Alex the Astronaut

Alexandra Lynn (born 3 March 1995), known professionally as Alex the Astronaut, is an Australian folk-pop singer-songwriter.

Alex the Astronaut
Lynn in 2020
Background information
Birth nameAlexandra Lynn
Born (1995-03-03) 3 March 1995
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • drums
  • piano/keyboard
Years active2016–present
Labels
  • Minkowski Records
Websitealextheastronaut.com

Her debut album The Theory of Absolutely Nothing was released on 21 August 2020, and peaked at number 22 on the ARIA Album's Chart. Her second studio album How to Grow a Sunflower Underwater was released on 22 July 2022.[1]

Lynn has her own record label, Minkowski Records, which was named after the Minkowski diagram.[2]

Early life

Lynn graduated from Pymble Ladies' College in Sydney before studying maths and physics at Long Island University, New York,[3] including a thesis on sonoluminescence,[4] where she played soccer for the LIU Post Pioneers as a forward.[5]

Career

2017–2018: To Whom It May Concern and See You Soon

Lynn released her debut EP To Whom It May Concern as Alex the Astronaut in 2017. The EP features the single "Already Home", which was described by HuffPost Australia as "a melancholy number about a bus ride and ruminations on the mundanities of life".[6]

Lynn's second EP See You Soon featured the single "Not Worth Hiding",[7] and was nominated for a J Award for Unearthed Artist of the Year in 2017.[8]

"Not Worth Hiding" ranked at number 23 on Triple J Hottest 100 and it described as an unofficial anthem for the "Yes" campaign in the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey.[9]

Lynn performed at The Great Escape Festival[10] in Brighton, UK, and at the Primavera Sound Festival in Barcelona.[11] Alex the Astronaut commenced their first national Australian headline tour in November 2018.[12]

2019–2020: The Theory of Absolutely Nothing

Lynn released the single "I Like To Dance" on 8 August 2019. which Brooklyn Vegan described as "tuneful folk-pop to tell a haunting story".[13]

In January 2020, Alex the Astronaut released the single "I Think You're Great" and "Split the Sky" in April.[14] The track references the film franchise, Harry Potter, in the opening line where Lynn sings "I've been colder, watching Harry Potter looking older". Alex The Astronaut tweeted the inspiration upon release, and James and Oliver Phelps, who played the Weasley twins, both retweeted the post.[15]

In May 2020, Lynn announced her album The Theory of Absolutely Nothing, scheduled for release on 21 August 2020, and released a subsequent single titled "Lost".[16]

The Theory of Absolutely Nothing was released on 21 August 2020, with Lynn releasing the single "Caught in the Middle" on the same day.[17] The accompanying music video for the single features an appearance from Lindy Morrison of the Go-Betweens, and shows the two playing tennis and drumming competitively.[18] The Line of Best Fit described her debut album as "a record packed full of vibrant, witty, insightful and heart-rending storytelling, all hooked around rich and tender folk-pop melodies".[19] NME Australia praised the album as a "dynamic, ambitious debut" and gave it a five-star review.[20]

2021–present: How to Grow a Sunflower Underwater

On 19 November 2021, Lynn released "Growing Up"[21] which according to triple j, is her "favourite, most honest song" she has written.[22] Its sequel "Airport" was released in January 2022.[23] On 3 March 2022, Lynn released "Octopus" and announced the release of her second studio album, How to Grow a Sunflower Underwater.[1]

Personal life

Lynn identifies herself as gay.[24] They are not at a definitive spot in their gender identity journey.[25] Lynn uses she/they pronouns.[26] Lynn was diagnosed with autism in May 2021.[27]

Musical style and influences

Lynn's music has been described as folk pop and folktronica, and has drawn comparisons to Australian musician Paul Kelly.[6][28]

Reception

Lynn has been described as one of Australia's "most powerful and important songwriters".[29]

Discography
Lynn performing at Haldern Pop in 2019.

