Astral People launch label Astral People Recordings with Wave Racer as the first signee

12 July 2019 | 9:28 am | Caitlin Medcalf

Astral People have announced they're teaming up with [PIAS] Recordings & Inertia Music to form Astral People Recordings. Their first signee is Wave Racer.

Here's a double serving of good news for you - Aussie management and touring company, Astral People, have today announced they're joining forces with [PIAS] Recordings and Inertia to form Astral People Recordings. Their partnership comes in the form of a Co-Op label deal, meaning that [PIAS] will invest in the work of APR to form a long-lasting commercial partnership.

“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," Vic and Tom of Astral People said.

"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.”

They've also announced that the label's first signing is Wave Racer, signalling the highly anticipated return of the Melbourne producer who has been on hiatus for a few years. He returned a few weeks back with a standalone single in 'Auto', a saccharine-sweet taste of what he's been chipping away at, and with the news of his signing to APR today, he's shared a new single 'Summer Rain', featuring the imitable flow of Sydney rapper Kwame.

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'Summer Rain' harnesses the unmistakeable energy brought by Wave Racer, but with a future-pop twist. The addition of Kwame on the track has seemingly forced both artists to think outside of their usual modes of thinking, and meeting in the middle for a 'Broccoli'-esque hip-pop bop.

This track marks the official return of Wave Racer, and with his new found home on Astral People Recordings, it looks like he's here to stay.

"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,” Wave Racer says. “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 six years.”

Photo of Wave Racer by Jordan Drysdale

Photo of Astral People by Ryan Achilles

Words by CAITLIN MEDCALF

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