By sweeneykovar | November 21st, 2011
Emmanuel Mario grew up in southern France with parents that exposed him to Neil Young and Kraftwerk as a youth. Needless to say, the artist within a young Emmanuel was encouraged and nurtured early on. He also had the chance to start a radio show at school (they do that at grade school in France, apparently), where he started pairing his favorite music with readings from his favorite literature.
Fast-forward a decade or two and Emmanuel, now going by the moniker of Astrobal, still finds himself combining thematic elements from his favorite literature with his favorite music, except he’s the one making it now. Inspired by the likes of Milosh and Stereolab, Astrobal was drawn to digital composition instead of focusing on an analogue instrument. After years of mastering production programs while working menial jobs, often doing side jobs producing for others, Astrobal is finally ready to make his formal introduction.
His debut EP, Poetry & Science-Fiction, is out now on Plug Research. The video for “Trains” has been picked up by MTV IGGY. The infectious song is part minimal, part bubble-gum pop, and always ethereal.