Astrid's Tea Party Interview

Keeping in line with our series of upcoming artists, we caught up with a called by the name of Astrid, from a band by the name of Astrid’s Tea Party. Sounds very British doesn’t it, find out more below.
Hi, how’s it going today, what have you been up to lately?
Well, we’ve just finished playing The Great Escape and recording the debut video for our latest release, ‘Black Swan.’ In addition, I’ve been back in Prague catching up, and the guys have been in London. We are reconvening back in Brighton early June – so watch this space.
You describe your genre as “Electroshock” what exactly makes up Electroshock and what does it mean?
One of the problems we have faced is categorising our music. There have been lots of differing opinions of what it is and various names suggested. The one we liked most was, “you sound like the future,” which was massively ego boosting, but to describe yourself as the future would be far too pretentious, even for us. I think John Hammond once wrote this about Bruce Springsteen many years ago, and we are hardly him. So we came up with ‘electroshock’ or a new wave of electronic music if you like. For people who like to engage both emotionally and cerebrally to the music – electronic music with attitude, which hopefully is everyone.
How important do you think The Great Escape festival is to emerging bands wanting to try and get on the scene?
I think The Great Escape is hugely important, as it provides not only a platform for newer bands to perform, but also enables the bands to support each other… and if possible, steal ideas that can be incorporated into our set to devastating effect.
What is it about Brighton right now that is producing all these amazing bands? The UK really seems to be taking to Brighton’s bands, why do you think this is?
I think the mix of alternative cultures, the coastal space weekend party atmosphere, and its proximity to the London music industry are massive contributors. And of course, once a scene starts it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Huge numbers of people move here, as I did solely with the intention of finding like-minded, emotionally dysfunctional people to hang with, and hopefully start a band. End result is some succeed, and seeing this, others then follow… before you know it, you have a Brighton music scene.
Can we expect a UK or European tour at some point this year?
We are working on a new release and planning a tour for later in the year. All are welcome as they say in cheese world.. “why go to a gig when you can go to a party?” 😉
Dream collaboration?
Well, I would have wanted to work with The Clash, but with the death of Mr Joe Strummer, that won’t be possible. Out of today’s artists, I would love to work with Dylan, Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, Kraftwerk with Jack White doing a bit of lead work. I’m also a massive fan of the Reverend D Wayne Love from Alabama 3.
What are you listening to?
East European Bohemian Beat, from Prague where I now live when not in Brighton. It sends me into a rhapsody (weak attempt at a joke, yes I know). But there is a real good scene for this over there, away from the tourist areas, you can dig it out. Give me a shout/tweet and I will tell you where to find it.
Check out Astrid’s Tea Party’s new single Black Swan below and catch them on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/astridsteaparty?fref=ts