Earthstar (band)

Earthstar
Craig Wuest of Earthstar in 1977
Background information
Origin	Utica, New York, United States
Genres	Electronic music Kosmische musik Ambient music
Years active	1977–1983
Labels	Sky Records, Moontower Records
Past members	Craig Wuest Dennis Rea Tim Finnegan Daniel Zongrone Norm Peach Daryl Trivieri Louis Deponté Phil Novak Marla Thomson Dan Hapanowicz Richard Hooker Andy Retscher Bob Mishalanie Melanie Coiro Rainer Böhm Christoph Lagemann John Bunkfeldt

Earthstar is an electronic music group from Utica, New York. Earthstar was encouraged by Krautrock/Kosmische Musik/electronic music artist, composer, and producer Klaus Schulze to relocate to Germany where they contracted with Sky Records. Schulze inspired and produced their second album, French Skyline. Earthstar is notable as the only American band who participated in Germany's Kosmische Musik/electronic music scene while still at its height.^[1]

The New Gibraltar Encyclopedia of Progressive Rock describes Earthstar as a “wall of sound.” Wuest's vision and compositions propel the band along with composers Dennis Rea and Daniel Zongrone. The composed music doesn't necessarily suggest a particular instrument but rather creates a sound texture. There are credits for traditional musical instruments including sitar and vocals that may be difficult to distinguish. ^[2] Earthstar's style on French Skyline has been compared to Wolfgang Bock, Sangiuliano,^[3] and Klaus Schulze's own recordings.^[4] Other albums have a softer style with more distinct instrumentation.

Earthstar is also notable for Craig Wuest's heavy use of the Mellotron and the rare Birotron, a variation on the Mellotron that can sustain notes beyond eight seconds.^[5]