Stephen W. Foster created ‘Astral Rock’ in the late 2000’s to showcase original rock music, with many albums under his belt we sat down with him to find out more.
How did you get started, and what has led up to where you are today as an artist?
I started with a friend teaching me a couple of chords on guitar. Always a music lover and wanted to play like my heroes of the 60’s. In the early 70’s I formed a band with a couple of friends and we performed in local pubs. I performed solo in a couple of clubs but my heart was with writing music. Raising a family during the 80’s and 90’s work took over. Then in 2007 I decided to return to writing music.
Astral Rock was born and I recorded two albums. The 2nd album ‘Astral Travel’ was released through Songcast and sold through iTunes. Again I took time off following serious illness and returned to work building a Flooring Contract Divion for an established retailer. I retired in 2019 and decided that my interest lay in writing and recording music. So Astral Rock was reborn. throughout 2020 I wrote and recorded 5 new albums. ‘Tastes Like Gold’ was released through Distrokid in 2021 and the EP ‘Shy & Retiring’ released a couple of months later.
Who do you feel has influenced you the most as an artist?
Growing up in the 60’s and as a lover of The Kinks, The Beatles, The Animals, Dave Clark Five my most influential artist is Ray Davies. His style of English Rock is very powerful.
What do you feel sets you apart from other artists and gives you your own sound?
I write for myself the music I want to hear. When I listen to much music around today it is hard to tell one from another. My aim was to be recognised much like if you hear a ‘Queen’ Song for the first time you just know it’s Queen.
What has been your biggest challenge and what do you feel you have learned from it?
My biggest challenge was being recognised, and then to be heard. I started with YouTube in 2020. and for 12 months did nothing else. Then, by chance, I heard that self promotion through social media was the way to go. So I followed.
Tell us about your latest project, what have you got going on at the moment?
My latest work is an EP ‘A Little Dark Blue Mood Music’, it is an inspired collaboration work with American artist and lyricist Bob Love. Bob has a gift for writing heartfelt lyric. I recognised his talent and approached him with the idea of fusing my Rock sound with his Country Rock lyric. The result is fantastic.
We’ve completed the EP with four original songs and I’ve added an instrumental track ‘A Little Dark Blue Mood Music’ the song that inspired the album. It is due out in a few weeks possible the end of October ’21 or the beginning of November ’21.
What advice would you give to anyone new coming into the industry?
Very easy! Keep it simple and do what you want to do. Don’t try to please an audience.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank for getting you to where you are now, anyone you’d like to give a shout-out to?
My thanks goes to Lynz Chrichton for introducing to social media. Once established the support and promotion given by; Ade Wilding, Storm of Crows (Matt), Portobello Express (Betty), Jimmy Armstrong, Dave of Time 2 Rhyme, Blackett Music (Ben) Martina Dorner, Tracy Lee Harrington, Timothy Judson Taylor. The Negatrons and Edens End.
How can fans find you?
My website https://swfoster9.wixsite.com/website-1
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/3eOvdCoixSV81IKDve5eOR?si=eYFPKavLR2u1LZ5MzPe-cg&dl_branch=1
Bandcamp https://astralrock.bandcamp.com
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3Bh9786m6LVJf_CCMHeJ-Q