15 Minutes With: ASTA
In 2012 Tasmanian songstress ASTA took out the crown for the Triple J Unearthed High competition, with her single “My Heart Is On Fire”. Now, in 2015, Asta has backed the win up with a string of singles (including this year’s airwave dominating collaboration with Allday, “Dynamite”), and a touring schedule that has seen her sell out shows and support the likes of Ellie Goulding. In the lead up to her performance at The Plot, we caught up with Asta to find out about where she’s from, her highly anticipated new album, and what she’s got in mind for the future.
“I grew up in a forest in Tasmania, with my two hippy parents. I was given a lot of creative outlets, I did lots of painting and singing and I had a music room when I was ten that was full of music gear. I actually started on the drum kit. I don’t still paint, but I was thinking the other day how nice it would be to start again as a hobby. I paint landscapes… Actually I’m going to do that today! I’m going to go get some paint brushes and paint!”
It’s a lifestyle background that’s lain the foundation for Asta’s success now, however there are still moments she finds a little surreal.
“Every day it’s like ‘Wow, this is my job’. It’s so cool that I’ve been given the chance to make music, and that people like it! This is what I wanted to do, ever since I was a kid. I’ve had this tunnel vision where I’m set on performing. It’s kind of crazy the universe has given me this opportunity, so I haven’t stopped since. I love touring. It’s the funnest part of it all. It’s so weird seeing artists that don’t tour. I love performing, it was always the main thing.”
It’s clear that for Asta, it’s this love of performance that’s been a major driver so far, and it’s set the rhythm for her career. It also goes hand-in-hand with Asta’s writing style, which she gave us a little insight into as we got to talking about her new album.
“I constantly write little things on my phone, then later if they’re still hanging around in my head later I know I should try to make something out of it. The other night I completely wrote a song, but without music. Lately that’s the sort of thing I’ve been loving, doing that without being influenced by the music, then being able to go into a writing session the next day with other people and putting those lyrics to music then. It’s a very cool thing.”
“I’d love to get the album out next year. I’m not sure how I’m going do it. It’s interesting these days with how the internet works, I’m not sure how to approach it. I think with technology as it is, I want to save the environment. I hate putting plastic out into the world.”
It’s a part of the industry few of us stop to think about, but for the 21 year old, on the verge of becoming one of the Australian music scene’s biggest names, social and environmental conscience haven’t fallen by the way side. Asta’s outlook and drive leave no doubt that she’ll be producing incredible music for years to come.
“It’s really hard to be like ‘What do I feel today? What do I want to say to the world today?’… writing something that’s honest to you translates to your fans, so that’s what I try to do.”
Catch ASTA at THE PLOT this Saturday 5 December 2015.
