Photos by Andrew Kelly
The Story So Far
Scottish rock band, Estrella, inspired by 70s vintage rock, has developed a fresh blues feel to their sound over the last year. Under management, Estrella is now ready to promote their new tracks on a forthcoming tour of the UK.
The band has also been actively supporting their local Aberdeen based charity, UCAN, to raise awareness and reduce the stigma of urological cancer. Carrying out lunch time gigs in secondary schools, throughout the North East and Highland regions of Scotland, the band has assisted UCAN to get their message across to these young men and women in a positive way.
Their on-stage impact at gigs, coupled with regular radio plays, TV and media coverage, make Estrella a band worth watching!
Quite an achievement for the band, as a few years ago, brothers Paul, Luke and Nathan along with long time friend, Brian, were still practising in the Attic of their home in the very far North of Scotland! To realise their potential and passion for music, the band became a full-time profession for all its members and they relocated to the Granite City (Aberdeen, Scotland). To add an extra dimension to their sound, rhythm guitarist, Graham Christie now makes up this blues-rock quintet.
But where did they get that name?
Drinking late into the night and viewing the film “Rock Star†complete with Spanish subtitles (no, they don’t know why either!), the band realised the word “Estrella†meant ‘star’ in Spanish.
Estrella
"Play with the passion of the 70’s rock band, some looks of the 80s and no musical taste of the 90’s!"
HIGHLIGHTS !
EP Release
Estrella released their self-titled EP in May 2006 and as part of their EP Launch Week, the band played their five tracks before an Aberdeen home game at the Pittodrie Stadium! During the launch they were interviewed by BBC Scotland and Northsound 2 Radio and were also reviewed as “a rock band to look out for in the future†in the North East’s Press & Journal Newspaper.
Among some of the other excellent EP reviews, Estrella received one, in particular, from Rick Fulton of the Scottish Daily Record Newspaper:
“This is classic eighties rock but before you run to the hills, this isn’t the Darkness but an Aberdeen band carved from Granite, not southern chalk. Taking their blueprint from Guns N Roses, this five track is fun without being camp. She’s Got It has a great chorus, guitar solo and lyrics. Woman’s Touch has a down tempo feel of AC/DC.â€
The Cathouse, Glasgow
Estrella were well received by a very supportive crowd, both on and off stage, and had some great feedback on their “My Space†site after the gig.
Ironworks, Inverness and Lemon Tree, Aberdeen
Estrella provided support to Maiden Scotland (the UK’s biggest Tribute Act to Iron Maiden) at the Ironworks, Inverness and in Aberdeen’s top live music venue, The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen. After the gig, the Lemon Tree said that“Estrella were amazing!â€.
Scottish Regional Winner of the Bandwagon and Local Hero Web Competition
After winning the Scottish heat of the Bandwagon/Local Hero Competition, to win a slot to play at six major festivals in and around London, Estrella went on to the final held at the Islington Carling Academy in London. Hosted by XFM’s Shaun Keaveney, the nine competing bands were judged on the night by a panel of music industry experts. Although beaten by some really fantastic local bands, Estrella played an excellent set and picked up some very loyal fans on the way!
Media Attention !!!
With regular airplay, most Saturday and Sunday nights, on Northsound 1 and 2 Radio, Estrella have also featured on BBC Scotland, Moray Firth Radio in Inverness and STV.
Website and Myspace
At the start of 2006 Estrella launched their official website and their “My Space†site.
www.estrella-rocks.com or www.bebo.com/estrellarock
Estrella give fans the chance to sample new track for free !
While downloading music has risen to prominence in recent years as artistes try to stop people using illegal methods to copy their music, Estrella is giving fans a taster of one new track for free.
The band has uploaded a selection of new material here on their Myspace, with one of the tracks, ‘Hard to Get You’, available for free download.
Buy Estrella's Self-titled EP
Featuring Tracks : She's Got It, Woman's Touch,
Going For Glory, Wet n' Wild and Ride Away.
Estrella named “Scotland’s Best New Band of 2006 and 2007â€
Aberdeen based Classic Rock Band Estrella have won the Scottish National Final of The Global Battle of the Bands in both 2006 and 2007.
For Estrella's EP review, by the Scottish Daily Record . Check out the "Press Section" of our website.
RADIO REQUESTS
Contact your local radio station and get Estrella on the Air!