Ekko Astral Unveils Deluxe Edition of ‘Pink Balloons’ Featuring Remixes and Tour Dates
Ekko Astral Celebrates One Year of Pink Balloons with Deluxe Reissue and Riotous New EP
By [Your Name]
April 21, 2024
In a vibrant splash of color and sound, Washington, D.C. punk titans Ekko Astral are back to celebrate the one-year anniversary of their electrifying debut album, Pink Balloons, with a deluxe re-release. This birthday edition not only features the original album but adds five explosive bonus tracks, all contained in the freshly minted digital EP titled Pink Balloons: Popped. Fans can dive into the delightful chaos right now, with pre-orders available for a physical CD version arriving this summer.
Among the standout offerings in this new collection is the visceral “Shred Empty Blues (Popped Version),” a heart-pounding remix of the original track “Head Empty Blues” by the innovative pair Mikie Mayo and dreamrats. This remix doesn’t shy away from controversy, packing a punch with audacious new lyrics aimed squarely at Elon Musk, a move that showcases Ekko Astral’s unapologetic stance on political issues.
Fans can catch a glimpse of this wild remix in the music video linked below:
Watch "Shred Empty Blues (Popped Version)" on YouTube.
The Pink Balloons: Popped EP also boasts a lineup of tracks that echo the band’s ethos, including “Pomegranate Tree,” a searing anti-war anthem that resonated last year, along with fresh remixes of “uwu type beat” (by pet wife) and “on brand” (by They Hate Change), plus a radio edit of “Sticks and Stones.” Each song is a reminder of the band’s capacity to blend razor-sharp political commentary with catchy punk melodies.
Ekko Astral is set to take the stage starting this week, kicking off a tour in support of the dynamic Bartees Strange. But that’s just the beginning; the band will also headline their Liberation Weekend festival in their hometown of Washington, D.C., on May 30 and 31 before hitting the road again in the fall for a series of shows opening for the likes of Pup and Jeff Rosenstock.
Reflecting on the past year, drummer Miri Tyler expressed gratitude for the connections forged through their music: “I could talk about how much this year meant for me personally, or how much it challenged me and how much I grew through those challenges,” Tyler said. “But truly, the biggest takeaway for me after seeing the impact this record has made is that I’m finally part of something bigger than myself.” Tyler’s words underscore Ekko Astral’s mission to inspire, uplift, and provoke thought—specifically among trans and queer youth who found a home in their music.
Leading the charge is singer Jael Holzman, who doubles as a journalist and has contributed to Rolling Stone. In just over a year, Ekko Astral has emerged as a critical voice in the punk scene, defined by their energetic performances and a genre-defying term they coined: “mascara mosh pit music.” Addressing vital issues ranging from trans rights to the continued violence in Palestine, their message is as relevant as it is necessary.
Pink Balloons, released last April under Topshelf Records, showcased the band’s potential and cemented their place as one of punk’s most exhilarating new forces. The deluxe version is a reminder that the journey is far from over.
As the countdown to their summer tour rolls on, here are Ekko Astral’s imminent 2025 tour dates:
Upcoming Tour Dates
- Apr. 23 — Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
- Apr. 25 — Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar
- Apr. 26 — Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
- Apr. 27 — Philadelphia, PA @ The Foundry
- Apr. 29 — Durham, NC @ Motoroco Music Hall
- May 1 — Nashville, TN @ The Basement East
- May 2 — Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West
- May 30 & 31 — Washington, DC @ Black Cat + DC 9 (Liberation Weekend)
- Sept. 3 — St. Paul, MN @ Palace Theatre
- Sept. 4 — Madison, WI @ The Sylvee
- Additional dates through October, including stops in major cities across the U.S. and a pair of prominent appearances at Pitchfork Music Festivals in Paris and London this November.
For those who believe in the power of music to create change, there’s no better time to get onboard with Ekko Astral as they continue to push boundaries and delight fans with their unyielding spirit and raw talent. The party’s just getting started, and there’s plenty more left to pop!
