Astara is a talent on the rise within the Electronic Music realm; as he continues to impress genre fans with a unique signature sound, presenting a style that blends between Deep House and elements of Melodic Techno, Astara is a name to keep an eye on. With an exciting future ahead, we are thrilled to have this talented Producer joining us this week to share more about his journey into music, introducing us to his ever-passionate world of creativity.
Hi there, Astara! How’s it going?
I’m doing great, thanks for asking! Just had a nice weekend watching the Super Bowl with friends, and now I’m currently in the midst of preparing some new songs that I’ll be releasing this spring!
To start with, can you tell us, what do you like to do to relax?
On a day-to-day basis, I love immersing myself in the world of sound without the immediate pressure of creating something. I really like messing with digital synthesizers and plugins. I’m currently delving into the nuances of the Model 84 from Softube, which has been really fun. Beyond sound design, I also like to explore music history and genres such as ‘world music.’ I often listen to vinyl records from the far corners of the world, now digitized into WAV, or more often, FLAC file formats. While the process collectors go through to find these vinyls and digitize them might be technically complex and arduous, for me, the listening experience is pure enjoyment. It’s essentially armchair travelling through time. I’ll listen to Rock n’ Roll from Hong Kong in the 1960s, scores by the Italian composer Piero Umiliani, Angolan Jazz, really whatever piques my interest! This journey through music history is something I like to do for a couple hours a week when I can find the time. It keeps my perspective fresh and often sparks new ideas, helping me to blend the old with the new in my music production.
What’s your go-to takeaway?
I love to cook, so my go-to takeaway is always something I can’t whip up at home. I’d say my favorite has to be sushi. It’s one of those culinary specialties I have no competence in creating haha. There’s a restaurant near me that serves exceptional sushi, and it’s my absolute go-to when I want to treat myself to something special.
Can you describe your perfect day?
My perfect day would start early. I’d wake up with the sun, get some direct sunlight alongside a workout, followed by a coffee run to get some caffeine. With a good start to the day, I’d head to the studio for a few hours of focused work on my music, diving into some creative tools such as my synths and working with some ideas I have been crafting. Then, taking a break at lunch, I like to enjoy a walk by Centennial Park in Nashville, allowing myself to unwind for a bit and find some inspiration in my surroundings. After lunch and a walk, it’s back to the studio for the afternoon, immersing myself further in my projects. And then hopefully, wrapping things up by the early evening, I have the luxury of spending the evening making a nice meal for myself and my girlfriend and getting some reading in. That’s my perfect way to relax and connect after a productive day.
What’s your favourite film?
My favorite film is Run Lola Run. It’s a fascinating thriller about a young woman (the heroine) who is trying to save her boyfriend from death at the hands of a crime boss. The film is structured in a kind of game sequence where she repeats the day over and over again until she can correct fate. In a sense, it is like Groundhog’s Day, but it has its own twists and its own philosophy. It explores the themes of free will vs determinism, set against the backdrop of a Berlin that’s adjusting to life after the Fall of the Wall. You’ve got graffiti-laden train stations, squatters, rogue criminals, and our hero who is fighting against the clock to save her beloved. The entire drama is also elevated by a fantastic Techno soundtrack. But beyond its visual and auditory appeal, what truly makes ‘Run Lola Run’ stand out to me is its optimistic message. Essentially, by sheer force of will—in the pursuit of high virtues such as love—we can bend time and destiny. It’s a film that really challenges the viewer to consider the power of our choices and how they lead to (or influence) myriad outcomes in our lives. This combination of thoughtful themes, innovative storytelling, and a setting that captures a unique moment in history makes it a standout film.
Do you support any sports teams?
Growing up, we always had games on—baseball, American football, etc.—and when we could—we’d get out to a game at Yankee Stadium or Fenway. My loyalties lie with the New England sports franchises since my dad’s originally from Massachusetts: the Red Sox, Patriots, and Celtics. But I also follow Premier League soccer and the Champions League quite closely. The international flavor, the high level of competition, and the rich history of clubs in both of these competitions offer a fascinating contrast to American sports.
Do you have any pets?
No, although I would love to have a dog someday! The nature of my work, especially with the travel, makes it difficult. It wouldn’t be fair to the little guy to frequently leave them behind for work. However, I’m hopeful that in the future, my circumstances will allow for me to strike the right balance so I can get a dog!
Do you enjoy travelling? Where was the last place you visited?
I absolutely love travelling; it plays a significant role in my life, both personally and professionally. The last place I visited was Los Angeles over Christmas break. I spent some time in the beach towns of the South Bay area. The shops and restaurants there are great. But as always, what made the visit quite special is the weather you experience in winter—warmth and sunlight—a definite contrast to the typical weather we get everywhere else! So, just being out there this winter was great—especially since the South Bay has these beautiful hills and the proximity to the ocean creates a stunning backdrop for any visit.
Would you say you’re a morning person or a night owl?
I love the peace and creativity that comes with waking up early, around 4:30 or 5:00am. It’s a magical time for me to be productive and enjoy the quiet before the world wakes up. However, given the nature of House and Techno events, which go late into the night, sticking to this early routine isn’t always feasible. On occasions when work piles up, and evenings get busy, I adapt by sleeping in to compensate for the late nights. In an ideal world, I’d consistently get up early, but the reality of my profession means my schedule has to be flexible. But I can’t complain, these are the sacrifices we make for what we love.
Do you have any interesting hobbies outside of music?
One of my growing interests outside of music is the art of storytelling, as well as regional history and artistry. I studied documentary filmmaking in college, so one day, I would love to spend some time exploring the United States and documenting a lot of its oral history—from Native American tribal legends to Appalachian folk tales. What’s more, I’m fascinated by the processes of artists in fields different from my own, such as installation art (sculpting, painting). Seeing these artists’ works offers a wealth of inspiration. I intend to explore this interest further through long-form content on my YouTube channel in the future, tying in some of the things I learned in school with my own capabilities in media production. I think it’s going to be an exciting way for me to merge my interest in history and culture with my passion for music and building entrepreneurial ventures. So, watch this space in the coming years!
We thank Astara for opening up and sharing more about his facets aside from music, from his love of the culinary arts, to filmmaking and his interest for other art fields makes of his own project a perfect blend of the things that inspire him and motivate him to create powerful music that reflects his rich interests and background. Be sure to follow him across social media to remain updated on his latest releases and projects.