Studio albums
List of studio albums, with release date, label, and selected chart positions shown
Title Details Peak chart positions
AUS
[30]
The Theory of Absolutely Nothing 22
How to Grow a Sunflower Underwater 47
[32]

Live albums
List of live albums released, with label and release date shown
Title Details
The Space Tour Live (At Your Place)
  • Released: 26 April 2019[33]
  • Label: Minkowski
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming

Extended plays
List of EPs, with label and release date shown
Title Details
To Whom It May Concern
  • Released: 31 March 2017[34]
  • Label: Minkowski Records
  • Formats: LP,[upper-alpha 1] digital download, streaming
See You Soon
  • Released: 6 October 2017[36]
  • Label: Minkowski
  • Formats: LP,[upper-alpha 1] digital download, streaming

As lead artist
List of singles, with year released and album details shown
Title Year Album
"Already Home"[37] 2016 To Whom It May Concern
"Rockstar City"[38] 2017
"Not Worth Hiding"[39] See You Soon
"Waste of Time"[40] 2018 Non-album single
"Happy Song"
(original or Shed mix)[41][42]		 The Theory of Absolutely Nothing
"I Like to Dance"[43] 2019
"I Think You're Great"[44] 2020
"Split the Sky"[45]
"Lost"[16]
"Banksia"[46]
"Christmas in July"[47]
"Caught in the Middle"[48]
"Growing Up"[21] 2021 How to Grow a Sunflower Underwater
"Airport"[23] 2022
"Octopus"[1]
"Haircut"[49]
"Ride My Bike"[50]
"South London"[51]
List of singles, with year released and album shown
Title Year Album
"Dickheads"
(Tuka featuring Alex the Astronaut)[52]		 2020 Non-album single

Notes

  1. To Whom It May Concern and See You Soon received a physical release as Notes from an Astronaut.[35]

Awards and nominations

AIR Awards

The Australian Independent Record Awards (known colloquially as the AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's independent music sector.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2018 See You Soon Best Independent Album Nominated [53]

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of the music of Australia. Alex the Astronaut has received one nomination.[54]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2020 The Theory of Absolutely Nothing Breakthrough Artist – Release Nominated [55]
2022 How to Grow a Sunflower Underwater Best Adult Contemporary Album Pending [56]
Giulia Giannini McGauran for Alex the Astronaut How to Grow a Sunflower Underwater Best Cover Art Pending

J Awards

The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2017 Herself Unearthed Artist of the Year Won [57]

National Live Music Awards

The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) are a broad recognition of Australia's diverse live industry, celebrating the success of the Australian live scene. The awards commenced in 2016.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2018 Herself Best New Act Nominated [58][59]
People's Choice – Best Live Voice of the Year Nominated

