To quote from Astra's song, Funky Tink Tank, which some say is about the legendary Jamaican guru on Jungo Mountain... "John Gomerry say 'whadya know'."

Astra was born in Brighton, on the south coast of England, into a pro music family. Always on the move with their gigs, she lived first in the South of England, then the East, and then Wales, in Tyn Llechwedd, which means "The Little House on the Hill" - check out the ballad of that name. There, as a kid living within sight of Mount Snowden, land of kites, eagles and beautiful valleys, Astra got her first Gibson guitar and wrote her first songs.

Currently based in France near Le Mans (famed for the 24-hour car endurance race), Astra records the songs and instrumentals she has composed, with the song lyrics mostly written by the album's co-producer.

Astra has played her songs at over 450 live concerts. Her music has been enthusiastically received by audiences and journalists in France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Drawing on the experience of playing live, Astra has recorded these songs which comprise her live music repertoire. Creating the music, arranging and performing all the parts, singing the songs, the harmonies and vocal group backing, Astra also plays all the various instruments herself. Here they are:

lead guitar, riff and rhythm electric and acoustic six and twelve-string guitars, bass, keyboards, organ, synth, and percussion. She gives you the whole group and orchestra - in this music, Astra is the group ! Like me, you will find it's utterly inspiring !

Astra's tastes in music are wide but based deep in rock. This is reflected in the eclectic variety of styles of her songs and group-type arrangements of vocal and instrumental backing. They befit inclusion in many music categories, such as: new music, rock, pop-rock, theme and mood music instrumentals, ballads, blues-rock, ethnic and world music. A Hamburg gig promoter calls this "rock music for the thinking person." Perhaps the most appropriate categorisation is "Astra's Music"...

In listening to Astra's music, you are taken through many moods, to different places in your imagination, and always with an accompanying emotion: tenderness, humour, alarm, anger, shock, laughter, love and tears - it's all there! You are drawn in to share her world with her.

Astra is a virtuoso guitarist. Taking her experience as a concert performer with her, Astra is in her element creating, singing, playing and producing in the recording studio. With the composer's gift expressed through instrumental expertise, she transforms abstract concepts into the entertainment we all love as the sound of songs and music.

Above all, you hear Astra's great vocals. These vary sensitively according to the differing moods of the songs in combination with her lead guitar. This is wonderful entertainment; music you want to hear over and over again. Astra is never happier than when creating and playing what she calls "real, hand-made music." You and I will get years of enjoyment out of it.

Lead guitarist Astra sings and plays all the instruments you hear: lead and backing vocals, lead, rhythm and bass guitars, percussion and keyboards; catchy rock & pop, ballads and mood music.

"ASTRA's albums are a pure marvel - I really love this music. The guitar work is sheer musical audacity - how does she do it!"
Yves Frayssinet, Bandleader & Guitarist, Hors Série Rock Show Band & the Frayssinet Jazz Combo.

"ASTRA's albums are a pure marvel - I really love this music. The guitar work is sheer musical audacity - how does she do it!"
Yves Frayssinet, Bandleader & Guitarist, Hors Série Rock Show Band & the Frayssinet Jazz Combo.