Astles: A Bus Down Memory Lane

Music journalism is a blend of perhaps my two favourite things in life. Music is a gateway to emotion, memories, and allows us to feel things on a deeper level compared to other art forms. It’s personal. Journalism is an opportunity to tell stories that matter, that deserve to be heard. And every once in a while, a story presents itself, and all of a sudden, you find yourself emotionally intertwined with somebody you’ve never met. This is one of those stories.

The story of Daniel Joseph Astles, better known on stage by his surname, first grabbed my attention as I scrolled through social media on a very uneventful Wednesday evening. A promotion for his most recent album, I immediately paused my playlist and searched for this new gem I had so fortunately come across, ‘Soundtrack for the 21 Bus Home’. After listening from front to back and immediately reaching out to Daniel, we managed to schedule a conversation the following day.

An independent artist who grew up in both Southport and Liverpool, Daniel was exposed to some of the greatest music cultures seen worldwide. However, when Daniel was just six months old, his Uncle Joseph tragically took his own life, something Daniel wasn’t told about until later in life. Joseph was always very into his music, keeping old records, tickets and memorabilia from his experiences through life. After Daniel started to adopt the same interests as he grew older, his Grandad decided to show him everything his uncle had collected all those years ago.

 “It felt like he was talking to me,” is what Daniel told me, his smile apparent even through the phone hundreds of miles away. Shifting through old Velvet Underground records, gig tickets, posters, each item a message from the past, he found an old tape. Curated by, mixed by, and listened to by his uncle. It was apparent that this tape was made to feel like its own album, with a mix of songs and genres that Joseph would listen to on his commute back from work.

The name of the tape? Soundtrack for the 21 Bus Home.

The album itself was made in a refreshingly organic fashion, with Daniel working together with friend Sophie in bedrooms and practice rooms in order to spend the necessary time on it. This gives the album itself a more authentic feel, as Daniel “didn’t want to book a recording studio and finish it all in a week, you know?” He further highlighted the importance of recording it this way by saying, “I wanted to take my time because you have to enjoy it… I wanna look back on it well.”

The album itself is a shining example of how tragedy and grief can bring people together. A message that, despite adversity, love and hope are the foundations that help keep us whole. A message Daniel ensured resonated behind every word, every chord, and every song. With different songs being dedicated to different members of his family, such as ‘Goodnight God Bless’ being dedicated to his grandad, Daniel makes it clear that the message behind the album is family, love, and the importance of the legacy people leave behind.

The conversation then shifted to a more complex topic, as next on the agenda was the relationship shared between music and grief. A difficult question to ask, but Daniel, with the air and wisdom of a man twice his age, offered some very interesting insights that certainly opened my ears. “Music is so tied up with emotion, like water and air” was his opening response, before carrying on with “Everyone is affected by music”, an opinion certainly shared by anyone whose breath has been taken away by a melody. Emotions are an interesting topic to discuss, as for something so complex, such simple things can help us feel them more powerfully, and even remedy them in cases.

We discussed the nature of grief as an emotion being more “visceral” in nature, and being felt on a more powerful level than others, but that music can ultimately, as previously mentioned, help us feel it more. He then went on to mention how certain songs can transport you to different times, and remind you of certain memories. He gave an example, noting that after his nan’s unfortunate passing, his grandad showed him a song that reminded him of her; ‘So Lucky’ by Freddie Davis, a feel-good, upbeat tune that highlights the effect of having that special person by your side. But the simplest, yet comforting, point Daniel raised came last in conversation, with him concluding with, “Music makes big feelings simple,” a beautiful view on such difficult feelings, and something we can all relate to in one way or another.

The first song on ‘Soundtrack for the 21 Bus Home’ is ‘Joe, Are You Listening’, a stunning piece of work that introduces the raw emotion and heartfelt story of the album. The theme of growth and acceptance runs through the album’s entirety, balancing crushing lyrics with beautiful melodies. It encapsulates everything Daniel spoke to me so candidly about, and opened up a new mindset to me about the music I love so much.

There is no doubt that in another place, his uncle listened to that album from back to front in the comfort of the 21 bus home.