Earthstar (band)
American band in the German Kosmische Musik scene.
Earthstar is an electronic music group from Utica, New York, that relocated to Germany after encouragement from Klaus Schulze. The band is notable as the only American group to participate in Germany's Kosmische Musik scene at its height. Schulze produced their second album, French Skyline, and Earthstar is recognized for Craig Wuest's heavy use of the Mellotron and the rare Birotron.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Utica, New York, United States
- Genre
- Electronic music
- Kosmische musik
- Ambient music
- Years active
- 1977–1983
- Label
- Sky Records, Moontower Records
- Associated acts
- Klaus Schulze
- Land
- Dennis Rea
- Daniel Zongrone
Facts from the source article.
History
Earthstar was the creation of keyboardist and synthesist Craig Wuest, a native of Utica, New York, who was deeply influenced by 1970s German electronic music acts such as Klaus Schulze, Popol Vuh, Tangerine Dream, Kraftwerk, and Harmonia. Around the same time, Utica guitarist Dennis Rea had formed an eccentric progressive rock band called Zuir. Rea later noted that because they were the only two adventurous music acts in town, collaboration between Wuest and the members of Zuir was inevitable.
Rea recalled that the group performed live only a handful of times, mostly at inappropriate venues like roadhouse bars and college beer halls, with predictable results. Wuest corresponded with Klaus Schulze, who encouraged Earthstar to come to Germany with the intention of signing them to his Innovative Communications label. Wuest sold his grand piano, which had been prominent on Salterbarty Tales, to finance the move. Much of French Skyline was recorded at Schulze's studios in Hambühren, West Germany, with additional recording at IC Studios in Ovelgönne, but Schulze's label never signed the band.
Instead, Earthstar's next three albums were released by Hamburg-based Sky Records, beginning with French Skyline in 1979, co-produced by Schulze and Wuest. The second Sky album, Atomkraft? Nein, Danke!, was an environmental tone poem recorded in 1979 and 1980 and released on February 1, 1981. A third album, Humans Only, recorded in 1981 and released the following year, resulted from a partnership between Wuest and Utica guitarist and songwriter Dan Hapanowicz.
Discography
Earthstar's albums include Salterbarty Tales (1978), French Skyline (1979), Atomkraft? Nein, Danke! (1981), and Humans Only (1982). The band also appeared on Sky Records samplers: Picture Music Instrumental - Vol. III (1980) with the track French Skyline Suite; Movement 1: Morning Song, Schwingungen - New Age Music Vol. I (1985) with White Cloud, and Schwingungen - New Age Music Vol. II (1986) with Latin Sirens Face The Wall. A compilation titled Collected Works was released in 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Earthstar (band) from?
Earthstar originated in Utica, New York, United States.
When was Earthstar (band) active?
Earthstar was active from 1977 to 1983.
Which record labels has Earthstar (band) released music on?
Earthstar has released music on Sky Records and Moontower Records.
More in American Ambient Music Groups
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