- what / DJ, Producer
- likes / Trance, Progressive
Fast becoming one of New Zealands best and most sort after Progressive Trance Dj's, Astral started his professional Djing Career by being dropped in the deep end at the first of what was to become New Zealands most successful club night "Chemistry".
After one of those "Ive gotta be doing this" moments witnessing Binary Finary lay down a live set at 'Home' in Sydney in 99, he returned home and started spinning records wherever he could - he even managed to blag a couple of guest slots on Aucklands then only dance music station "George FM".
But it was when he handed his demo CD to leading NZ Trance DJ Sample Gee that things really started moving for him. Sample Gee was blown away with the tight, long mixes and progressive track selection by this new DJ and promptly booked him for the opening set at the upcoming "Chemistry" party at Aucklands St James Theatre.
The night was a huge success attracting close to 3000 clubbers with Astral receiving high praise from the promoter, other DJ's and punters alike.
The fallout from his initial break has meant sets at every "Chemistry" party since then, residencies at some of Auckland's best clubs, headlining sets at major events, bookings around NZ and billings on touring international events.
Astral has since developed his style and takes elements from the progressive sound, twisted trance and breaks to create his harder, driving progressive sets. He can also take things up a notch (or 10) and has been booked to play many Hard/NRG Trance sets.
Recently Astral has put his Producing hat on, with his original material receiving playlist adds on Aucklands UPFM. The quality of these production has resulted in Astral being commissioned to produce the soundtrack to a short film which is currently in production and scheduled for release in late 2003.
Also involved in Radio, Astral is the host of UPFM's weekly "Progressive Stance" show which broadcasts not only in Auckland but nationwide in New Zealand over the Sky Digital network.
All this plus a day job as a Label Manager at the Auckland office for one of the biggest record companies in the world, means Astral is having the time of his life being involved in the promotion of the music and scene which he loves.
Having recently returned from London UK where he played a Hard Trance set alongside Hard House Champions the 12" Thumpers and Greg Ferguson, and with a trip to Sydney Australia planned for this year - Astral is set to make waves on the world circuit
Residencies past & present:
"Renegade" @ Jones Bar (weekly)
"WSNC" @ Mix Bar (Monthly)
"Dirty House" @ Mix Bar (Monthly)
"Progressive Stance" UPFM 107.3 (weekly)
"DNA" @ Jones Bar (recurrent guest slot, Hard/Uplifting Trance Set)
"Chemistry" @ St James Auckland
Billings on the following Events:
CHEMISTRY 1 - 2001 St James - Auckland
LAGERED - 2001 The Powerstation , Auckland (Sample Gee)
CHEMISTRY 3 - 2002 St James Auckland (with Agnelli & Nelson, Steve Hill (aka Mr Bishi)
CHEMISTRY 4 - 2002 ST James Auckland - WSNC Room Co-headline
LAGERED - 2002 The Staircase , Auckland (Sample Gee)
BIGGIE PARTY - 2002 Mix Bar - Auckland - Co-Headline (Hard Trance Set)
GODSKITCHEN , 2002 St James (with John '00' Fleming, Judge Jules, Armin van Buuren)
SASHA , Dec 6 2002 St James Auckland, (with Sasha)
WELCOME 2003 , Dec 31 2002 St James Auckland , (with Rachel Auburn, Steve Hill (Mr Bishi), Rob Salmon, Sample Gee)
DESTINATIONS , February 2003 Canterbury , (with Concord Dawn, OB1, Infusion)
HARD HOUSE Vs THE WHITEHOUSE , April 5th 2003 Citizen London (with 12"Thumpers, Greg Ferguson, Vicki Edwards)
CHEMISTRY , MAY 9th 2003 , St James Auckland (Main room support for Lucien Foort)
For mix cds and bookings please contact
InTheForest
(email) carl.reynolds@paradise.net.nz
or progressive_stance@hotmail.com
