Alex the Astronaut
Alex the Astronaut | |
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![]() Lynn in 2020 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Alexandra Lynn |
Born | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | 3 March 1995
Genres |
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Occupation(s) |
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Instruments |
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Years active | 2016–present |
Labels |
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Website | alextheastronaut |
Alexandra Lynn (born 3 March 1995), known professionally as Alex the Astronaut, is an Australian folk-pop singer-songwriter.
Her debut album The Theory of Absolutely Nothing was released on 21 August 2020, and peaked at number 22 on the ARIA Album's Chart.
Lynn has her own record label, Minkowski Records, which was named after the Minkowski diagram.[1]
Early life[]
Lynn graduated from Pymble Ladies' College in Sydney before studying maths and physics at Long Island University, New York,[2] including a thesis on sonoluminescence,[3] where she played soccer for the LIU Post Pioneers.[4]
Career[]
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2017–2018: To Whom It May Concern and See You Soon[]
Lynn released her debut EP To Whom It May Concern as Alex the Astronaut in 2017. The EP features the single "Already Home", which was described by HuffPost Australia as "a melancholy number about a bus ride and ruminations on the mundanities of life".[5]
Lynn's second EP See You Soon featured the single "Not Worth Hiding",[6] and was nominated for a J Award for Unearthed Artist of the Year in 2017.[7]
"Not Worth Hiding" ranked at number 23 on Triple J Hottest 100 and it described as an unofficial anthem for the "Yes" campaign in the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey.[8]
Lynn performed at The Great Escape Festival[9] in Brighton, UK and at the Primavera Sound Festival in Barcelona.[10] Alex the Astronaut commenced her first national Australian headline tour in November 2018.[11]
2019–present:The Theory of Absolutely Nothing[]
Lynn released the single "I Like To Dance" on 8 August 2019. which Brooklyn Vegan described as "tuneful folk-pop to tell a haunting story".[12]
In January 2020, Alex the Astronaut released the single "I Think You're Great".[13] and "Split the Sky" in April.[14] The track references the film franchise, Harry Potter, in the opening line where Lynn sings "I've been colder, watching Harry Potter looking older". Alex The Astronaut tweeted the inspiration upon release, and James and Oliver Phelps, who played the Weasley twins, both retweeted the post.[15]
In May 2020, Lynn announced her album The Theory of Absolutely Nothing, scheduled for release on 21 August 2020, and released a subsequent single titled "Lost".[16]
The Theory of Absolutely Nothing was released on 21 August 2020, with Lynn releasing the single "Caught in the Middle" on the same day.[17] The accompanying music video for the single features an appearance from Lindy Morrison of the Go-Betweens, and shows the two playing tennis and drumming competitively.[18] The Line of Best Fit described her debut album as "a record packed full of vibrant, witty, insightful and heart-rending storytelling, all hooked around rich and tender folk-pop melodies".[19] NME Australia praised the album as a "dynamic, ambitious debut" and gave it a five-star review.[20]
Personal life[]
Lynn was diagnosed with Level 1 autism in May 2021.[21]
Musical style and influences[]
Lynn's music has been described as folk pop and folktronica, and has drawn comparisons to Australian musician Paul Kelly.[5][22]
Reception[]
Lynn has been described as one of Australia's "most powerful and important songwriters".[23]
Discography[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c4/Alex_the_Astronaut_am_Haldern_Pop_Festival_2019_-_01_-_Foto_Alexander_Kellner.jpg/250px-Alex_the_Astronaut_am_Haldern_Pop_Festival_2019_-_01_-_Foto_Alexander_Kellner.jpg)
Studio albums[]
Title | Details | Peak chart positions |
---|---|---|
AUS [24] | ||
The Theory of Absolutely Nothing | 22 |
Live albums[]
Title | Details |
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The Space Tour Live (At Your Place) |
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Extended plays[]
Title | Details |
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To Whom It May Concern | |
See You Soon |
Singles[]
As lead artist[]
Title | Year | Album |
---|---|---|
"Already Home"[30] | 2016 | To Whom It May Concern |
"Rockstar City"[31] | 2017 | |
"Not Worth Hiding"[32] | See You Soon | |
"Waste of Time"[33] | 2018 | Non-album single |
"Happy Song" (original or Shed mix)[34][35] |
The Theory of Absolutely Nothing | |
"I Like to Dance"[36] | 2019 | |
"I Think You're Great"[37] | 2020 | |
"Split the Sky"[38] | ||
"Lost"[16] | ||
"Banksia"[39] | ||
"Christmas in July"[40] | ||
"Caught in the Middle"[41] |
As featured artist[]
Title | Year | Album |
---|---|---|
"Dickheads" (Tuka featuring Alex the Astronaut)[42] |
2020 | Non-album single |
Notes
- ^ Jump up to: a b To Whom It May Concern and See You Soon received a physical release as Notes from an Astronaut.[28]
Awards and nominations[]
AIR Awards[]
The Australian Independent Record Awards (known colloquially as the AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's independent music sector.
