Music has the ability to create bonds between people that can last a lifetime. After recognizing a shared love for old school hip-hop, singer Zoe Silverman and producer Adam Pallin began writing music together eventually becoming ASTR.
ASTR released its first EP, “Varsity,” in January of this year. The six-track peak into its musical aesthetic was boosted by lead single “Operate,” which had already received great reviews and then remixed by Chainsmokers.
The duo has embarked on a festival tour series to further promote itself and “Varsity” including a stop at Voodoo.
ASTR agreed that playing in New Orleans is much different than playing in its home state of New York. Silverman explained the difference wasn’t necessarily better or worse in favor of one city, but she appreciates the focus on music that comes from a New Orleans crowd.
“In New York, some people care about the music, but in New Orleans it’s all about the music,” Silverman said. “As long as you play an instrument here, people respect your talent.”
While on its festival tour, ASTR hopes to capitalize on the environment’s opportunity to reach new fans. There are more people who haven’t heard of ASTR at festivals than there are at its solo shows. Because of this, weekend long events such as Voodoo offer an entirely new potential audience for bands such as ASTR.
“People are just walking by and wander to your stage,” Pallin said. “Next thing they know they like your music and that’s the purpose of festivals.”
ASTR’s chance to meet other artists and share tips is another benefit of festivals. The duo hates to call it networking, but agreed it’s a part of festivals that can’t be forgotten.
The band has one primary goal with its music — making people dance. From Pallin’s laptop comes much of the band’s tracks and as long as the device works, the duo expects fans to have a good time.
Instead of being a normal pop duo that focuses on making radio hits, ASTR takes its time curating every song from its melody to its structure. Pallin and Silverman bounce ideas off of each other often to decide which song possibilities to pursue and which to leave behind. Silverman calls themselves “slow writers” who like so many different styles that they can’t simply walk into a studio and record a song in a day.
“We plant a lot of seeds and just wait to see which ones grow,” Pallin said.
ASTR is already excited about its next project and getting new music out to fans. Silverman said it feels like “Varsity” was released so long ago but realizes the band is still new. Still, the duo is working to avoid being placed in the category of one-hit wonders.
“People think we’re going to be ‘Operate’ forever, which is fair, but we still plan to grow as artists and make better songs,” Silverman said.