Astronata 2019 sees the launch of the brand new experimental artists from Ukraine, whereby artistic imagery meet a fascinating dimension of sound. The duo is comprised of singer/songwriter Nata Smirina and producer Ilya Misura. Though this is a new project for the pair, they both have a long musical history. Nata is well-known as the vocalist for pop band Pur:Pur with which she has represented the country twice in the Eurovision Song Contest. In addition, Nata sings in the modern dance group KOOQLA. Ilya is also a part of the bass music production identity Dub Beans from Russia. Having just released their debut single ‘BeLoved’, Astronata talk to us about their project… Tell us about yourself and your musical background. Nata: I’m a singer and songwriter without any musical education. I’ve learned singing all by myself surfing the internet and digging different lessons and video schools. For me music is the way of understanding things and communicating with the outer world, and first of all I appreciate honesty and straightforwardness in it. This approach brought me to performing my own songs on stage in 2008. Since then I can’t imagine myself without singing and writing.
I’ve started with rock music, as it usually happened with guys of that time, but later I’ve become interested in Dark Electro, and it was my first step into the limitless world of electronic music. I’ve been producing Hardcore, Dub, Nu Disco, Tropical Bass for many years. Now I’ve concentrated all my experience in bass music that allows me to mix down everything I have in my head into something original and interesting, but still powerful and uplifting. You have a very distinctive voice. It may not be true, but I hear some folk embellishments in it. What bands, singers, influenced you? Nata: Thanks. I grew up on the perfectness and soulful singing of Ella Fitzgerald. A bit later I met the diabolic sadness of Janis Joplin’s voice. Then there was Norah Jones’ tenderness and, thanks to the internet, I’ve discovered many other singers who inspired me to self-knowledge and experiments. But the main thing - honesty and message was always the key for me. I think that only truly opened hearts can open other people’s hearts. Your debut single “BeLoved” is out now, let us know the inspirations behind this song.
Nata: This track has a beautiful story of creation. Ilya rarely shared his feelings and emotions with anyone – he put everything into his music. We began to chat in February 2018 when Ilya suggested my collaboration on his track, and in June we totally realized that we Ilya: I’ve been performing as a keyboard could not live without each player and producing music since 2007. 12
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