Astronautalis

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Astronautalis
Background information
Birth nameCharles Andrew Bothwell
Also known asAndy Bothwell
Born (1981-12-13) December 13, 1981 (age 42)
OriginJacksonville, Florida
Genres
Occupation(s)
Years active2003-present
Labels
Websiteastronautalis.com
Astronautalis at the WayBackWhen Festival 2017

Charles Andrew Bothwell (born December 13, 1981), better known by his stage name Astronautalis, is an American alternative hip hop artist currently based in Brooklyn, New York.

History[edit]

After gaining some recognition in local circles in Jacksonville, Florida and competing at Scribble Jam,[1] Astronautalis self-released his debut album, You and Yer Good Ideas, in 2003. He eventually signed with Fighting Records and the record was re-released in 2005, followed by his second album, The Mighty Ocean and Nine Dark Theaters, in 2006. He released the third album, Pomegranate, on Eyeball Records in 2008. In winter 2009, he toured with the Canadian indie rock band Tegan and Sara through Europe,[2] and supported them again through the spring of 2010 in Australia.[3] His fourth album, This Is Our Science, was released on Fake Four Inc. in 2011. His latest release, Cut the Body Loose, was released in 2016.

Astronautalis is a descendant of James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell, which is one of the reasons why his lyrics often deal with historical fiction.[4]

Style[edit]

Astronautalis has been described as "if Beck were a decade or so younger and had grown up more heavily immersed in hip-hop,"[5] with his rapping style noted for "blending styles of indie rock, electro, and talkin’ blues"[6] with hip-hop. He has described himself as "historical fiction hip-hop."[7]

During live performances, Astronautalis often performs a freestyle rap based on topics chosen by members of his audience.[8]

Controversies[edit]

In June 2020 Astronautalis was accused of sexual assault and physical abuse by a number of accounts on Instagram and Twitter. Astronautalis released a response admitting to this abuse and has since deleted all of his tweets and made his account private.[9]

Discography[edit]

Studio albums[edit]

Collaborative albums[edit]

Mixtapes[edit]

  • Dancehall Horn Sound!! (2010) (with DJ Fishr Pryce)

EPs[edit]

  • Meet Me Here (2004)
  • Texas Kinda Rhymes With Sexist (2005)
  • A Round Trip Ticket to China (2006)
  • Split EP (2006) (with Babel Fishh)
  • Gold Bones (2007)
  • Dang! Seven Freestyles in Seven Days (2008)
  • The Unfortunate Affairs of Mary and Earl (2008)
  • The Young Capitalist's Starter Kit (2008)
  • Daytrotter Sessions (2011)
  • This City Ain't Just a Skyline (2013)
  • SIKE! (2016)

Singles[edit]

  • "This Is the Place" (2013) (with Sims)
  • "The Rainmakers" b/w "Fallen Streets" (2013) (with Rickolus)
  • "MMMMMHMMMMM" b/w "Please Go" (2013) (with P.O.S, as Four Fists)
  • "The Dirt Bike" (2017) [11]
  • "Sick" (2017) [12]
  • "These Songs" (2017) [13]
  • "Bella Ciao" (2020)

Vinyl releases[edit]

  • You and Yer Good Ideas (2003) [Dual 12' Vinyl: Black]
  • Split Series Vol. 2 (2006) (with BabelFishh]) [12' Vinyl: 500 Black]
  • Pomegranate (2008) [12' Vinyl: Black, Ltd: White]
  • This Is Our Science (2011) [12' Vinyl: Black]
  • Astronautalis & Rickolus (2013) (with Rickolus) [1st Pressing: 100 Mixed Color (Hand-Numbered), 150 Red, 150 White, 250 Black; 2nd Pressing: 175 Lavender, 175 Blue]
  • Four Fists (2013) (with P.O.S) [500 Clear, 500 Red, 500 White, 500 Blue]
  • Double Exposure Vol 3. (2013) (with Chuck Ragan) [100 Blue, 200 White, 300 Red, 400 Black]
  • The Mighty Ocean & Nine Dark Theaters (2015) [Dual 12' Vinyl: 500 Swirled blue/white/clear]

Guest appearances & production credits[edit]

Guest appearances

Production credits

Videography[edit]

  • Trouble Hunters (2009)
  • The Wondersmith and His Sons (2010)
  • Contrails (2011)
  • This Is Our Science (2012)
  • Dimitri Mendeleev (2013)
  • SIKE! (2016)
  • Running Away From God (2016)
  • Kurt Cobain (2016)
  • Forest Fire (2017)

References[edit]

  1. ^ McNutt, Stephanie (March 22, 2010). "P.O.S., Dessa, and Astronautalis at Turner Hall". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on 2013-10-16.
  2. ^ "Astronautalis: A Year To Remember". Fresherthan. December 31, 2009. Archived from the original on 2012-08-24. Retrieved 2012-08-14.
  3. ^ Young, David (May 12, 2010). "Tegan & Sara + Astronautalis - Big Top Luna Park (07.05.10)". The AU Review. Archived from the original on October 16, 2013. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  4. ^ The Very Unfortunate Affairs of Mary & Earl liner notes. February 5, 2015.
  5. ^ Mason, Stewart. "You and Yer Good Ideas - Astronautalis". Allmusic.
  6. ^ "Fighting Records".
  7. ^ "Astronautalis discusses his 'historical fiction hip-hop'". North Texas Daily. October 21, 2011. Archived from the original on December 2, 2016.
  8. ^ Marvilli, Joe (March 15, 2011). "Astronautalis: Preparing for the "Midday Moon"". Consequence of Sound.
  9. ^ Hatfield, Amanda (30 June 2020). "Astronautalis admits to abuse following new allegations". BrooklynVegan.
  10. ^ "Astronautalis".
  11. ^ "Astronautalis The Dirt Bike". 23 March 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  12. ^ "Astronautalis Sick".
  13. ^ "Astronautalis These Songs".

External links[edit]