10 Questions w/ Astrel K

Astrel K is the stargazing, art-pop solo project of long-time Ulrika Spacek frontman Rhys Edwards. Edwards’ diverse artistic portfolio gained another jewel earlier this year in the form of a new solo project: “The Foreign Department”. Below are 10 questions meant to dive deeper into his artistic mindset:

1. Describe how you started making music? Are there any influences (whether artistic or personal) that especially stand out in your journey?

I was very lucky that my school had a room with a drum kit and some amps, from the age of about 14 me and friends would spend our lunch breaks messing around making noise. I don’t come from a musical family so didn’t grow up with instruments around me, so my entry into making music came from me somehow rather than something imposed on me. I guess in those early teen years you are defining your identity and music just seemed to entwine with mine.

2. What album was most dear to you at that time? What about now?

At that time Nu metal was huge, so I’d have to say that first Slipknot record and ‘White Pony’ by deftones which I still listen to at least once a year nowadays.

3. In addition to the obvious collaborative differences, how does your creative process differ between Ulrika Spacek and your solo ventures as Astrel K?

I guess the fact that Ulrika Spacek usually comes from playing guitars whereas Astrel K very much started as a sampling project for me. I had just moved to Sweden and had no-one to play with so I would sample ideas and write to them, building the instrumentation alone and then removing the original sample. That is a process that has creeped into Ulrika writing but more in a way of sampling ourselves, from different individuals ideas, bending and warping them to fit together.

4. What was your biggest challenge in starting a solo project?

Probably reaching a wider audience, it’s very much ‘you know if you know’ at the moment. It’s quite an attention economy out there, in many ways Ulrika is a tiny cult band, and those who know my astrel k project is an even smaller percentage of that.

5. In your time with Tripwires, Ulrika Spacek, and Formika, what development have you made as an artist that you’re most proud of?

I think it’s the ability to write on any instrument really, not that I’m particularly good at anything. When I’m using one and nothing is happening I just change the tool so to speak. Traditionally Ulrika has been written on guitar, Astrel K piano and sampler and Formika is via laptop and synths.

6. Is there any one strategy in approaching the act of creation that you’ve found to be especially helpful/useful?

I think you have to be behind an instrument to write and sometimes its easier just to theorise in your head what you want to do or are ‘gonna do’ but you kind of have to dedicate yourself to trying stuff and putting in the hours, which can be mentally difficult and frustrating as most of the time nothing special is happening and that makes you lose confidence in yourself. I try be in the studio almost like a 9 to 5, often not much great happens in this time, and when you get home you record something in 10 minutes. Home is always an inspiring place for me as you are often doing other things, the best stuff often comes when you are not trying. But I’m a big believer that stuff doesn’t come unless you have put in the work hours before. That can even be file management and cleaning your projects but it’s doing something that opens up a space later down the line.

7. What has been your favorite moment in your career to this point?

I think a recent highlight that sticks to mind was Ulrika’s first show in Mexico City. It’s incredibly humbling and encouraging when you are so far from home but have an audience that is as supportive as that.

8. Where would you like to go next? Whether it’s a new avenue to explore musically, or an entirely new project, do you have anything envisioned?

Currently working on the next Ulrika album with the guys. So far really happy with what we have, it feels contemporary to us and have learned to enjoy working in the musical ‘box’ that you have built around you via previous albums, and at particular times you choose to stay in it or break it.

9. What instrument would you like to learn to play (beyond what you know now)?

I’d like to be better at piano, mainly having a better knowledge of chord shapes and I sometimes get bored of myself in terms of my ability. Knowing how to play a bit of trumpet would also be useful.

10. If you had to choose one adjective to describe your most recent project, “The Foreign Department”, what would it be?

Affirming.