by Meaghan Paulosky
Zoe Silverman and Adam Pallin never intended to become your new favorite “electronic R&B” act. They met through Pallin’s college friend/Silverman’s yoga instructor and simply planned to write. Sure enough, they quickly found they had something very, very cool to take on the road.
They formally united last year under the name ASTR, describing Astor Place, where they first recorded in New York City, and Asteria, Greek goddess of the stars. Silverman shares that their cosmically dark songs are “influenced by the streets [of NYC], the movement, even the seasons…” It’s only fitting that their dynamic name pays homage to both their home and their sound.
As she further explains, the original plan was for her to perform the songs they made as singer and producer/multi-instrumentalist. “We come with our own concepts and ideas then build from there…we navigate them together.” But as a pair that writes together, they realized they needed to perform together too.
So at the 2013 CMJ Music Marathon, all of ASTR came onstage and shared their rendition of Drake’s ”Hold On We’re Going Home”, as well as a few originals. And as good as their own songs are, this cover is the perfect sampling of their enviable ability to combine hip hop and electronic in a way that likely has Drake jealous.
Though, their skill shouldn’t come as a total surprise. Each half comes from an impressive background – Silverman, the daughter of a hip hop record label executive and a songwriter, and Pallin, a professional music producer and composer. Their respective genetic makeup and résumé means there has to be some sort of baseline talent between them. What ASTR is able to do with that talent is their oh-so-entrancing special sauce.
In ways other duos aspire to, Silverman and Pallin use their blended personalities to write and perform. “When I’m [feeling down], he’s humorous and ready to balance me out and vice versa,” says Silverman. This chemistry, along with their unique but complementary backgrounds, equates to a masterful “mesh of darkness and cheeky fun” that demands to be heard.
To make this easer, ASTR dropped their first EP in January of this year. The album, called Varsity, includes their acclaimed Drake cover and five originals, most notably “Operate” and “Blue Hawaii”.
Later this week the video for “Blue Hawaii” is scheduled for release, much to Silverman’s own eager anticipation. “It’s the most visual of our videos and shows a lot of our personality.” With green screens and a pool in Los Angeles, ASTR can’t wait to unveil their take “tropical darkness.”
To witness the “tropical explosion of fun” for yourself, catch them June 12th at Underground Arts. It’s their first-ever show in Philly and just the second on their Crystal Arcade Tour with co-headliners and friends, The Knocks.
It’s still early, but as promising electronic R&B forerunners, ASTR is already “excited to perform for everyone, everywhere eventually.”
