CAR ASTOR someone you should know
Interview conducted on October 21, 2018
by Dan Locke
Dan Locke:How would you describe your music so fans can get to know you?
CAR ASTOR: I would describe it as it blend of alternative pop and rock, while always maintaining a very melodic and lyrically singer/songwriter structure. I think there’s definitely a fun darkness to my produced tracks, but I always want to be able to play them stripped down on a guitar or piano and still have them hold up simply because they are good songs.
What was your musical upbringing like?
No one in my family is musical at all! My parents were huge music lovers though, so listening to music and buying albums was a constant thing I was surrounded by growing up. I had an urge to start playing all of these different instruments and my parents were super supportive always.
Who were your musical influences growing up?
My first obsessions were Avril Lavigne and Paramore, No Doubt and my parents were listening to a ton of Coldplay, Radiohead, Fleetwood Mac and Neil Young. So those artists all really led the trajectory for me to get heavily into a lot of others bands growing up.
You were a drummer at 13. How did you start to get into the keyboard, guitar and vocals? Would you consider yourself a multi-
instrumentalist?
After learning the drums I just had an urge to play every other instrument! I think I enjoy the challenge and the work that goes into it, and I had all of these songs in my head that I wanted to physically be heard and played. I would definitely consider myself one – on my days off I just rotate between playing all of them.
I saw the multi-track video of you performing “Monster”. Any plans to do more videos like this?
Oh my gosh!!! What! That’s so old and this is bizarre because I haven’t watched that in years and just pulled it up a few days ago. I would honestly love to do a video like this, I think after I put out a few more tracks I could choose one and do it live like that.
Who are some of the bands you’ve played with over the years?
Some of my favorite shows have been with July Talk, Nina Diaz, JGRGRY, Calum Scott, Blue October.
You have owned a studio since 2014. How did you go about starting the studio and how has it grown since then?
So technically it’s sort of a bedroom studio, so I don’t think I can fully say that it’s a “recording studio” haha. I’m a firm believer that if you have a vision and the talent, you can make an amazing recording with very very few tools. I recorded my first EP on my own as well as a ton of songwriting, demos, and my more acoustic folk tracks. I learned how to use Logic when I was younger and since then have been making music that way.
Who are some memorable acts that have recorded in your studio?
CAR ASTOR
I’ve been working with some amazing local artists, the best/hardest/most rewarding experience so far was working with my friend Kirsten Maxwell. We did her EP together and both learned so much throughout the process.
Why did you pick your artist name? First SEE and then Car Astor?
I chose to SEE was I was young and 17 years old because I love the simplicity and I thought it felt nice and was easy to say. Definitely was notttt easy to google, however! Eventually, after growing so much these past few years, I really felt like I was at a new place in my career and life and wanted to stop hiding myself as much. People call me Car in real life and it just felt correct to make the switch over to something more authentically me!
Being a resident of the NYC area, what are some of your favorite hangouts?
I’ll be honest and say that I totally love to not go out and having crazy nights constantly, but generally, if I’m out, I’ll be at shows and friends gigs/ open mics.
How was your tour with Nina Diaz?
It was amazing! I’m really grateful that she gave me my first real touring opportunity and watching her perform really helped me as an artist too. I had my manager and my best friend with me the whole time, and we had such a blast and constantly talk about all of the different memories we made that trip.
What influenced the music and lyrics in your new song “Girlfriend”? What was the writing process like?
I was really falling in love with someone who was in a relationship, and we both had this very intense and crazy connection that happened immediately, so it got very confusing for both of us. It was such an odd space to be in because we so clearly wanted to act a certain way but couldn’t, and were kind of constantly testing the limits of being friendly or very flirty. At one point, I got very hurt and angry over the situation because I felt like I was being used, so this song came out of that time! The music and lyrics I wrote in probably 2 hours with Kirsten Maxwell – we’ve been co-writing a lot of my new songs.
I see you are doing something not many artists are doing, using Facebook to it fullest. You have launched a video program through Facebook which shares videos that are over 30 minutes long. What made you want to start this, and what do you hope to do with it going forward?
So I started using Facebook a lot last year to do live streams because I had a lot of fans in different areas of the world and wasn’t able to travel to them and perform! It was great and such a cool way to connect. Since then, Instagram launched Live so I’ve been using that more often now.
Any plans to tour this upcoming year?
I would love to! Nothing yet but that is the goal to get started on that after I release a bit more music.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I would just like to be happy and feel successful in my career. I think as long as I stay true to myself and work hard, that will happen.
Thank you for have us come into your life.
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