Stephen Astral has an album coming out call.... "A Different World" Read His Q&A and Review of "Sha Na Na"!

This is a Q&A from Stephen Astral about him  and what he does. At the end of this Q&A there will be a short review of one of his singles on this album. So, here  is what Stephen Astral has to say!

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF. HOW YOU GOT STARTED IN MUSIC AND WHEN?

I became interested in music a the very early age of 5. we used to go to a local Baptist church and I always liked the hymns best of all.
Later in the early 1960's we heard British groups playing on television. I loved The Kinks, The Hollies, The Beatles, Dave Clark Five
In the early s 1970's I started a band and we played in local pubs. as the months rolled by I started writing and recording my music on a tape machine.
At one stage I wrote to record labels like Swansong and Decca. Meanwhile I had begun to play in a couple of clubs.


WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BAND?

I have several favorite bands but the two the influence me most are Genesis and Pink Floyd.


WHAT INFLUENCED YOU TO BE IN THE GENRE YOU ARE IN? PLEASE TELL THE READERS WHAT IT IS THAT YOU DO, MEANING WHAT STYLE OF MUSIC YOU DO.

I have always been fond of experimental music notably Prog Rock. My music is more described as Melodic Rock.
I write stories in my music mostly and deliver them in a classic rock style. I aimed from the start to be instantly recognizable and I
think I have achieved that.


TELL US ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING ALBUM, "A DIFFERENT WORLD", WHATS THE STORY BEHIND IT?

The main idea behind the album was a nostalgic view of my early teens around 1967.
I had heard Sgt Pepper and it was just so different to everything else around I wanted to create something based on The Summer of Love.
There are several tracks reflecting that idea. But then I made a song about today's world and asking the question Where are we heading?
The led me to create the album name. Meaning it was a different world back in the 60's and now we live in a different world.

TELL THE READERS WHEN THE RELEASE DATE WILL BE OF "A DIFFERENT WORLD".

I am expecting the album to be available on bandcamp sometime in May '23 but the first single will be out on Spotify and YouTube in March '23

IS THERE A MESSAGE YOU ARE CONVEYING IN THIS ALBUM, LIKE BEING IN ANOTHER WORLD ETC.

No message other than Nostalgia is good but remember to enjoy your life in today's world

AND LASTLY, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY TO THE READERS?

This album has taken the best part of 6 months to complete.
All songs are written by Stephen W Foster except 'The Narcissist' written by Kim J Russo and Stephen W Foster
Arrangement and instruments Stephen W Foster
Drums Groove Agent by Steinberg, Kicks and snares Stephen W Foster
The mixing was done in my Recording Studio (SWFrecords) coached by Adam Whittakar with a few pointers and tips from Lucas Michalski
Mastering by Bandlab.

Links:
linktr.ee/swfoster
astralrock.bandcamp.com


Stephen Astral let me do a review of one of his single coming out.. "Sha Na Na".

So lets get to it!

The Review... "Sha Na Na"

This track starts out with a guitar hum that leads into Stephen playing the guitar, and singing..."In A Way Every Day Feels The Same" while the Drums and organ is playing the counter melody. What Stephen is singing about is true in a way in our everyday lives. Stephen Astral has a sound that can not be duplicated. It is very refreshing to hear something different from the normal. Stephens tracks takes you on a journey of sound. I just absolutely love his sound it has me tapping my toes. Readers this is a must listen too! Take a journey of sound with Stephen Astral you will not regret it.


Q&A/Review by: SchizoFranic
Link: https://linktr.ee/SchizoFranic

Island Asylum - Tomorrow Is Another Day

An incredibly original tune with a plethora of surprises throughout. I'm not sure if there is any other band out there that sounds exactly like this. Island Asylum is a true original. Great melodies, great lyrics, fantastic guitars and a brilliant arrangement. Those of you who like their music progressive, check this out. You'll love it!

Listen here:

https://open.spotify.com/track/5JyQ3oURkWsbapxwxfSXqr?si=9855b7ec93604d1b

News Post/review by Tom Tikka

www.tomtikka.com

It's Those Men

Both of Those Men Answer Our Questions

Those Men are a UK based prog art pop group. They are both quit insane, which is why I love them so much. Kindred spirits. You can find them here https://thosemen.co.uk

If you had to name one song from any genre that really speaks to you, which one would it be and why?

Mark
'The Rain Song' by Led Zep as it is musically perfect with poetic moving lyrics

Martin
'I am the Walrus' by The Beatles. Its ability to become almost visual, its groove and a voice that comes from another place.

Are you a Mulder or Scully? Do you believe aliens have visited planet earth and if so what do you think they think about mankind?

Mark
I'd probably be more an Inspector Clouseau.

Martin
Mulder. Logic has its place but is by no means at all the total picture. Science and the 'other stuff' should rent a cottage away somewhere and have a good old chat.

Mark
I think they visited us a few thousand years ago and probably thought we were a bit primitive so they might have given us a few tips.

Martin
I think that we will all be witness to this soon. 'They've found stars in the hole in the sun'. It feels as if everything is moving towards an unblanketing of these 'alien' questions . A bit like when Graham Chapman used to come into the Python sketches and stop them , saying it was getting too silly. It depends how 'logical' They are. They may admire our ability to be illogical. Opposites attract and all that.

What was the happiest day of your life and why?

Mark
26th July 1982. I bought my first bass.

Martin
I think I was about 15. I remember one day feeling everything opening up. As if a painting I knew well suddenly expanded and presented itself with a myriad more nuances. That day fed into all the others after such as daughter birth and partner joy.

If “God” (whatever your idea is on that) were stood before you now, what one question would you ask him/her and why?

Mark
If there is a God I'd ask it if it did create humans then why do we never learn fully from our mistakes?

Martin
When are we returning to purity please God? I'd like to know so I can spend my time up until then living out of it.

As an expressive artist in the music industry, how does the state of the planet make you feel?

Mark
As a non driver and passionate recycler I'm very angry and worried about the state of the planet.

Martin
There is so much to write about resulting from the confusions and delights we all create. The interplays and fluxing of emotions and moods seem to manifest in some of the most peculiar ways. Every day something I or we do never ceases to amaze me. Mother Earth is the playground we act it out in. We need to keep an eye on that .

Do you think as a person of some influence that there is a duty on us to help influence humanity for the better?

Mark
Yes, absolutely and at every opportunity.

Martin
Self reflection is the way forward for me. Get your own house in order. A life long task but one worth starting at any time. When you can see ,feel and witness your own faults there seems to be a positively pervasive influence springing out of this. Not sanctimonious or lecturing. Just happening.

If you were stood before the leaders of the world, what would you say to them?

Mark
Please type Thomas Malthus into Wikipedia

Martin
Do you have a look inside yourself before you make your work decisions? I would also ask them what the power and responsibility feels like in their work life.

And finally my last question is in fact one written by Freddie Mercury in the song “Is This the World We Created”?

Mark
We didn't create it but we seem to be very good at hastening its and therefore our own demise.

Martin
Yes in terms of how we live out our destinies but no in terms of the Earth's physical soul. We are puny in comparison to that.

Those Men have a new album out on 22nd April! 

Pre-Save it here https://orcd.co/thosemen_fecundness