a pretty big night of celebration as that was the last show of the world tour! She seemed really tired as you can imagine after doing 60 shows so I didn’t want to be that annoying fan girl haha. Her band were really fun to hang out with and I was lucky enough to jam out with her keyboardist!
Are you looking to expand your horizons and tour overseas? Where would you focus?
I would love to tour overseas but being an independent artist without a label sometimes makes it tricky. You have to pay for everything so I’m hoping I’ll be able to save up and travel. It’s been such a big dream of mine to go to Europe/ UK/ New York/ LA / France !
What’s the plan beyond the tour?
Who knows what will happen. I’d love to support an artist touring overseas. Know anyone? For now I’m just taking it day by day.
ASTA SHINE EP TOUR
SUPPORTED BY
triple j, Music Feeds and Select Music
All tickets at ASTAWORLD.COM.AU
Fri 17 – Feb Jack Rabbit Slims, Perth
Sat 18 Feb – Hyperfest, Midland, WA
Thu 23 Feb – Anu Bar, Canberra
Fri 24 Feb – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
Sat 25 Feb – Small Ballroom, Newcastle
Thu 2 Mar – Uni Bar, Wollongong
Fri 3 Mar – Fat Controller, Adelaide
Sat 4 Mar – The Toff, Melbourne
Thu 9 Mar – Sol Bar, Maroochydore
Fri 10 Mar – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay
Sat 11 Mar – The Foundry, Brisbane
Sun 12 Mar – Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta
Fri 17 Mar – Republic Bar, Hobart
Sat 18 Mar – Club 54, Launceston