Emerging electronic producer ASTOR debuted his electrifying new single ‘Poison’ on May 30th, 2025, via ASTOR Records. Known for blending festival-sized energy with emotionally-charged melodies, ASTOR boasts over 2.16 million streams across platforms and a string of high-profile support slots at NOTO in Philadelphia and The Summer Club in New York City, where he opened for the likes of Nicky Romero, Hardwell, Sam Feldt, Loud Luxury, and Julian Jordan. ‘Poison’ follows his breakout 2024 releases ‘Fly Alone’ and ‘Storm’, as well as 2025’s ‘Holding Tight’, which marked his debut signing with Revealed Radar, a sub-label of Hardwell’s Revealed Recordings. With ‘Poison’ arriving as his boldest statement yet, ASTOR is clearly carving his name into the next wave of mainstage-ready talent.
We sat down with ASTOR to discuss his new single ‘Poison’, his journey from finance to music, and his inspirations.
How did you transition from finance to music?
Technically, I haven’t transitioned—I still work full-time in finance. Probably a better word is “expanded.” Music hasn’t replaced my career; it’s become a second one. I’ve always had a deep love for dance music, especially progressive house, but it wasn’t until I felt established in my career that I gave myself permission to chase something creative. I started DJing as a hobby, fell in love with the process, and eventually took the leap into production. For now, I juggle both careers, which can be demanding, but also incredibly rewarding.
What sparked your music journey during the pandemic?
The pandemic created a unique kind of stillness. After years of working, studying, and putting creative goals on the back burner, I finally had time to breathe. I’d just wrapped up a battery of professional examinations, and I told myself: you’ve been checking all the boxes—now go do something for yourself. I started taking DJ classes just to learn the basics, and from there it snowballed. Before long I was playing club sets, then opening for major artists. Eventually, producing my own original music felt like the natural next step.
Every artist faces creative challenges, whether in the studio or in their career. What’s been one of the toughest obstacles you’ve encountered so far, and how did you overcome it?
Imposter syndrome. I got into music later in life with no formal background—no childhood piano lessons, no production experience. Showing up to things like ADE with no music released yet, I felt like I didn’t belong at first. But I overcame that by focusing on what I could control: improving my craft, showing up consistently, and setting small, achievable goals. Releasing my first track, hitting 100K streams, and getting signed—those milestones built confidence and momentum.
How would you describe your music style?
It’s emotionally driven progressive house with a mainstage energy. My tracks often start with a vocal that hits emotionally, and I build everything around that—melodic, cinematic, sometimes euphoric, but always building toward a high-impact drop. I also love weaving in unexpected elements, like progressive D&B influences or future rave textures, to push the sound forward without losing the emotional core.
What’s the story behind ‘Poison’?
‘Poison’ started with a vocal that just hit me—it had this haunting, emotional quality that felt almost desperate. The lyrics touched on being pulled toward something you know isn’t good for you, and I wanted the production to reflect that tension. The build is moody and atmospheric, almost aching, and the drop hits with controlled chaos. It’s probably one of my most emotionally layered tracks to date.
Any memorable moments from performing at NOTO or The Summer Club?
Absolutely. Last year I opened for both Hardwell and Nicky Romero at NOTO. Both experiences were surreal—almost full-circle moments, playing on a major stage for guys who helped shape the genre that got me into music in the first place.
What challenges and opportunities come with releasing music through your own label, ASTOR Records, compared to working with established labels like Revealed Radar?
ASTOR Records is less a Record Label at this point and more an imprint for all my self-released music. That being said, with these self-released tracks, I have full creative control and flexibility with timelines, visuals, and branding. The challenge, of course, is reach—major labels bring established networks and visibility. Getting signed by Revealed was a huge moment for me because it helped validate my sound and exposed my music to a broader audience. But long-term, I think having both options—independence and support—will allow me to grow strategically.
Your music blends emotional depth with high-energy drops. How do you balance these elements in your production, and what challenges do you face in doing so?
It’s a constant balance. I start with emotion—usually a vocal that pulls me in—and then build the sonic world around it. The challenge is making sure the drop doesn’t kill the emotion, but amplifies it. I want people to feel something in the build and release something in the drop. It takes careful layering, arrangement, and a lot of trial and error to find that perfect tension and payoff.
‘Poison’ explores themes of obsession and being drawn to something that’s not good for you. Can you share a personal experience or inspiration that led to this song?
Without getting too specific, I think we’ve all felt that pull—toward something that excites you but might not be entirely good for you. For me, ‘Poison’ reflects that inner tension, the rush of chasing something powerful while knowing it could come at a cost. It’s not about one moment, but a mix of experiences, including the constant balancing act I live between two demanding worlds—music and my full-time career. There’s beauty in that chaos, but also risk. The track captures the two sides of that tradeoff: the high, the danger, and everything in between.
Looking ahead, what’s your ultimate goal as an artist? Whether it’s a dream venue, a collaboration, or a personal milestone, what’s the one thing you’re striving for in the next chapter of your career?
Right now, I’m focused on growth—both in the studio and as a performer. I want to keep refining my sound, playing bigger shows, and expanding my reach globally. Long-term, the dream is to play the main stage at Ultra or Tomorrowland and to collaborate with some of the artists who inspired me to start. But really, the goal is impact. If my music makes someone feel something real, I’ve done my job.
Stream ‘Poison’:
Follow ASTOR:
Website – Instagram – Facebook – X – Soundcloud – Youtube – Spotify
