POTION

Patterns EP coming February 23rd

Produced by Daoud Anthony @daoudmakesmusic 
Written by ASTU
Recorded at AfterOurs Studios 
Mixed/Mastered by Gabriel Masterson at 25th St Recording

Photography by Pablo Circa
Styled by Grace Kibreab

Patterns

Staycation/Runaway

Produced by Daoud Anthony @daoudmakesmusic 
Written by ASTU
Featuring the Hallelujahs
Recorded at ASTU home studio
Mixed/Mastered by Gabriel Masterson at 25th St Recording

ASTU, Eritrean R&B/soul singer-songwriter out of Oakland, CA, discusses sex, love and all the complications that follow in her premiere EP-Patterns. Honest, raw lyrics are lifted by synth-filled rhythms and soulful melodies. ASTU captures the modern romance in all its vulnerability and volatility. “‘Patterns’ is my attempt to dissect the stories my generation repeats and the lens we view love through, in hopes to break the hollow patterns that hold us back from it.” Written by ASTU and produced by Daoud Anthony, who is known for his current work with up and coming Chicago-rapper SABA, Patterns is promising to  be one of the most anticipated releases of 2018.

Love Lessons

ASTU, Eritrean R&B/soul singer-songwriter out of Oakland, CA, discusses sex, love and all the complications that follow in her premiere EP-Patterns. Honest, raw lyrics are lifted by synth-filled rhythms and soulful melodies. ASTU captures the modern romance in all its vulnerability and volatility. “‘Patterns’ is my attempt to dissect the stories my generation repeats and the lens we view love through, in hopes to break the hollow patterns that hold us back from it.” Written by ASTU and produced by Daoud Anthony, who is known for his current work with up and coming Chicago-rapper SABA, Patterns is promising to  be one of the most anticipated releases of 2018.

Ride Or Die (intro)

Produced by Chris Keys and Daoud Anthony @daoudmakesmusic
Written by ASTU
Recorded at AfterOurs Studios 
Mixed/Mastered by Gabriel Masterson at 25th St Recording

ASTU, Eritrean R&B/soul singer-songwriter out of Oakland, CA, discusses sex, love and all the complications that follow in her premiere EP-Patterns. Honest, raw lyrics are lifted by synth-filled rhythms and soulful melodies. ASTU captures the modern romance in all its vulnerability and volatility. “‘Patterns’ is my attempt to dissect the stories my generation repeats and the lens we view love through, in hopes to break the hollow patterns that hold us back from it.” Written by ASTU and produced by Daoud Anthony, who is known for his current work with up and coming Chicago-rapper SABA, Patterns is promising to  be one of the most anticipated releases of 2018.

Roots

Produced by Daoud Anthony @daoudmakesmusic 
Written by ASTU
Recorded at AfterOurs Studios 
Mixed/Mastered by Gabriel Masterson at 25th St Recording

ASTU, Eritrean R&B/soul singer-songwriter out of Oakland, CA, discusses sex, love and all the complications that follow in her premiere EP-Patterns. Honest, raw lyrics are lifted by synth-filled rhythms and soulful melodies. ASTU captures the modern romance in all its vulnerability and volatility. “‘Patterns’ is my attempt to dissect the stories my generation repeats and the lens we view love through, in hopes to break the hollow patterns that hold us back from it.” Written by ASTU and produced by Daoud Anthony, who is known for his current work with up and coming Chicago-rapper SABA, Patterns is promising to  be one of the most anticipated releases of 2018.

Rub On Ma Booty (intro)

Produced by Daoud Anthony @daoudmakesmusic 
Written by ASTU
Recorded at ASTU's home studio
Mixed/Mastered by Gabriel Masterson at 25th St Recording

ASTU, Eritrean R&B/soul singer-songwriter out of Oakland, CA, discusses sex, love and all the complications that follow in her premiere EP-Patterns. Honest, raw lyrics are lifted by synth-filled rhythms and soulful melodies. ASTU captures the modern romance in all its vulnerability and volatility. “‘Patterns’ is my attempt to dissect the stories my generation repeats and the lens we view love through, in hopes to break the hollow patterns that hold us back from it.” Written by ASTU and produced by Daoud Anthony, who is known for his current work with up and coming Chicago-rapper SABA, Patterns is promising to  be one of the most anticipated releases of 2018.

So Good (interlude)

Paperheart

Communicate (intro)

Poptart Ass Love (intro)

Son Of California

Get Money (intro)

Written & Performed by ASTU
Producer - Rob Finucane, Daoud 
Engineer - Jeffrey Kolhede, Daoud, Rob Finucane
Mixed by Jeffrey Kolhede http://www.jeffkolhede.com/
Vocal Co-Producer - Daoud, ASTU, Jeffrey Kolhede
Mastered by Will Borza https://www.borzamastering.com/
Label - Boyish Records
Recorded at Zoo Labs, 25th St Studios & Flatspot East
https://www.zoolabs.org/
https://www.25thstreetrecording.com/
Photography by Lara Kaur https://www.larakaur.com/

G 4 U

Written by: ASTU
Producers: Tofu Jack, Daoud
Assistant producer: Gabe Warshaw
Engineer/Mixed by: Jeffrey Kolhede
Master: Will Borza
Recorded at: 25th St Recording in Oakland, CA

Reckless

ALTARS - ASTU’s debut album - builds upon her 2018 EP Patterns - taking us from cognizance of old systems of thought to the returning of self that comes only from looking within and into the dark, where the light is.

The Oakland based R&B/Soul artist takes us on her intimate journey of coming to terms with her mental health (recently being diagnosed Bipolar II), exploring themes of self-harm, death, and the departure from generational beliefs on tracks like Pressure, Rollin, Bargains, and Manic.

She gives us repose and celebrates with us on tracks like Waking, Reckless, and Show Me Your Love, where she expresses her hopes of finding love, the shelter that can only be found in our friends, and the determination to do you.

ALTARS features appearances from Empire’s Rexx Life Raj, up and coming LA rapper/singer Dreebo, and Brainfeeder’s Salami Rose Joe Louis.

As a queer, black femme, ASTU struggles with, and in the end accepts, the paradoxes of living in a world that was not built for her.  Through this she finds the space to thrive. From haunting ballads to carefree, soulful dance tracks, ALTARS asks us to make altars of our bodies and honor our personal truths in order to find the freedom we all seek.

Source Of Her (feat. Salami Rose Joe Louis)

Simple Ones (feat. Dreebo)

Show Me Your Love (feat. Rexx Life Raj)

Manic

Bargains

Rollin

Late

Seams

Love Me Like

Waking

Pressure

Blue

If Frank Ocean and Sade had a baby, ASTU would be it. A blend of retro-soul, nineties R&B pastiche, and new wave-inspired synth-pop. With a knack for turning irresistible grooves into unhurried bangers, ASTU refuses to pledge allegiance to a single vibe. The Oakland artist left life as a minister and found herself in R&B, expressing her sexuality, identity and life experience in her music. The depth and complexity of her buttery alto on Patterns, her debut project, has garnered critical acclaim from Afropunk, Earmilk, KQED and more. ASTU’s debut album - ALTARS - builds upon Patterns and asks us to make altars of our bodies and honor our personal truths in order to find the freedom we all seek. From silky, slow jams and haunting ballads to carefree, soulful dance tracks, ASTU keeps us wanting more.

Variance Magazine describes her sound as "...kin to some of Solange’s recent material with the whispering confidence of Kelela..." while KQED raves, "...a particularly insightful and self-assured debut, sure to count as one of the Bay Area's most notable releases this year."

Website: www.astumusic.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astu.music

ASTU

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