ASTN

ASTN, born Austin Sanders, represents the modern intersection of viral social media savvy and rigorous musical training. A former jazz student, his foundation in music theory and percussion informs the sophisticated harmonic structures and rhythmic pockets of his R&B output.

His career trajectory was significantly altered by his 'what if this song was rnb?' series on TikTok, most notably his transformation of Billie Eilish's 'Happier Than Ever' into a soulful slow jam, which garnered tens of millions of views and established his brand of 'nostalgic R&B.' Critically, he is viewed as a leader in the 'bedroom soul' movement, blending the DIY aesthetic of indie-pop with the vocal athleticism of traditional R&B. His work often explores themes of romantic transition, vulnerability, and the geography of the South versus Los Angeles. Influenced by both the classic soul of the 70s and the trap-adjacent R&B of the 2010s, ASTN has successfully transitioned from a social media phenomenon to a major-label artist with a cohesive, atmospheric sound identity.