HOW DO YOU MAKE THE
BEST ALBUM OF 2015? Astrix knows how. “Across The Sands” is the album that
everyone should own. It has everything from the acoustic “Artistic Angel” to
the loud,bold and heavy “Give It Up”. These are just two of the eleven
beautiful songs on the album. We caught up with Astrix to chat about the new
album and also an exclusive announcement of her 2016 UK tour “Too Fast for
Love”.
“Across The Sands”
is one of the biggest albums in 2015, if not the biggest. What were your
inspirations to create this fantastic album?
“Where do I start? I
just thought one day ‘I want to write an album’. So I did just that. A lot of
my inspiration came from when I was younger. As a pretty reckless child I used
my experiences with drugs and drink to write. I remember a time when I was
about 16 and I went to see The Wombats right after “A guide to Love, Loss and
Desperation” was released, me and my friends got stupidly drunk before the gig.
It was one of the sweatiest gigs I’d been to. There was beer and piss being
lobbed everywhere and so many people crowd surfing and from that moment on I
knew that I wanted to write music and perform.
In terms of bands
and artists who are your biggest influences?
I listen to so many
different bands and artists it’s impossible to pick. I grew up with The Smiths
and The Cure because my dad used to be obsessed with them so they are really
important in my life. The Smiths really give my inspiration for my writing
because Morrissey used to write brilliant lyrics and he is just such a key
musician in my life. When writing this album I’ve been listening to a lot of
Royal Blood, Peace, Slaves and Mac Demarco. They are all bloody fantastic and I
just really love what they do. They are all so unique and different and it’s
wonderful to know that they do what they love.
Any festivals lined
up for this year?
Well, I don’t know if
I’m allowed to say but yes, yes I do. A couple actually. Obviously not
headlining because I’m not that good but yeah got a couple.
Speaking of
festivals, have you been to any?
Have I been to
festivals? Of course I’ve been to festivals. Reading 2007. Red Hot Chili
Peppers, who I’ve heard are headlining again next year. I’m quite excited
actually. We went to Leeds in 2009 which was just the best thing ever. I
remember being at the barrier for the Arctic Monkeys which was insane! And Ian
Brown who is just a rock legend so that was pretty spectacular too. I went to
Latitude a couple of times which was cool. They are completely different
festivals so Latitude is a lot more chill then Reading and Leeds.
With the release of
the new album is there going to be a tour?
That’s like asking,
will the plant grow without water. Yes there will be a tour. I haven’t toured
on my own before, only ever with other bands so I’m very excited to be touring
solo.
Can you tell us who
your support act will be?
If I told you I’d have
to kill you. No I can’t tell you. Only because I don’t know who will support.
Where are you
playing when you tour?
The usual for musicians
to be honest. Manchester, London, Birmingham and that. Dates and exact
locations will be released January 2016 some time but I don’t know what date.
What do you do in
your down time?
Erm, I don’t have a lot
of time to myself actually but when I do I usually go out and drink with my old
friends. I also like to listen to my records when I go home which is extremely
rare so yeah.
Thank you for coming
in to talk to me. Good luck on the tour next year.
Thank you. Bye.
this has a confident mode of address. As this is a serious music magazine I would suggest a little more specific on guitars, amps, pedals etc that she uses. The first paragraph would need following up - e.g. what did she like about the sweaty concert? It doesn't sound that nice, was it the energy, the collectivism the throwing out of normal behaviour- i think an interviewer would pursue that more not go straight on to the next question.
ReplyDeletere the festivals- how old is she meant to be, 2007 was 8 years ago, she looks quite young to me to be going to a festival then.
she says she isn't 'good' enough to be headlining- most musicians think they are better than anyone else and deserve to be headlining but they just don't have the recognition, right management or fan support yet so I would also change that bit.
Would you really have the 'thank you, bye' bit at the end? Look at existing articles,they don't tend to do that.