Currently: Tim DeMartin on Cajon and keys, Mike Monsiviaz on Drums, Tony Swanson on Bass
IN SAN DIEGO: Sam Johnson, Chris Wilson, Mike Monsivaiz, Jeff Berkley, Cathryn Beeks
IN SANTA FE: Jeff Montoya, Billy Vigil, Mikey Chavez, Jeff Nelson, Kevin Zoernig, Kenny Passarelli (The Eagles, Elton John), Jose Romero, and Mark Clark. As members of both FLY and THE ASTRA KELLY TRIO.
IN CHICAGO: Henry Jansen, Ken Schwartz, Robert Byrne, Scott Tallarida, Steve Gillis (Filter), Gerey Johnson, Lamar Jones, Clyde Davis, Newt Cole, Michael Levin, Paul Mertens, Mark Vickery, Hamid Drake, Harrison Bankhead, Brian Imig. As members of SUMO, ASTRA KELLY and FAR ROCKAWAY, and THE CHICAGO WORLD MUSIC PROJECT.
This journey is one of many and is walked by millions.
"The heartbreak of love sings, the sadness of knowledge speaks, the melancholy of desire whispers, and the anguish of poverty weeps. But there is a sorrow deeper than love, loftier than knowledge, stronger than desire, and more bitter than poverty. It is mute and has no voice, its eyes glitter like stars. The secret in singing is found between the vibration in the singer's voice and the throb in the hearer's heart." - Kahlil Gibran
Since moving to San Diego in July of 2006, Astra has been nominated 3x for a San diego Music Award. She's appeared in the pages of City Beat, The San Diego Reader, The NC times, and The SD Troubadour. She’s been heard on Java Jams (CTN/Channel 4), FOX ROX (Fox Channel 6), KUSI Good Morning San Diego CW6 San Diego Living, on the air at 94/9 with Tim Pyles, and on 102.1 KPRI where she DJ'd their Saturday night local music show, The KPRI Homegrown Hour from Jan. 2007 to May 2009 when she passed the Homegrown torch to fellow musician and founder of Listen Local SD, Cathryn Beeks. In summer 2008, she made her television debut as guest host for KNSD TV/NBC 7/39 and KPRI's "Concerts on the Square. Also, her music video for "All I Got" was showcased in the 2009 San Diego Film Festival.
BIO:
She was born in Marvel, AR. and delivered by Dr. Wise. Her early interest in music was fueled by family jams, school choirs and formal music studies. Her universal solo style has developed into a sound she calls acoustic soul. It is a rich fusion of her Chicago roots in funk and blues, merged with acoustic and rock elements. Her lyrics read like poetry, speaking of emotional transformation and personal freedom. Whether armed with only an acoustic guitar or with her full electric band, her delivery is an intensely powerful expression of equal parts joy and pain, balance and struggle. She has toured extensively over the years, both as a solo performer and as a member of various other projects. She’s also versed in the art of improve. She was a major player in the acid jazz explosion in Chicago with the band SUMO who never rehearsed once in 31/2 years and yet packed houses every single week. She continued this tradition with the group FLY during her time in Santa Fe, NM. Her work in the music industry has included managing recording studios, graphic design, promotions/booking and industry consultation for songwriters/bands, and air radio personality as the DJ for the 102.1 Homegrown Hour in San Diego.
Since 1996, Astra has released four records on her Rockaway record label. In addition, she can be heard on a number of regional and national artist’s recordings and regional compilations, most recently, WC Handy award winner Eddie Turners “Rise.” “Rise” was produced by famed composer/artist, Kenny Passarelli (Joe Walsh, Elton John). She performs live freequently, solo/acoustic, and with her band. She also books, promotes and hosts shows at various SD featuring some of SD's top bands and songwriters.
Astra reached a major turning point a few years back when she skidded on some black ice on the way to a gig in Colorado. Her tour van rolled and she landed upside down on a set of train tracks. In the light of the full moon with her posters and CDs scattered along the highway, she grabbed her guitar and got to safety just in time to watch a train charge down the tracks and crash into her tour van. This symbolic moment on her musical path launched her into a new wave of creativity and she has emerged with strong new material for these curious times. (see full story in blog..."The Crash")
Throughout the years, Astra has had the privilege to open for such acts as: Stanley Jordan, Meshell Ndegeocello, David Wilcox, Widespread Panic, Donovan Frankenreiter, Johnette Napolitano, Shawn Mullins, The Freddie Jones Band, Leon Russell, The Marshall Tucker Band, Jeff Healey, The Samples, and members of Big Head Todd and the Monsters.
"Astra is astralicious! Spooky astra-nomical-vocaology lovecicle raindrops." - SD local legend, Steve Poltz
RECENT PRESS:
Kelly's Astral Local Acclaim Continues!!- San Diego Downtown News: Bart Mendoza 10/2008
"Many local performers have quickly gained a foothold in the local scene, but singer songwriter, Astra Kelly's rise has been nothing less than meteoric. Relocating to San Diego from Chicago in 2006, she has become one of the area's top promoters of local music, a DJ on KPRI and a host of KNSD-TV's "Concerts on the Square" show. But performing remains her first love. While there is no shortage of singer-songwriters today. Kelly infuses her tunes with just enough rock n roll edge to keep things fresh while keeping the melody quotient in her music high."
PRESS QUOTES:
"Astra Kelly practices a hard-edged, yet folkish, ever-so-slightly jazzy brand of emotional exorcism"
David Prince - The Santa Fe Reporter
"The music is hard-driving, strumming acoustic guitar, supported by a wide variety of instruments on different tracks. The lyrics are like poetry, with phrases that find permanent homes in your head. Throughout her music, Astra strings sentences together that connect as something universal." - John Abbott, Diversity (Wright College of Chicago)
"Astra Kelly has released an EP of incredibly well crafted and thought provoking songs. This is by far one of the best local albums I've heard in a very long time." - Steve Maes, Transmission Magazine, NM
ALBUMS:
Battling the Sun EP Forthcoming Jan. 2010
EP 2004
Acoustic Soul Live 2000
Subtown Rituals 1999
Stones, Bones, and Boxes 1996
Doing well. I'm heading to Gulf Shores, AL for a few days. Gonna chill out on the beach, pretty girl by my side. I'll be getting together with some music buds as well. It is a great music scene down the on the Gulf Coast. Aaaaaaaah, can't wait! Oh, there is a new swanky place in Temecula called The Edge. Nice venue. Maybe hit Tim Moyer up for a spot on the Wednesday Night Acoustic Writer's sessions. Contact him via my friends list. He usually showcases two to three acoustic acts each week. I'll be playing there on Oct 14th. Maybe we could share the bill that night?
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