Situated somewhere between jazztronica, ambient electronic, and chamber pop, San Francisco-based Late Aster’s music has been described as producing “unprecedented sounds” (SF Chronicle) that “on paper [] shouldn’t work, but it does.” (Tape-Op) Their first release, an EP called “True and Toxic” (2021), articulated a kaleidoscopic theory of music grounded in the electronic processing of trumpet and French horn and supported by meticulous songwriting, instrumentation, and sound-sculpting.
Featuring Aaron Messing (vocals, keyboards, trumpet) and Anni Hochhalter (vocals, French horn, drum machine), Late Aster's live performances have the look of two electronic DJs, with training in classical and jazz music, experimenting with brass instruments and effects pedals. The group's studio recordings also feature Charles Mueller (recording engineer, guitar) and Cameron LeCrone (drums), freeing the music to flow from song to song as though slowly revealing the contours of a Calabi–Yau manifold.