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Astrid Young
 
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| Astrid Young |
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Bio
Playing music since the age of five, Astrid Young has explored a multitude of
instruments in a range of styles, from classical to heavy rock, with a healthy dose of
blues and country in between: her discography dates back to 1984 and boasts over
thirty releases, from bands that she has played in to artists for whom she has sang
backup or played with as a side-person.
Some notable co-writes include Bernie Taupin & Martin Page, Lisa DalBello,
Nancy Wilson (Heart) and the late West Arkeen (Guns & Roses). Other artists with
whom Astrid has had the pleasure of working with both live and in the studio include
Neil Young, Ann & Nancy Wilson, Graham Bonnet, Johnny Cash,
Nicolette Larson, Gerry Goffin, Graveyard Train, Dramarama.
Though there is much diversity in her music, Astrid's soul lies at the heart of each style
she explores. "It is difficult to define myself, because I'm different all the time" she says.
"Years ago people used to tell me - you've got to focus, pick one thing' and it really got
to me, like I was missing the mark somehow, but in reality no matter what style I am
expressing, it always sounds like me." Case in point, compare the stoner-rock iST
release "Pokalolo Paniolo " to the haunting darkness of solo acoustic "Matinee " on
which Astrid played every instrument, including an original RCA Theramin, Celeste
and glass flute. Many of the same songs are represented on each album, and in
completely contrasting styles. "Ninety percent of the songs on the iST record were
written that way, with just an acoustic guitar in the living room. It's not really a big
stretch to make a song heavy, but if you can't sit and play it on a guitar, or a piano, from
beginning to end it's not much of a song, is it?"
Astrid's solo acoustic shows have been compared to "Alice In Chains Unplugged" and
have rallied fans all over the world, from the Whiskey-A-Go-Go in Hollywood to
Paradiso in Amsterdam. Astrid cites her primary influences as David Bowie, Pink Floyd
and Black Sabbath: an eclectic mix of styles indeed, whose parallels have never been
so evident as in Astrid's unique expression.
Astrid is currently in production for her next solo album, a concept record about the
desert, entitled Integratron.
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