Introducing Astral People Recordings

11 July 2019 - Press release

[PIAS] Partners with Australian Management & Touring Company on new Co-op Label

Astral People Recordings’ First Signing Signals the Anticipated Return of Wave Racer

Listen to ‘Summer Rain’ Feat Kwame https://smarturl.it/wr_summer_rain 

[PIAS] – one of the world’s leading independent music companies, has partnered with one of Australia’s most exciting management and touring companies, Astral People on an exciting Australian based Co-Op label deal, introducing Astral People Recordings.

Operated by Vichara Edirisinghe and Tom Huggett, Astral People has always been a forever evolving project run by a group of music lovers in Sydney. What started as an Artist Management company looking after the careers of artists such as Cosmos Midnight, Winston Surfshirt, Milan Ring and Basenji, has over time spread its wings into touring bringing out world class artists to Australia including Stormzy, Snakehips, Nao and Sampha, as well as into events, festivals and publishing – with each chapter approached with quality and control. So picking the correct time and partners to launch a label was paramount.

“Our vision for the label is just a pure reflection of our joint musical tastes as a company. Representing both local and international artists who we truly believe are the best in their fields at what they do. We’ve never been a company that’s been pigeonholed into a certain genre and we certainly won’t be with this label. However, what we can say is that the artists we choose to represent will be ones of the highest caliber and an exciting prospect in their respective genre or scene. The label will represent artists that we truly feel will last the test of time in this forever changing business, and we are incredibly proud to align ourselves with such a leading voice in independent music, along some of our favourite labels (Phantasy, DFA, Mute and Transgressive Records) in the co-op model. It’s an honour to have Astral People Recordings sit amongst this group” Explains Edirisinghe, Huggett.

Fittingly and under their ambition for timeless music at the top of it’s game, Astral People Recordings is thrilled to announce their first signing, the highly anticipated return of the future-bass wunder-producer and multi-instrumentalist, Wave Racer.
Taking both Australia and the world by storm, Wave Racer’s blend of pixelated funk zooms and enhances on trans-continental club sounds and gold-plated production standards and blows them straight out of the water. With the release of his 2015 Flash Drive EP, alongside breakout hit singles ‘Streamers’ and ‘Rock U', his glistening aquatic remix treatment leant to everyone from Snakehips, Duke Dumont and Foster The People, touring with Disclosure and Chormeo, and featuring at festivals such HARD Summer, Ultra, Groovin The Moo and Coachella – you could be forgiven for forgetting that he had only been in the spotlight for three years. In 2017 he was gone.

However, after a number of years hiatus, Wave Racer aka Tom Purcell recently teased his return with the release of a stand-alone single ‘AUTO’ that saw fans and industry, around the world erupt in celebration. Today, Wave Racer, finally, officially returns with ‘Summer Rain’ featuring one of Australia’s most exciting hip hop artists at the moment, Kwame. Signaling a new season of Wave Racer, with much more music to come.

Wave Racer explains; "I am unspeakably lucky to be creating and releasing music again, and to be doing it with the very same team that has been with me since day one is such a privilege. As managers, Astral People took me from my bedroom to global audiences, and have had the faith and fortitude to stick with me through each and every challenge that has presented itself over the last 6 years. The strength and confidence that I gain from having the Astral People team behind me is immeasurable, and it will continue to grow as we enter into this new chapter together. Astral People have had unwavering support for me and my music from the very start; and to be on board with them for this new beginning is truly an honour."

“I am thrilled that Astral People is joining our worldwide roster of outstanding independent labels. Vic and Tom have built something very special in Australia and their entrepreneurial drive, A&R instinct and international outlook make them a perfect fit for our Cooperative label offering. We are proud that they have chosen [PIAS] as a global partner for their new label venture and we can’t wait to start working together on the exciting new artist roster they are developing” Edwin Schroter, [PIAS] Group Managing Director

“Inertia Music has such a long-standing relationship with Astral People, both personally and through their partnership with Handsome Tours. We are constantly inspired by not only their musical taste, but the passion and consideration that Astral People put into everything they do. We’re so honored to help them realise their ambitions for a label outstanding in its musical output and care.” Meg Williams, Director - Inertia Label Group

Now eight years into their operation, Astral People’s unrivalled commitment to quality and innovative music will be further expanded upon through Astral People Recordings.

‘Summer Rain’ ft. Kwame by Wave Racer is out now on Astral People Recordings via [PIAS] Co-Op
Get it here: https://smarturl.it/wr_summer_rain

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