About Ashtar

Ashtar, founded in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1997, combine various musical genres and a diversity of instruments, blending progressive rock with traditional Celtic folk. The lyrics written by Luiz Garcia are based on esoteric theories, reincarnations, feelings, laments and glories of Scotland and Ireland, and the Celtic world in general.



In 1999 Ashtar began recordings of their debut album, Urantia, which was finally accomplished in 2002 and released in Brazil by the label 'Rock Symphony' and in France by the label Musea. The promotional gig for the release of the album was an acoustic performance in a venue in Rio de Janeiro, which occurred in September 2003 almost one year later, with special guest, none other than the legendary 'Focus' guitar player, Jan Dumeé. In November, also 2003, Ashtar performed a gig in Rio Art Rock together with the well known Wishbone Ash.



In May 2004 the band set out on their first European tour, playing in the UK and France, where they shared the stage with bands such as Anathema, Mostly Autumn and Karnataka. This experience granted them a series of appearances in the Media, which resulted in being nominated, and winning, the "best new band" award of the "Classic Rock Society" UK.



In March 2005, the band performed at the famous Baja Prog Festival in Mexico, which is considered one of the most important and the biggest progressive festival in the world. Shortly afterwards, the band hit the road again for their second European tour, playing again in the UK, headlining festivals and gigs and sharing the stage with Mostly Autumn and Strangefish, also performing in Switzerland and the Netherlands. The tour was important for establishing Ashtar´s name in Europe, and also for gaining another member for 'the clan', British born, Rob Gould, who was invited as a guest keyboardist for the tour, but very soon became a full time member of the band.

In 2006 Ashtar played 3 huge concerts in Brazil, sharing the stage with Epica, Kamelot and The Gathering respectively, and a third European tour. This time 14 dates, taking in Germany, Holland, Ireland, Scotland and England.

A new album is due for release in 2008 entitled From The Otherside and a new vocalist, Paula Mineoka, will add her awesome talents to the band.

Paula Mineoka - Lead & backing vocals
Luiz Garcia - Lead & backing vocals, guitars, E-Bow, whistles, bódhran and theremin
Daniel Dobbin - drums & percussion
Fabio Guilherme - Bass and backing vocals
Oswaldo Velasco - Violins
Rob Gould - keyboards & synths
Eduardo Capella - guitars

More information about Ashtar can be found at:











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