Ekko Astral

Ekko Astral are an American punk rock band based in Washington, D.C. The group play a blend of noise rock and pop-punk, referred to by the band as "mascara mosh pit". Their first album, Pink Balloons, was released on Topshelf Records in 2024.

Ekko Astral
Ekko Astral in 2023. From left to right: Hughes, Holzman, Tully, Tyler.
Background information
Origin	Washington, D.C.
Genres	Noise punk pop-punk post-hardcore queercore riot grrrl
Years active	2021 (2021)–present
Labels	Topshelf Records
Members	Jael Holzman Liam Hughes Miri Tyler
Past members	Stephen Yaeger Guinevere Tully Sam Elmore

History

Ekko Astral started in 2021, after longtime friends Jael Holzman and Liam Hughes reconnected following Hughes moving to Washington, D.C. in 2021. The pair previously wrote music together while they attended the University of Vermont but disbanded post graduation. Their debut EP, Quartz, was recorded for Hughes' master's thesis at American University, where he was studying audio technology.^[1][2] Before the recording of Quartz, Holzman came out as a trans woman. In recording the EP, Holzman wanted to provide an outlet for expressing the emotions she felt coming to terms with her transgender identity during the COVID-19 pandemic.^[3][4][5]

Bassist and percussionist Miri Tyler was recruited from Washington, D.C.'s DIY music scene for the recording of Quartz. Following the recording and release of Quartz, Tyler was made the group's full-time drummer, and was joined by fellow trans D.C. indie musician Guinevere Tully on bass. The band's lineup was finalized with the addition of rhythm guitarist Sam Elmore, a childhood friend of Holzman's.^[3][6] The group's first release as a quintet was the live EP The Quartz Farewell, recorded at Comet Ping Pong in 2023.^[7]

Ekko Astral announced their signing to Topshelf Records in 2024;^[8] their full-length debut Pink Balloons was released through the label on April 17. Its release was preceded by that of singles "Baethoven", "Devorah", and "On Brand", which received enthusiastic profiles in outlets including NPR^[9] and Stereogum.^[8][10][11] Stereogum also included Ekko Astral in their annual list of "The 40 Best New Artists" for 2024.^[12] Pitchfork ranked the album No. 1 on its list of "The 30 Best Rock Albums of 2024."^[13]

In 2024, it was announced the group would be supporting Idles on tour for three dates in the Southern United States, as well as opening for Ted Leo and the Pharmacists on the first leg of their Shake the Sheets 20th anniversary tour.^[14] As of May 2024, the band are working on their next release, "a concept album about the Beltway".^[3]

In July 2024, Tully left the group to focus on her solo project, Rosslyn Station.^[15] Holzman became the group's bass player in her absence.^[16] Elmore announced his departure 2 months later on September 4.^[17]

In 2025, Ekko Astral partnered with the non-profit collective Gender Liberation Movement to organize a two-day music and arts festival (May 30–31, 2025) called Liberation Weekend in Washington, D.C. The festival was in support of the transgender community; proceeds generated were planned to fund rallies, demonstrations, and direct actions in protest of anti-trans businesses and policymaking. The festival featured performances from Ekko Astral, L'Rain, Home Is Where, Ted Leo, Speedy Ortiz, and others.^[18]

Style and influences

Ekko Astral's name was derived from a lyric in the Death Grips song "Come Up And Get Me", the opening track from their album No Love Deep Web.^[2]

Ekko Astral performing at Pie Shop in Washington, D.C. in 2024.

The group uses the genre label of "mascara moshpit" music as a descriptor of both their musical style as well as the queer and countercultural leanings of their music. While the group intended Quartz to be explicitly about the experience of being transgender, Pink Balloons features a more expanded focus. Tully describes their music as "for [trans women], but not just for [trans women]"; while Holzman says their primary audience for their music is those "who are struggling, who are at their absolute lowest".^[19][20][5]

Describing the band's sound in opposition to those of other punk influences, Holzman has said that Ekko Astral is "just Charli XCX and Sophie with loud guitars".^[21] The lyrics of Pink Balloons have been compared to those of Arctic Monkeys;^[1] Holzman has named their album Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino as an influence. Ekko Astral has also drawn influence from Jeff Rosenstock,^[14] Kendrick Lamar, Ethel Cain,^[6] Gilla Band, Idles, and Ditz, alongside other trans-fronted punk acts such as Lambrini Girls,^[2] Crush Fund, and Anita Velveeta.^[19]

Members

Current members

• Jael Holzman (2021–present) - vocals, bass guitar (2024-present)
• Liam Hughes (2021–present) - lead guitar, keys
• Miri Tyler (2021–present) - drums, percussion, bass guitar (2021-2022)

Past members

• Stephen Yaeger (2021–2022) - drums
• Guinevere Tully (2022–2024) - bass guitar
• Sam Elmore (2022–2024) - rhythm guitar

Discography

Studio albums

• Pink Balloons: Popped (2025), reissue^[22]
• Pink Balloons (2024)

EPs

Studio

• Quartz (2022)

Live

• The Quartz Farewell (2023)