Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Asty
ASTY is a modern alternative metal project that blends raw emotional intensity with simplicity, elegance, and strong visual identity. The music balances power and vulnerability, combining heavy riffs with expressive vocals and a clear, direct emotional message.
The project explores themes of inner conflict, personal struggle, love, and catharsis — not as abstract concepts, but as lived experiences. ASTY’s sound is built to resonate beyond genre boundaries, aiming to connect even with listeners who may not usually listen to heavy music.
While the studio work is currently a deeply personal, solo-driven process, ASTY is also a live-focused project with a dedicated band, where performances become a space for release, connection, and shared emotion. The goal is not complexity for its own sake, but honesty, impact, and emotional clarity.What is your earliest memory connected to music?
My earliest memory connected to music goes back to kindergarten. We had a music teacher who played the piano while we danced, played, and took part in different activities. Even back then, I was fascinated by how music could blend with movement, create emotions, and shape the overall atmosphere.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
Creating music has always felt natural to me, something that has been with me since childhood. I was almost constantly listening to music. It started with classic rock, then I became deeply interested in early 2000s hip-hop, artists like 50 Cent and Eminem, and later I returned to rock and metal — bands such as Rammstein, Slipknot, Korn, and others.
Even when I wasn’t listening to music, it was always playing in my head. I was constantly inventing something — my own melodies, vocal lines in an imaginary language. In my imagination, I would often take these songs all the way to their final form, even during periods when I didn’t play guitar yet, couldn’t record music, or simply didn’t know how.
At some point, I realized that creating and recording music is truly what I’m meant to do.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
This question directly connects to the previous one. I’ve always felt that this project existed long before the first track was recorded or even before the project had a name. I consider its real beginning to be my high school years. Some of the tracks that later appeared on the LOVE album were already being written back then. Of course, their final sound is very different from the early drafts, but the fact that these ideas were born so long ago still impresses me.
Usually, a project’s starting point is associated with the release of its first album — in that sense, the official beginning would be May 30, 2025.
When it comes to music and live performances, I currently see them as two separate dimensions. I have an amazing live band: guitarists Roman and Valeriy, and drummer Danil. At the moment, I’m solely responsible for the music, lyrics, arrangements, and the overall creative direction. Over time, I believe we’ll start writing music together, but right now it’s important for us to focus primarily on live performances.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
Emotion. Passion. Power. Simplicity. Elegance. Art.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
I learned that music doesn’t need to be complicated. There’s no reason to overdo things — adding unnecessary breaks, bends, or harmonics just for the sake of technique. A song should be simple, accessible, and clear to the listener. Otherwise, it becomes empty technical showmanship.
I want my music to be understandable even for people who don’t know the language, and even for those who don’t usually listen to this genre. It should feel open and easy to connect with.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
At the moment, I create music in a home studio environment. It’s still studio work, but not an ideal, fully equipped space where you can achieve the highest possible production quality. That probably leaves its mark on the sound.
I record guitars digitally — without large amp stacks or complex setups, just the guitar straight into the interface. The drums are digital as well, but built using a high-quality instrument library. Vocals are recorded with an affordable sE Electronics microphone.
That said, the settings and tools I’m using right now largely define the sound I want to achieve. In future albums, I plan to slightly change and evolve the production, but this stage is an important part of my artistic identity.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
To be honest, I don’t listen to indie artists that much. I’m more drawn to older music — rock’n’roll, jazz, and blues. It’s perfect background music that creates a certain mood. From time to time, I also return to my favorite tracks from heavier genres.
Among indie musicians, I’d highlight ATOW. He’s a very talented artist from Russia who is just starting to gain momentum. I really appreciate how thoughtfully and creatively he approaches his sound, carefully selecting every instrument. He’s also a very pleasant person — we’ve had the chance to talk, he reviewed my album, and gave me a few truly valuable pieces of advice.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
Very strongly. I truly believe that if an artist doesn’t leave a personal imprint on their work, it starts to feel unnatural, artificial, and empty. Even if you’re singing about something dark, the words must resonate with your soul. Even if you don’t fully agree with the lyrical character of a song, your personal presence should still be there.
Music works the same way: every riff and every note you write becomes a reflection of your artistic vision and inner state.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
I want listeners to feel that they are not alone. It’s important to me that my music resonates with anyone — someone might connect with the vocals, someone with the music itself, and someone with the emotion behind the song. I believe a song should work on multiple levels and offer different points of connection for different people.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
It’s a very important, but also a very painful lesson. Most people don’t really care about your music — no matter how professionally you perform, record, or play. In fact, many people are subconsciously waiting for you to fail and expect you not to succeed. There will always be someone saying that your genre is outdated, that you’re not unique, or that you’re just copying someone else.
The most important thing is to keep doing what you do. To create music that resonates with you personally and represents what you do best. Only then does it start to work, and only then can your music truly connect with listeners.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
I don’t have a specific dream venue or festival. I already feel like I’m living my dream, even though I’m still closer to the beginning of the journey. Of course, I dream of bigger stages and larger shows that my live band and I will be able to create together.
But by appreciating the present moment — performing on smaller stages and seeing that what you do genuinely works and resonates with people — you start to understand that you’re on the right path. And sooner or later, that path will naturally lead you to a big stage or a major festival.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
From the past — Elvis Presley, without a doubt. He’s a true symbol of charisma and success. Any collaboration with an artist like that, even today, would naturally attract massive attention.
From the present — Richard Kruspe. Even though his Rammstein bandmate Till has achieved greater success with his solo work, Richard approaches music in a much more creative and artistic way, in my opinion. I feel like he would join a collaboration not for commercial reasons or status, but simply because he genuinely liked the track.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
All major platforms: https://band.link/asty_theband
Instagram: https://instagram.com/_asty17
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@asty-music
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/37LZCXdkIKiCYW52Xexcag
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
Looking ahead, the next chapter involves releasing new music, taking a more professional and refined approach to live performances, and expanding the concert reach by performing in new cities and venues.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
I want to be a form of catharsis for the listener. At live shows — a way to forget about everyday problems for a while, to come in, release all the built-up energy and negativity, and leave charged with love and positivity.
And in my studio work — simply to be a good soundtrack for someone’s life, something that accompanies them at the right moment.
