Tag: Aston

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“ASTON” – ASTON

If there was ever a song that suits a Monday that’s come around far too quickly, it’s “Middle Fingers,” the opening track from ASTON’s recently released self-titled EP. So full of sass and catchy AF, it’s a fantastic track about unapologetically showing your truth.

“Middle Fingers” is fantastic, but I’ll be surprised if you want to stop listening when it’s done. Every song on this release is a catchy pop banger. But we shouldn’t be surprised, as ASTON has an impressive resume writing songs for Evie Irie, Cosmos Midnight, and K-pop act AESPA. It’s no coincidence that this five-track EP has spawned three singles. “Middle Fingers” leads into this trio: “Firebomb,” “Girl is A Gun,” and “Killer Queen.” They’re all addictive, with great energy and personal lyrics. After three singles, you might expect this EP to go out with a whimper, but the final track “Heartbreak Club” is perhaps ASTON’s most relatable. It’s an interesting bookend. “Middle Fingers” was all bravado, but with this song we see glimpses of vulnerability. At least when she’s not talking about fucking some things up!

“The EP is all about growth. Find yourself to lose yourself to find yourself all over again,” ASTON explained. “This is the unofficial official guide to discovering and reminding yourself who the fuck you really are!”

For superb pop music without the saccharine, take a listen to ASTON’s self-titled debut EP.

Images used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Classical Act Aston Releases “Aston”

Classical pop outfit Aston have become fast favourites here at Sounds of Oz, so I’m thrilled to see the band has moved from the internet to our record store shelves. The band recently released its self-titled debut album.

The nine-track disc features all the cover songs which became viral video sensations, including La Roux’s “Bulletproof,” Lady Gaga’s “Telephone,” and Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida.”

Never one to rest on their laurels, Aston will head back into the studio next month to put their indelible stand on Britney Spears’ “Toxic,” the song voted by the fans as the one they most want to hear next. Something tells me it’s going to blow the original away!

Aston’s debut album is currently available from iTunes, the band’s website, and all good music stores.

Image used with permission from Revolutions

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Aston Passes Magic Million Views, Announces Tour Dates

Way to go Aston! The Sydney-based classical pop act has just notched up more than a million views on their YouTube channel. This number was no doubt boosted by the recent release of the new single “Bulletproof.”

To celebrate the milestone the band has announced a handful of New South Wales dates this September. Hopefully we’ll see them venturing out of their home state really soon! Until then, you can catch the band at the following shows, and on The Matty Johns Show every Thursday night.

14 September 2010 – Raval, Sydney
17 September 2010 – Orange Conservatorium, Orange
18 September 2010 – Mitchell Conservatorium, Bathurst
19 September 2010 –  Mitchell Conservatorium, Lithgow

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Aston Gives La Roux’s “Bulletproof” Classical Makeover

The people spoke and Aston listened. The Sydney based pop-classical act has released their cover of La Roux’s “Bulletproof,” as voted for by fans on their YouTube page. I think the public was right; this is great stuff. I’ll bet La Roux never imagined such a stirring rendition when she penned her dance floor filler! If you like it, you can get the single from iTunes.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Aston’s Hanna Oblikov

Classical pop act Aston have built some serious online buzz with the release of the viral video cover of “Telephone” and their soon-to-be-released new single “Bulletproof.” I caught up with the band’s cellist Hanna Oblikov today to talk about online success, performing on The Matty Johns Show, and what it’s like arranging chart toppers for her classical act.

You’re Aston’s cellist. What inspired you to take up the instrument?
I was actually three when I started. It wasn’t really my choice; my dad’s a cellist, my mum plays the flute as well so it was kind of a parent thing. But after I left school I decided I’d continue on. I don’t know, I just loved it. It was just in my blood and my family had always done it; it was kind of all I knew. I think my mum said when I was little she saw my hands and said “She’s going to play cello.”

But starting at three though, do they have little cellos?
Yeah, little mini cellos. I think they’re a quarter size, or an eighth. They’re really cute. They’re really little.

You were all trained at the Conservatorium of Music. So what inspired you to start playing Rihanna rather than Rachmaninoff?
We’d done it for a few corporate sort of gigs, and we were really quite surprised by how it came off. We just thought it was normal, whatever we did, but the people who listened and heard us, they just came up and absolutely raved about it. And they would always be so excited by it. And I mean we’ve done a whole heap of classical gigs and no one really comes up and says anything! So we realised that people were more inspired by that kind of music.

Continue reading “Q & A with Aston’s Hanna Oblikov” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Aston Does Rihanna’s “Rude Boy” Like You’ve Never Heard it Before

Sydney classical outfit Aston have been adding a touch of class to The Matty Johns Show each week. If you haven’t caught their reinterpretations of modern pop and rock songs, check out this reimagining of Rihanna’s “Rude Boy.” I’m not a fan of the original, or of classical music generally, yet I love this. If you do too, make sure you visit Aston’s YouTube page, where you can see more clips and vote for the song you want them to take on next!