Photo: Ilena Frey
Astari Nite crosses the River Styx between the shores of gothic rock and post-punk as they explore themes of death, love and the occult. The Miami band’s latest offering, “Ashtray Ballet”, examines the delicate tightrope of mental health and the spirals of the human mind.
With a sound akin to Clan of Xymox and The Psychedelic Furs, Astari Nite carries the torch for modern gothic rock with this soulful dirge. The track is described by the band as “waves of regret, a formal apology, doused with playing on the heartstrings of two people in bloom. Time always finds a way to slip us by as memories tend to fade, so strangely. Much like the winds blow, I am always reminded of the strangest girl that made me frown, upside down.”
The sweeping, atmospheric synths accentuate the deep emotional purge this song delivers; it is a song borne of difficulty and a need for hope.
“Ashtray Ballet couldn’t have entered my life at a more cynical time,” says Mychael, the crooning vocalist for Astari Nite. “Last autumn, I was dazzling in my own pity party for what seemed like a lifetime sentence – and to my surprise, on a sappy Tuesday, Danny AE (keyboardist / bassist) presented the next track to the band…After hearing the first verse and a bit of the chorus, I was softly reminded of music that I loved from the 90’s and the first time I read Lost Souls by Poppy Z. Brite – and of course, the sound one makes when walking in the snow. These are all simple things that I forgot that I have loved so much. I think that balance is important, especially when my thoughts are forever walking a tightrope. I’ve always admired the listener, happiness is an unusual feeling that shouldn’t be taken for granted and I am forever grateful for learning how to smile, again.”
Listen to “Ashtray Ballet” below:
Having performed alongside acts such as Peter Murphy, The Damned, Psychedelic Furs, Cold Cave, Vowws, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Modern English, and more, Astari Nite have established themselves as a staple of the international post-punk and gothic rock scene.
“Ashtray Ballet” is out now. Find it on Bandcamp here.
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