Liverpool’s Astles gently sings to the lost on 'Joe Are You Listening?'
Taking the chance to say what matters when it’s too late, Liverpool’s Astles gently sings back through time on his latest single…
Joe Are You Listening?
Singing the essence of his rich, emotive and beautifully constructed debut album, Astles sings to the kindred spirit uncle lost too soon
Soundtrack For The 21 Bus Home, released next week, promises 11-tracks connecting the joys and pains of family, love and music
Astles – Joe Are You Listening?
OUT NOW
From the album, Soundtrack For The 21 Bus Home – Out 30/5/25
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Lost to a family, forever absent and yet completely present through the songs of Liverpool’s new favourite singer-songwriter. a tragically lost yet always loved uncle is called to through time on Astles’ new single, Joe Are You Listening? – OUT NOW. A beacon that sits at the top of the musician’s upcoming, debut album, just over two-minutes of swirling, constellatory melody opens the door into a relationship that lives through objects, memories and music.
Soundtrack For The 21 Bus Home, released on Fri 30 May 2025, takes its title from a cassette tape found in the belongings of Astles’ uncle who found life too much to bear when his nephew was just two-years-old. Growing up out of sound and sight of his Uncle Joseph’s influence, Astles’ found his own way to a complete obsession with music, art and words. The link between them only became obvious when his grandparents handed down Joseph’s records, ticket stubs, band t-shirts and more.
Talking about his uncle, Joseph Deans, in recent media interviews, Astles says he was always spoken about after his death as “a cool lad who could get everyone into gigs. He had all the guest lists and was always on to the cool stuff.” A music booker who worked at Liverpool’s legendary Royal Court Theatre, Deans had left a cassette titled Soundtrack For The 21 Bus Home in his possessions before taking his own life, featuring an eclectic mix of songs to accompany him home after work or a gig.
Across the album of the same name’s coherent journey of understated bedroom introspection as well as richly-orchestrated, ambitious, symphonic indie-pop, Astles also explores his thriving, present day family connections on the heart-melting 2 And A Bit (Song For A Brother) and even brings in his grandfather for a cameo on Remember Us? Yet, on Joe Are You Listening? the album opener is all about one man.
“This song is an attempt for me to communicate the importance my uncle has had in my life, despite me being only two when he tragically lost his life,” says Astles. “When I heard the opening sample from the song on my uncle's original tape, it was so haunting. ‘If you were to die this evening, with no opportunity to communicate with anyone, what would you most regret not having told someone?’ It felt like some sort of message. I became more determined to tell his story in some way, or just honor the family we are a part of. Joe, if you are listening, I hope you like the album.”
Released on vinyl, CD and digital formats, Soundtrack For The 21 Bus Home was written and recorded in Astles’ home city with a supporting cast of his close-knit band of musician friends and produced by Sophie Ellis, a collaborator with the influential INFLO (Michael Kiwanuka, Little Simz). Officially announcing his album in February with the “Super Mario 8-Bit Funeral” single We Could’ve Been Anything, he revealed that Bill Ryder-Jones had been inspired to add guitars after hearing playbacks in the studio.
Every inch the DIY artist, Astles began putting out singles from the then-unnamed project in late 2024, including the singles Any Kind, and This One’s For You, winning the attention of fellow musicians. Hometown legend, Michael Head, invited Astles to open his landmark, homecoming show in December 2024, linking arms over the pure love of songwriting.
Putting together as big a multi-instrumental live sound to do his brass and strings-laden recordings justice on stage as possible, Astles prepares not only for the release of the album but a run of summer live dates. All upcoming shows are as follows:
Wed 18 June: London, The Waiting Room
Thu 19 June: Leeds, Oporto
Fri 20 June, Glasgow, The Attic (Garage)
Sat 21 June: Liverpool, The Bluecoat
Thu 14 August: Crickhowell, Green Man Festival
For the most up-to-date information on gigs and new music, for album pre-orders, details of special events and more, connect with Astles online at:
https://www.instagram.com/astlesmusic
https://www.facebook.com/astlesmusic
https://x.com/astlesmusic
