August 16, 2007
I was nominated for "Best Acoustic Artist" in the San Diego Music Awards!

I feel truly honored to be in the company of such amazing talents all across the board. San Diego seems to be just brimming with song, all of the pieces are in place and the possibilities are possible. I'm totally bummed I will miss the awards ceremony, I am going home to Chicago for the first time in four years to see family, celebrate a wedding and and go to a Cubs game in Wrigley Field for the first time, which is totally preposterous since I grew up there....
It will be quite an event! Vote for me at sdmusicawards.com

June 25th, 2007
Big shows coming up! Thursday, July 19th - Astra at the famed Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach! AND Friday, July 27th, Astra opens for Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde! - Check calendar for more details. A total accident of a new tune is now posted on MySpace! CHECK IT OUT!!

March 25th, 2007
The local radio show: The KPRI Home grown Hour is in full swing. 10 shows. 80 different bands...the talent in San Diego is amazing and abundant. Astra's showcase in the Gaslamp District at Dublin Square is magical every Monday. Astra has teamed up with Cathryn Beeks of Listen Local SD, (fellow chick rocker and voted San Diego's best promoter), to host a local music showcase that draws packed houses every week and features some of SD's hottest talent! Astra also hosts the open mic at Dublin Square every Wed. (554 4th Ave.). A trip back to Santa Fe, and a studio date around the corner, Astra continues to work on what she deems as the world's longest record to record. Does Guinness recognize that? Guinness is also a very yummy beer.

October 30th, 2006
The move to San Diego is proving to be exciting and prosperous! We're still plugging away at the record of course...you can check out two new trax here Recorded and mixed before the move at Stepbridge Studios in Santa Fe. Astra is now a DJ! Working for KPRI FM in San Diego, she is preparing to host a Local Music Show that will air every Saturday night. Once it gets going, you can stream online at kprifm.com or if your in SD, tune into 102.1 Thanksgiving weekend. On November 8th, her new all girl band NOT YOUR MOM, will debut at Winstons in Pacific Beach. Girls rock!

May 15th, 2006
Gearing up for a big move to San Diego this July!! The record is nearly finished, all just bells and whistles at this point. We look forward to sharing some of the tracks soon...

October 13th, 2005
The Rock Outside the Box compilation release party was incredible. If you like rock and punk, you've gotta get your hands on a copy of this CD. I'm completely blown away by the level of talent on this compilation, and in a world of sonic mediocrity, this CD sounds killer. We should have a few copies available on the site very soon. Also, the Females on Fire compilation has been officially released as well, copies are available at www.femalesonfire.com !

July 23rd, 2005
Tim Stroh at Stepbridge Studios did a mix of one of the new tunes, Harmony, for the annual Rock Outside the Box compilation showcasing 30 New Mexico bands. Amazing to hear so much great talent in this region!!

March 28th, 2005
Studio sessions were amazing! Drummer Jeff Montoya broke right thru his snare the first night, prompting a new sound for the next tune with a different drum. The legendary Kenny Passarelli (Joe Walsh, Crosby Stills and Nash, Elton John) lent much magic on bass, B-3, and Fender Rhodes, and Stepbridge engineer Michael Chavez held down the fort like a true master. Trax are now on their way to L.A. for some more lovin' from producer Bob DeMarco.

February 7th, 2005
Studio session dates are scheduled from the 20th to the 23rd. We'll record final trax at Stepbridge Studios in Santa Fe. We're excited to introduce Jeff Montoya, new drummer, but very old friend. All you New Mexicans can check out the new duo at Stella Blue in Albuquerque on Feb. 19th. If you haven't noticed, copies of the EP are now available for purchase, visit our store to buy! Happy Carnaval, have a SUPERFAT Tuesday!

January 5th, 2005
Preparing to go back into the studio and record more tunes for a planned summer 2005 release. Trax will include new material and songs from Astra's recently released EP.

Oct. 1st, 2004
Gearing up for an L.A trip mid-month, a festival in southern New Mexico on the 23rd and a short Colorado tour just before Halloween. Mass quantities of the new EP will be available within weeks!!

August 20th, 2004
Astra has partnered with Cheryl Hooks Artist Management, based in Albuquerque, NM., and is planning tours for next year in support of the full album release. Pre-production has begun, and studio bookings are scheduled for after the first of the year. Meanwhile we are preparing for Fiestas in Santa Fe, the annual celebration and burning of Zozobra, a.k.a Old Man Gloom. 50,000 people gather around the two story high Zozobra chanting "burn him!" while he moans and groans and flails his arms until finally the torch bearer sets him a flame in a ritual meant to burn away the cares and worries of the summer and move with good fortune into the rest of the year. Only in Santa Fe.....

June 25th, 2004
"Break the Glass" will be featured on the Digifest Southwest compilation. Digifest is an Albuquerque Indie film festival and the compilation will be used in conjunction with the NM tourism board and film council to encourage the use of NM talent in feature films. Also, "How Long" has been chosen for Gilli Moon's "Females on Fire" CD, set for an early fall release. Plans are for a "Fiery Female" national tour to support the compilation.

April 19, 2004
New website posted! The second track from the new EP, "How Long", is in rotation on KBAC radio Free Santa Fe. Santa Feans can call 505.988.5222 to request!

March 15, 2004
Spring and summer tour dates in the works, check for shows in CA, AZ, NM, CO, IL, NY, WA, and TX! Need sponsorship for the world domination tour...step up, eh?

February 1 , 2004
After nearly two intensely creative and personally challenging years, Astra celebrates a preliminary EP release. Many props to producer and monster guitar player Bob DeMarco, recording engineer and mixmaster, Steve McDonald and the rest of the L.A. based players who make these tunes sound so killer!