Ok guys we finally found a DJ from Alaska! A few weeks ago we posted a mix by Main Course and we have spent countless hours in this office chair-dancing to it ever since. Astronomar is putting out great tunes faster than any of these 17-year-old producers that are still living at home, and he has many more lined up. His bootlegs and Untrapped series have been played by a wide range of DJs from Skrillex to Drop the Lime, and he's releasing on labels from Mad Decent to Top Billin' so you should definitely pay attention. It is in the stars that Astronomar is going to be the next big thing (see what we did there?) so we sat him down and asked him how he does the damn thang.Where are you from?
I originate from Juneau, Alaska, but also spent five years in Seattle so that is home also. I currently live in L.A.One line about your hometown?
A small drinking town with a fishing problem.How old are you?
Old enough to party.What did the first ever track you made sound like and what was it inspired by?
The first thing I ever made that I was really proud of was a chopped-up Sandy Nelson drum solo. I was on some jazzy hip-hop shitHow did you get your name?
When i was 16, I was on acid trying to come up with a cool name to start tagging. Astronomar was a bit long to throw up quickly, so I stored it in the back of my mind. Then after my first time performing publicly (high-school talent show, I lost to the greased up hula dancers) I saw a shooting star and it felt like the universe had winked at me, so the name Astronomar sort of fit like a glove.What labels do you record for?
I currently co-operate the label Main Course with Bot and Neoteric, but I also am in constant communication with Mad Decent and many other great labels. Main Course is an extension of me so that is homeWho is your best friend that also does music and what are they like?
My best friend in and outside of music is Scott (aka DJ Shorthand). He is super funny, extremely picky about certain things, and a natural entertainer.Other than a club or a house, whats the best environment to hear your music (real or imagined)?
I really gain a lot by hearing my own music in a car, whether I'm driving or just riding along. Or in the shower – it's a good barometer for if something is truly entertaining.What is your favorite sound (or sounds) right now?
Really enjoying this new "twerk" thing happening right now. It's basically hip-hop beats, which is where I derive a lot of my influence and inspiration from and what I grew up on. I'm also pretty excited about ballroom at the moment.Name three non-musical inspirations.
My mother. The feeling of sharing space and positive energy with people I care about. Learning.Who is one up-and-coming artist you think we should look out for and why?
Mark Starr! He works really hard and has a great attitude about music, and it shows in his productionsWhat's next for you?
I've got loads of remixes coming out soon as well as some interesting collaborations with artists from across the board (some new faces and some household names). Also will be putting a lot of energy into Main Course. Check us out!
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I originate from Juneau, Alaska, but also spent five years in Seattle so that is home also. I currently live in L.A.One line about your hometown?
A small drinking town with a fishing problem.How old are you?
Old enough to party.What did the first ever track you made sound like and what was it inspired by?
The first thing I ever made that I was really proud of was a chopped-up Sandy Nelson drum solo. I was on some jazzy hip-hop shitHow did you get your name?
When i was 16, I was on acid trying to come up with a cool name to start tagging. Astronomar was a bit long to throw up quickly, so I stored it in the back of my mind. Then after my first time performing publicly (high-school talent show, I lost to the greased up hula dancers) I saw a shooting star and it felt like the universe had winked at me, so the name Astronomar sort of fit like a glove.What labels do you record for?
I currently co-operate the label Main Course with Bot and Neoteric, but I also am in constant communication with Mad Decent and many other great labels. Main Course is an extension of me so that is homeWho is your best friend that also does music and what are they like?
My best friend in and outside of music is Scott (aka DJ Shorthand). He is super funny, extremely picky about certain things, and a natural entertainer.Other than a club or a house, whats the best environment to hear your music (real or imagined)?
I really gain a lot by hearing my own music in a car, whether I'm driving or just riding along. Or in the shower – it's a good barometer for if something is truly entertaining.What is your favorite sound (or sounds) right now?
Really enjoying this new "twerk" thing happening right now. It's basically hip-hop beats, which is where I derive a lot of my influence and inspiration from and what I grew up on. I'm also pretty excited about ballroom at the moment.Name three non-musical inspirations.
My mother. The feeling of sharing space and positive energy with people I care about. Learning.Who is one up-and-coming artist you think we should look out for and why?
Mark Starr! He works really hard and has a great attitude about music, and it shows in his productionsWhat's next for you?
I've got loads of remixes coming out soon as well as some interesting collaborations with artists from across the board (some new faces and some household names). Also will be putting a lot of energy into Main Course. Check us out!