This is a tale of inevitability. Of four highly experienced musicians who find themselves in a room together and play as never before. They are the Astral Bakers, a musical band that embodies the essence of acoustic rock with layers of indie rock, sung in English. Somewhere between Big Thief, Supertramp, and an unplugged Nirvana show, their music defies labels and focuses on the substance—the elemental power of their sound. The band consists of Sage (aka Ambroise Willaume, formerly of French trio Revolver), Theodora, Nico Lockhart, and Zoé Hochberg. These four musicians are no strangers to each other, having collaborated on numerous records and tours with notable artists such as Clara Luciani, November Ultra, Pomme, and Woodkid. With over a decade of professional experience, they bring a wealth of musical knowledge and expertise to their collective endeavor. The Astral Bakers share a common goal: to create music that evokes epiphanies, presence, friendship, and purity. Their journey began with a transformative concert at the renowned Paris venue Le Consulat. Inspired by the need to return to their roots, they sought to rediscover the essence of their music and break free from the complexities of demos and production. They craved a return to basics, to immerse themselves in the raw energy of their craft and reignite their passion. In muggy paneled rooms, the Astral Bakers began to write their first tracks. Rehearsing tirelessly, they forged a tight bond, interweaving the melodies of Sage and Nicolas’ guitars, solidifying the beat with Theodora’s bass, and enveloping it all in the rhythmic embrace of Zoé’s drums. Their music became an interactive dialogue, a synergy of instruments that breathed life into their compositions. Above the instrumental tapestry, the voices of the Astral Bakers rise—casual yet focused. Sage’s vocals, powerful in their acceptance of supreme fragility, take center stage, followed by the harmonious blend of the other band members’ warm and confident backing vocals. Their voices unite, precise and attentive to every passing flaw, recognizing that imperfections are the essence of grace. Playing together, the Astral Bakers evoke the fallible, genuine progress of life through their music. They remind us of an obvious yet sometimes forgotten fact: music is primarily an art of presence. It is an art form that captures the essence of the moment, the raw emotions and vulnerabilities that make us human. Their debut single, “One More,” serves as the birth certificate of the Astral Bakers’ journey. Returning to purity and power, the band delivers a compelling piece that encapsulates their musical prowess. The track lands somewhere between the introspective storytelling of Big Thief, the melodic intricacies of Supertramp, and the raw energy of an unplugged Nirvana show. However, it is the substance of the music that truly matters, transcending any labels or comparisons. The accompanying music video for “One More” takes viewers into the heart of the Astral Bakers’ recording process. The camera, skillfully wielded by Matthieu Torres, becomes a star turning on itself, capturing the essence of the band’s synergy. Filmed in a continuous sequence shot, the video never breaks away from the slow and unchanging rotation of the central camera. It moves from one musician to the next, perfectly synchronized with the rhythm of the instruments and Sage’s voice, which resonates stronger yet more fragile than ever before. The video captivates with its honesty and simplicity, allowing the audience to experience the band’s creative process firsthand. The Astral Bakers have embarked on a musical journey that transcends genres and resonates with the purity of their sound. Through their powerful performances and their unwavering dedication to their craft, they remind us of the transformative power of music. With each note and lyric, they invite us to embrace our vulnerabilities and revel in the beauty of the present moment. The Astral Bakers are not just a band; they are a testament to the enduring magic of music and the boundless possibilities that lie within it.
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