ASTRA will be opening the 2010 edition of NEARfest Saturday. With their heads floating in the
mist of Europe’s original psychedelic and progressive eras, ASTRA brings their melodic sound, symphonic landscapes and cosmic atmospheres to the East. They began their space odyssey under the winter sun of San Diego, Calif. in the year 2001, and with the joining of new drummer/multi-instrumentalist David Hurley in 2006 and guitar wizard Brian Ellis, the planets aligned and ASTRA was complete. Already making a name for themselves on the West Coast, they’ve shared the stage with such like-minded and diverse acts as Dungen, Winter Flowers,
Jennifer Gentle, Bigelf, and their good friends and San Diegan brethren Earthless - to name a few. The band released their debut album entitled “The Weirding” on Rise Above Records to rave reviews. mellotron lovers unite, NEARFest attendees get ready to settle in for an Astral
experience and welcome ASTRA to the festival’s extended family.

http://www.astratheband.com/