1988 by Astronaut Adam

I’ve spent the last two and a half years working on this record, creating it piece by piece. The first song I wrote and recorded for the project is "So Shook," which was inspired by the loss of our dear friend and brother, Mark Atkinson. I wrote and recorded this track in March of 2022 at The Castle in Beloit, Wisconsin.

This album is a collection of songs that have come together over the past three winters. The central theme revolves around the loss of many loved ones, especially the four closest people I've lost in the past few years: my mother, my stepdad Sam, my best friend Mark, and my grandmother. The songs reflect themes of struggle, pain, death, addiction, demons, grief, mourning, loss, and loneliness. However, they also touch on resilience, strength, healing, growth, courage, integrity, and honor.

The recording process evolved with every track. Over the past two and a half years, I’ve switched studios and upgraded my equipment. When Max Altmark sent me these beats, I began to write and think about the project as a whole. Some songs were recorded using a budget $100 condenser mic, others with a Bluebird mic, and some with a Shure SM7B and the upgraded SM7BD. I also worked with different recording interfaces, and recorded in a variety of locations: The Castle, my basement, and my garage studio. This diversity in sound sources gives the album a unique, wide-ranging feel. While I didn’t set out to create such a mix, it fits the journey well. The different recording spaces capture the raw emotions of those moments. While each track has varying sound quality, the album as a whole maintains a cohesive concept.

The album is titled *1988*. I was born on August 3rd, 1988, at 3:38 am. Over the course of making this record, I’ve repeatedly noticed these numbers appearing—on streets, signs, license plates, clocks, and in other synchronistic ways. These numbers seemed to guide me through the process. As I reflected on the people I’ve lost, I thought a lot about my ancestors and others who’ve influenced me and are no longer here. It became clear that this album is more than just about loss—it’s a tribute. It’s a homage to those who came before me and those I’ve loved, who have shaped me into who I am today. Without them, I wouldn't be.

When Adam Gasser was 16 he had an epiphany, peace is possible and hip-hop is a vessel to spread that inner peace to all people. This came after years of trials in Beloit, WI, living in poverty and experiencing crime and violence firsthand. Twelve years later he is spreading this peace through the music and movement of Astronaut Adam. He has made it his mission to bring love back to the streets.

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