Austra is the brainchild of Canadian singer-songwriter, producer, and classically trained musician Katie Stelmanis. Named after the Latvian goddess of light, the project was formed in 2009 and quickly became known for its unique blend of electronic, pop, and operatic elements. Stelmanis's powerful vocals and evocative lyrics are complemented by the talents of drummer Maya Postepski and bassist Dorian Wolf, with their sonic palette being further expanded by the use of synthesizers and other electronic instruments.

The group first gained critical acclaim with their 2011 debut album, "Feel It Break," which was shortlisted for the prestigious Polaris Music Prize and positioned them as one of the emerging acts in the Canadian indie music scene. Over the years, Austra has continued to evolve both musically and thematically, exploring complex emotional landscapes and socio-political issues. Their most recent album, "HiRUDiN," released in 2020, marks a departure from the dark, gothic tones of their earlier work, diving into more intimate and organic soundscapes. The subsequent remixes of tracks from this album, including "Mountain Baby (Octo Octa's Contemplation Mix)" and "Risk It (I. JORDAN Remix)," showcase the dynamic and collaborative spirit of the electronic music community, while Stelmanis's scoring work on "Swan Song" displays her versatility and breadth as a composer.

Genres

Art Pop

Canadian Electropop

Metropopolis

Neo-synthpop

Related Artists

Grimes

St. Vincent

FKA twigs

Fever Ray

Kali Uchis

Tove Lo

Carly Rae Jepsen

M83

Lykke Li

Zola Jesus

Phantogram

Robyn

Latest Release

Swan Song (Original Score)

Austra

Album - 14 Tracks - Released December 8, 2023