Astro (Chilean band)
| Company type | Indie rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2008 in Santiago de Chile, Chile |
| Headquarters | Santiago de Chile , Chile |
| Products | Music albums, singles, EPs |
Number of employees | 4 |
Astro is an indie rock ensemble originating from Santiago de Chile, Chile, established in 2008.
Origins and Early Years (2008-2009)
Andrés Nusser and Octavio Caviares first connected at Chile's Escuela Moderna de Música y Danza. The remaining members became involved through Santiago’s DJ community. The group came together when Nusser agreed to perform at a ski resort in southern Chile in exchange for accommodation but lacked a band, prompting him to enlist Caviares along with Nicolás Arancibia and Daniel Varas, both from the duo known as Moustache!. Their initial musical inspirations included artists such as Peter Gabriel, David Bowie, Genesis, and MGMT.
Astro launched their debut EP, Le Disc de Astrou, in 2009. The following year, they appeared at the Mexican festival Vive Latino.
Astro Album Era (2011-2013)
The band’s first full-length album, titled Astro, was released in 2011. Entirely performed in Spanish, it attracted recognition from critics in the United States, with NPR Music featuring it in their First Listen segment during 2012. Jasmine Garsd described the album as "infectiously cheery, lighthearted and danceable," drawing parallels between Astro and American groups like MGMT, Animal Collective, and Passion Pit.
In 2013, Astro took part in prominent festivals such as Lollapalooza Chicago, Primavera Sound, and Mysteryland. Their song "Panda" was featured on the soundtrack of the well-known EA Sports video game FIFA 13.
Andrés Nusser’s Exit (2016)
In May 2016, lead singer Andrés Nusser declared his departure from the band, which resulted in an indefinite hiatus following their tour in Mexico. Despite this pause, Astro released a new single in 2020.
Band Members
- Andrés Nusser – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards
- Octavio Caviares – drums and percussion
- Nicolás Arancibia (Lego Moustache) – bass guitar, keyboards, percussion
- Daniel Varas (Zeta Moustache) – keyboards and percussion
Discography
Studio Albums
- Astro (2011)
- Chicos de la luz (2015)
Extended Plays
- Le disc de Astrou (2009)
Singles
- "Maestro distorsión" (2009)
- "Ciervos" (2012)
- "Colombo" (2012)
- "Panda" (2013)
- "Hawaii" (2013)
- "Manglares" (2014)
- "Caribbean" (2015)
- "Druida" (2015)
- "Warrior" (2016)