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2018 | See You Soon | Best Independent Album | Nominated | [43] |
ARIA Music Awards[]
The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of the music of Australia. Alex the Astronaut has received one nomination.[44]
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2020 | The Theory of Absolutely Nothing | Breakthrough Artist – Release | Nominated | [45] |
J Awards[]
The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2017 | Herself | Unearthed Artist of the Year | Won | [46] |
National Live Music Awards[]
The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) are a broad recognition of Australia's diverse live industry, celebrating the success of the Australian live scene. The awards commenced in 2016.
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
rowspan="4"| 2018 | Herself | Best New Act | Nominated | [47][48] |
People's Choice – Best Live Voice of the Year | Nominated |
References[]
- ^ "Alex the Astronaut announces new single 'Already Home' + live shows". International Music Concepts. 11 January 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
- ^ Mathieson, Craig (30 March 2017). "Alex the Astronaut's debut EP cleared for lift off". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
- ^ Newstead, Al (22 February 2017). "Meet Alex The Astronaut, the must-hear science n soccer prodigy". Triple J. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
- ^ "Alex Lynn – 2016 Women's Soccer". LIU Post Pioneers. 2016. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Butler, Josh (25 April 2017). "Alex The Astronaut is the busiest woman in music". HuffPost Australia. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
- ^ Newstead, Al. "Alex the Astronaut bares all on 'Not Worth Hiding'". Triple J. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
- ^ Brewster, Will (1 November 2017). "Methyl Ethel, A.B Original lead J Award nominations". Mixdown. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
- ^ Armstrong, Clare (13 October 2017). "Alex the Astronaut gets Rocket man Sir Elton John's seal of approval". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
- ^ "Eight more Aussie acts added to UK's The Great Escape". The Music Network. The Music Network. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
- ^ "Review: Primavera Sound in Barcelona cements itself as the world’s finest music festival". The AU Review, 8 June 2018, Larry Heath
- ^ Fuamoli, Sose. "Alex the Astronaut announces the 'Space Tour' for the end of 2018". triple J. ABC. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
- ^ http://www.brooklynvegan.com/24-new-songs-out-today-8/
- ^ . Shazam https://www.shazam.com/charts/top-200/australia. Missing or empty
|title=
(help) - ^ Split The Sky (Official Video) - Alex The Astronaut, retrieved 7 April 2020
- ^ @AtheAstronaut (1 April 2020). "Hey @James_Phelps & @OliverPhelps I'm a musician in isolation in Australia. I'm a mega Harry Potter fan, I've been to HP world while I was on tour in the UK and tomorrow I have a song coming out about watching HP to cope with the world. Would you like to premiere it?" (Tweet). Retrieved 7 April 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c Martin, Josh (7 May 2020). "Alex the Astronaut announces long-awaited debut album, 'The Theory of Absolutely Nothing'". NME Australia. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
- ^ Martin, Josh (21 May 2020). "Alex the Astronaut plays tennis with Lindy Morrison in new music video for 'Caught in the Middle'". NME Australia. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
- ^ Newstead, Al (26 August 2020). "Alex the Astronaut writes songs to help her (and us) make sense of life's Big Stuff". Triple J. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
- ^ Long, Jen (19 August 2020). "On the Rise: Alex the Astronaut". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
- ^ Shutler, Ali (20 August 2020). "Alex the Astronaut – 'The Theory of Absolutely Nothing' review: a debut that's out of this world". NME Australia. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
- ^ "Alex the Astronaut reveals she has autism in first ever stand-up set". Hack on Triple J. 14 May 2021. Archived from the original on 14 May 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
