Hailing from the cultural backwater of deepest Northamptonshire, Astral T’s childhood was no less than colourful. Starting innocently enough with a singing role in the Village Church Choir, this Sunday-service chore laid the foundation for her later passion in singing and song-writing.

However her path wasn’t all straightforward. Having a gay dad in the 70s was a tough call as was the seemingly endless carnival of campness that passed through their house. With hindsight she realises now what a lucky individual she was to have experienced such a colourful childhood. He taught her many things in life – women with deep voices were called ‘it’, that his male partner Steve cooking fairy cakes was a totally acceptable concept (it was the 70s) and that leather and studs go hand-in-hand and should be worn daily. However, his main influence was in teaching her to enjoy music (not to mention, robotic dancing). Early 80s electronica was the beginning but away from this hedonistic role model aka ‘dad’, Astral T developed her own fascinations with electronica…

Mesmerised by the brightly-coloured tees, smiley-faced bandanas and oversized dungarees worn by friends’ older brothers and sisters, it wasn’t too long before the rave/acid scene drew her in. Her new-found hedonism challenged the system and made her feel part of a secret society and though the outdoor raves disbanded through tighter regulations and mismanagement, this fragmentation lead her on to an expedition to the burgeoning club scene.

Interestingly, Astral T found solace in the small and more intimate room of the clubs – a more inviting nightscape for a nocturnal journey with their deeper and more soulful shades of sound. Whether it was the deep and transcendent productions synonymous with Larry Heard and original Prescription brothers Ron Trent and Chez Damier, the jacking Chicago flavours of Marshall Jefferson and Derrick Carter the pioneering Detroit Techno coming from innovators Derrick May and Inner City or the soulful New York Garage sound of Kerri Chandler, this rich melange of house, techno and garage was a direct influence and source of inspiration for her song-writing and singing.

Now Midlands-based, in just 3 years she has collaborated with a range of esteemed producers both local and international. In 2007 her collaboration with the dynamic deep house duo Rhythm Plate saw the release of ‘Inside Me’ – A deep US garage-style number in which Astral T’s infectious vocal compliments the lush key and warm bassline perfectly – on the ‘Robbin’ Hudd’ EP on Hudd Traxx Records. Garnering acclaim and charted by many DJs in House circles, the track was an instant success and was snapped up for several commercially released mix compilations by many a House veteran including Johnny Fiasco’s ‘Nectar Vol. 2’ and Harley & Muscle’s ‘Play Deep House 5th Chapter’.

Since ‘Inside Me’ she has gone on to collaborate with a range or producers – including Hudd Traxx’s Eddie Leader (with the track ‘Innersphere’ on the ‘That Was Easy’ EP on Hudd Traxx), Nottingham’s Kinky Movement (‘Don’t You Wish’ on Replay Recordings) and Argentina’s Julian Sanza. There have been a plethora of remixes too, courtesy of Julian Sanza, Inland Knights, Pete Dafeet and Hoodfellas. On all her collaborations it’s the intoxicating mix of simple hooks combining with philosophical insights that fit effortlessly into the deeper shades of house…