Ekko Astral | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Washington, D.C. |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2021-present |
| Labels | Topshelf Records |
| Members | Jael Holzman Liam Hughes Guinevere Tully Sam Elmore Miri Tyler |
Ekko Astral are a punk rock band based in Washington, D.C. The group play a blend of noise rock and pop-punk, referred to by the band as "mascara mosh pit music". Their first album, Pink Balloons, was released on Topshelf Records in 2024.
History edit
Ekko Astral started in 2021, after longtime friends Jael Holzman and Liam Hughes graduated from the University of Vermont together and moved to Washington, D.C. Their debut EP, Quartz, was recorded for Hughes' master's thesis at American University, where he was studying audio technology. Before the recording of Quartz, Holzman came out as a trans woman. In recording the EP, Holzman wanted to provide an outlet for expressing the emotions she felt coming to terms with her transgender identity during the COVID-19 pandemic.[1][2][3]
Bassist and percussionist Miri Tyler was recruited from Washington, D.C.'s DIY music scene for the recording of Quartz. Following the recording and release of Quartz, Tyler was made the group's full-time drummer, and was joined by fellow trans D.C. indie musician Guinevere Tully on bass. The band's lineup was finalized with the addition of rhythm guitarist Sam Elmore, a childhood friend of Holzman's. The group's first release as a quintet was the live EP The Quartz Farewell, recorded at Comet Ping Pong in 2023.
Ekko Astral announced their signing to Topshelf Records in 2024; their full-length debut Pink Balloons was released through the label on April 17th. Its release was preceded by that of singles "Baethoven", "Devorah", and "On Brand", which received enthusiastic profiles in outlets including NPR and Stereogum.
Also in 2024, it was announced the group would be supporting Idles on tour for three dates in the Southern United States, as well as opening for Ted Leo and the Pharmacists on the first leg of their Shake the Sheets 20th anniversary tour.[4]
Style and influences edit
Ekko Astral's name was derived from a lyric in the Death Grips song "Come Up And Get Me", the opening track from their album No Love Deep Web.[3]
TODO: more about the mascara moshpit
Describing the band's sound in opposition to those of other punk influences, Holzman has said that Ekko Astral is "just Charli XCX and Sophie with loud guitars".[5] The lyrics of Pink Balloons have been compared to those of Arctic Monkeys;[2] Holzman has named their album Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino as an influence. Ekko Astral has also drawn influence from Jeff Rosenstock,[4] Gilla Band, Idles, and Ditz, alongside other trans-fronted punk acts such as Lambrini Girls,[3] Crush Fund, and Anita Velveeta.[6]
Members edit
Current members
- Jael Holzman (2021-present) - vocals, guitar
- Liam Hughes (2021-present) - lead guitar
- Miri Tyler (2022-present) - drums (previously: bass guitar)
- Guinevere Tully (2022-present) - bass guitar, vocals
- Sam Elmore (2022-present) - rhythm guitar
Past members
- Stephen Yaeger (2022) - drums
Discography edit
Studio albums edit
- Pink Balloons (2024)
EPs edit
Studio
- Quartz (2022)
Live
- The Quartz Farewell (2023)
Works cited edit
- ^ Parnell, Annie (May 7, 2024). "Ekko Astral: The Best of What's Next". Paste. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ a b Corcoran, Nina (April 17, 2024). "Ekko Astral: pink balloons Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ a b c Farrell, Margaret (March 27, 2024). "Band To Watch: Ekko Astral". Stereogum. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ a b Sacher, Andrew (April 17, 2024). "Ekko Astral on how Arctic Monkeys, Charli XCX, Jeff Rosenstock & more influenced their debut LP". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ @ekkoastral (April 17, 2024). "people compare us to all these punk bands when really it's just charli xcx and sophie with loud guitars" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Karon, Giliann (April 18, 2024). "Inside the Mascara Mosh Pit: A Conversation with Ekko Astral". Post-Trash. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
External links edit
- Ekko Astral on Bandcamp
- Ekko Astral on Topshelf Records
Category:Punk rock groups from Washington, D.C. Category:American post-hardcore musical groups Category:American pop punk groups Category:American noise rock music groups Category:Musical groups established in 2021 Category:Queercore groups Category:Transgender-related music