I: Rachel June & Ellie Shaw
New Single: Sea of People. OUT NOW
Introducing Archy & the Astronauts, an explosive trio whose gritty, hard-hitting riffs and driving walls of sound propel listeners on a journey through the stars. With influences gathered from across the musical galaxy, their songs are packed with witty lyricism and celestial hooks. They echo the sonic orbits of industry heavyweights whilst inhabiting a space of their own. Onstage, they command far beyond their years with the force of a supernova, igniting their performances with boundless energy and precision. Aged 21-23, the electric trio have been championed by national and local radio from the likes of Dean Jackson (BBC Radio) and Johnny Doom (Kerrang Radio).
For someone that is yet to discover you, how would you describe your music?
A massive wall of sound with driving riffs, anthemic choruses, and enough hooks to stay stuck in your head for days. It’s alternative rock that balances big energy with a fresh, dynamic feel—something for both moshers and casual listeners alike.
What inspired you as an artist?
Seeing the bands we look up to smash it on stage definitely keeps us motivated, but it’s also the energy of live shows and the people around us. We’ve got a great scene with some really talented bands, and that healthy competition pushes us to be better. At the end of the day, we want to turn our passion into a career, and that keeps us moving forward.
What Is Yor Pre-Show Routine? Do you have any Diva demands?
A mix of stretches, tea, sushi, and far too much coffee. Also, making sure we don’t psych ourselves out before stepping on stage. Keeping the energy up and getting into the right headspace is key.
Where do you feel you fit into the music Landscape?
We sit somewhere between alternative rock and heavier, riff-driven music. We’re inspired by everything from indie to metal, and that fusion lets us create songs that can be both heavy and catchy. We aim to bring the best of both worlds.
What are your favourite musical genres, and are there any you dislike?
Alternative rock is the big one for us, but we’re all influenced by a broad spectrum—pop punk, indie, metal, and beyond. That said, overly commercial pop doesn’t really do it for us, but even then, every genre has its gems.
Is there a story behind The Bands Name?
We went through a lot of terrible ideas (“Archy and the Aardvarks” nearly happened), but then Nathan’s mate suggested “Astronauts.” It just clicked, and here we are.
What would you say is your greatest strength as an Band?
Our bond. We built this band on friendship first, and that means we’ve got a solid foundation to weather the chaos of the industry. Also, our live shows—we bring a lot of energy, and people can feel that when we play.
What would you say is your greatest weakness as an artist?
Comparing ourselves to other bands. It’s easy to get caught up in who’s doing what, but we’ve learned that focusing on our own journey is what really matters.
What can fans expect from your new single ‘Sea of People ’
A perfect snapshot of our evolving sound—massive choruses, bouncy basslines, and riffs that hit hard. It’s the kind of track you’ll be singing along to after one listen, and headbanging to by the second.
What music artist would you say have influenced your work?
Royal Blood is a massive one for us, alongside Muse, Foo Fighters, The Amazons, Nothing But Thieves, and Tigercub. We also take inspiration from all over—whether that’s Nirvana, Stevie Wonder, or even Britney Spears. If it’s got a great groove or a killer hook, we’re into it.
Who would you most like to collaborate with artistically?
Royal Blood, hands down. Their drum and bass work is insane. Also, Muse, because they’ve pushed the boundaries of what a three-piece can do. Collaborating with artists outside our genre would be amazing too—Tyler, the Creator, Jack White, or even someone like Grimes could bring something really fresh to our sound.
What was your worst performance?
We played a gig in Sheffield where everything that could go wrong, did. The crowd was basically two people, Nathan’s bass broke, Archy’s voice cracked, Travis couldn’t hear anything, and the sound guy disappeared because he was running two other stages. A truly humbling experience, but hey—cheaper than a rehearsal room.
What was the most difficult obstacle you have ever faced and how did you overcome it?
After putting everything into the band post-COVID, we hit a real slump. The industry is tough, and watching friends progress in more traditional careers while we pushed through setbacks wasn’t easy. But we’ve learned to zoom out and see the bigger picture—progress happens in waves, and consistency is key. If you want it badly enough, you make it happen.
What is your creative process when making music. Do you work with others or is there just you?
It’s a proper collaborative effort. One of us will bring in a riff or an idea, and we jam it out together. If something clicks, we expand on it—if not, we shelve it and come back later. Lyrics usually start with a metaphor or a phrase, which we shape into something that tells a story or creates an atmosphere.
Where do you see your musical career in 10 years?
Playing to a ‘sea of people’. Selling out shows, making a living from music, and being in a position to support the next wave of up-and-coming artists. Music has the power to unify and heal, and we want to use our platform to create something meaningful while staying true to what we believe in.
Socials
Instagram – @and_the_astronauts Tik Tok- @and_the_astronauts YouTube- Archy & The Astronauts – You Tube