References
  1. "Alex The Astronaut Announces Sophomore Album". Music Feeds. 3 March 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  2. "Alex the Astronaut announces new single 'Already Home' + live shows". International Music Concepts. 11 January 2017. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  3. Mathieson, Craig (30 March 2017). "Alex the Astronaut's debut EP cleared for lift off". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  4. Newstead, Al (22 February 2017). "Meet Alex The Astronaut, the must-hear science n soccer prodigy". Triple J. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  5. "Alex Lynn – 2016 Women's Soccer". LIU Post Pioneers. 2016. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  6. Butler, Josh (25 April 2017). "Alex The Astronaut is the busiest woman in music". HuffPost Australia. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  7. Newstead, Al (22 August 2017). "Alex the Astronaut bares all on 'Not Worth Hiding'". Triple J. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
  8. Brewster, Will (1 November 2017). "Methyl Ethel, A.B Original lead J Award nominations". Mixdown. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  9. Armstrong, Clare (13 October 2017). "Alex the Astronaut gets Rocket man Sir Elton John's seal of approval". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  10. "Eight more Aussie acts added to UK's The Great Escape". The Music Network. February 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  11. "Review: Primavera Sound in Barcelona cements itself as the world’s finest music festival". The AU Review, 8 June 2018, Larry Heath
  12. Fuamoli, Sose (12 September 2018). "Alex the Astronaut announces the 'Space Tour' for the end of 2018". triple J. ABC. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  13. "24 New Songs Out Today".
  14. Split The Sky (Official Video) - Alex The Astronaut, retrieved 7 April 2020
  15. @AtheAstronaut (1 April 2020). "Hey @James_Phelps & @OliverPhelps I'm a musician in isolation in Australia. I'm a mega Harry Potter fan, I've been to HP world while I was on tour in the UK and tomorrow I have a song coming out about watching HP to cope with the world. Would you like to premiere it?" (Tweet). Retrieved 7 April 2020 – via Twitter.
  16. Martin, Josh (7 May 2020). "Alex the Astronaut announces long-awaited debut album, 'The Theory of Absolutely Nothing'". NME Australia. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  17. Martin, Josh (21 May 2020). "Alex the Astronaut plays tennis with Lindy Morrison in new music video for 'Caught in the Middle'". NME Australia. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  18. Newstead, Al (26 August 2020). "Alex the Astronaut writes songs to help her (and us) make sense of life's Big Stuff". Triple J. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  19. Long, Jen (19 August 2020). "On the Rise: Alex the Astronaut". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  20. Shutler, Ali (20 August 2020). "Alex the Astronaut – 'The Theory of Absolutely Nothing' review: a debut that's out of this world". NME Australia. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  21. "Alex The Astronaut Debuts New Music "Growing Up"". noise11. 19 November 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  22. Newstead, Al (19 November 2021). "First Play: Alex The Astronaut hits you where it counts on 'Growing Up'". Triple J. ABC. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  23. "Alex the Astronaut goes the distance for love in new single "Airport"". NME Australia. 21 January 2022. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  24. Nguyen, Giselle Au-Nhien (19 August 2020). "Alex the Astronaut: 'I didn't want to tell anyone that I was gay, let alone millions of strangers'". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  25. Astronaut, Alex The. "My Shaved Head Makes Me Feel Like Me: Alex The Astronaut On Gender & Queerness". www.refinery29.com. Retrieved 30 March 2023. "I'm not at a definitive spot in my journey, but what I'm certain about is the discomfort many people have speaking about gender — and the opportunity there is for that to change."
  26. "alex.the.astronaut". Alex The Astronaut. 27 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
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  29. Davies, Hayden (8 August 2019). "This Week's Must-Listen Singles: Ruel, Cxloe, Alex the Astronaut + more". Pilerats. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
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  32. "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 1 August 2022. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
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  37. "Already Home – Single by Alex the Astronaut on Apple Music". Apple Music. 11 November 2016. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  38. "Rockstar City – Single by Alex the Astronaut on Apple Music". Apple Music. 20 February 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  39. Chaffey, Jesse (6 September 2017). "Alex the Astronaut's coming out jam 'Not Worth Hiding'". Frooty. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  40. "Waste of Time – Single by Alex the Astronaut on Apple Music". Apple Music. 19 July 2018. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
  41. "Happy Song – Single by Alex the Astronaut on Apple Music". Apple Music. 24 October 2018. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  42. "Happy Song (Shed Mix) – Single by Alex the Astronaut on Apple Music". Apple Music. 7 December 2018. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
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  46. Gallagher, Alex (13 June 2020). "Alex the Astronaut shares new music video for 'Banksia'". NME Australia. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  47. Bruce, Jasper (9 July 2020). "Alex the Astronaut shares new track 'Christmas in July'". NME Australia. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  48. Bruce, Jasper (28 August 2020). "Watch Alex the Astronaut perform 'Caught in the Middle' live at Enmore". Happy Mag. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
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  51. "Alex The Astronaut shares 'South London' music video, directed by childhood friend". NME. 27 October 2022. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  52. "Dickheads (feat. Alex the Astronaut) – Single by Tuka on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 5 February 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
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  58. "NLMA announce 2018 nominees and Live legend". National Live Music Awards (NLMAs). 2 October 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  59. "Winners of the 2018 NLMA". National Live Music Awards (NLMAs). December 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
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