- ^ Yates, Rod (8 February 2017). "Future Is Now: Alex the Astronaut". Rolling Stone Australia. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
- ^ Davies, Hayden (8 August 2019). "This Week's Must-Listen Singles: Ruel, Cxloe, Alex the Astronaut + more". Pilerats. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
- ^ "ARIA Australian Top 50 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. 31 August 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "Alex the Astronaut: The Theory of Absolutely Nothing – Record Shop". Record Shop. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ^ "The Space Tour Live (At Your Place) by Alex the Astronaut on Apple Music". Apple Music. 26 April 2019. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
- ^ "To Whom It May Concern – EP by Alex the Astronaut on Apple Music". Apple Music. 31 March 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
- ^ "Alex The Astronaut – Notes From An Astronaut (Vinyl LP)". Wah Wah Records. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ^ "See You Soon – EP by Alex the Astronaut on Apple Music". Apple Music. 6 October 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
- ^ "Already Home – Single by Alex the Astronaut on Apple Music". Apple Music. 11 November 2016. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
- ^ "Rockstar City – Single by Alex the Astronaut on Apple Music". Apple Music. 20 February 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
- ^ Chaffey, Jesse (6 September 2017). "Alex the Astronaut's coming out jam 'Not Worth Hiding'". Frooty. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
- ^ "Waste of Time – Single by Alex the Astronaut on Apple Music". Apple Music. 19 July 2018. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
- ^ "Happy Song – Single by Alex the Astronaut on Apple Music". Apple Music. 24 October 2018. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
- ^ "Happy Song (Shed Mix) – Single by Alex the Astronaut on Apple Music". Apple Music. 7 December 2018. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
- ^ Newstead, Al (8 August 2019). "First Spin: Alex the Astronaut's 'I Like to Dance' is a complex tale of domestic violence". Triple J. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
- ^ "I Think You're Great – Single by Alex the Astronaut on Apple Music". Apple Music. 21 January 2020. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
- ^ Martin, Josh (2 April 2020). "Alex the Astronaut shares new song and video 'Split The Sky'". NME Australia. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
- ^ Gallagher, Alex (13 June 2020). "Alex the Astronaut shares new music video for 'Banksia'". NME Australia. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
- ^ Bruce, Jasper (9 July 2020). "Alex the Astronaut shares new track 'Christmas in July'". NME Australia. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
- ^ Bruce, Jasper (28 August 2020). "Watch Alex the Astronaut perform 'Caught in the Middle' live at Enmore". Happy Mag. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
- ^ "Dickheads (feat. Alex the Astronaut) – Single by Tuka on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 5 February 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
- ^ "2018 AIR Awards Nominees". The Industry Observer. 17 April 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
- ^ "And the 2020 ARIA Awards Go To…". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 26 November 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- ^ "ARIA Awards 2020 Nominees". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- ^ "J Awards: 2017". Triple J. 2017. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
- ^ "NLMA announce 2018 nominees and Live legend". National Live Music Awards (NLMAs). 2 October 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
- ^ "Winners of the 2018 NLMA". National Live Music Awards (NLMAs). December 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
External links[]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Alex the Astronaut. |
- 1995 births
- Australian female singer-songwriters
- Australian women's soccer players
- 21st-century Australian singers
- 21st-century Australian women singers
- Living people
- LIU Post Pioneers women's soccer players
- LIU Post alumni
- Long Island University alumni
- Musicians from Sydney