Renee Asteria

Biography

LATIN ROOTS, REGGAE RIDDIMS, ACTIVIST INTENT & STRONG FEMALE VOCALS

Who is Razteria?

Razteria can be described as a Fusion of early No Doubt and Sade. Her music unites Reggae, passionate Latin grooves and Rock, powerful messages and musical genius. Described as “musically adventurous” and “a one of a kind breaking of all rules” (C. Foster, Reggae Update, getthebeat.com), Razteria’s songwriting reflects her passion and strong commitment to justice.

Razteria currently in the studio producing “maZ raZteria”, a sequel to her 2010 production RazteRia, to be released Summer 2012. The single “Addicted” was released 1/21/12 in mp3 format. A vinyl single is on the way....

Razteria has opened for international acts such as popular UK/JA lover’s rock Lloyd Brown and Saritah, Australian world music artist as well as national touring artists Mystic Roots, Caribbean All-Stars and Taj Weekes & Adowa.

2010 Album RazteRia

The album titled RazteRia was released live at the Ashkenaz, Berkeley, CA, Sept. 23rd, 2010. Razteria’s album features vocals, music and lyrics by Renée Asteria, vocals by Godelive (an upcoming Congolese American singer) and musicians Waddell Bell (Wadi-B bass), Lou Neuburger (drums), Joe Bressler (keys, RIDDIMBANK) and Luke Thomas (guitar, Eenik, Los Angeles). Feature tunes include: “Risk”/”Risk Remix”, a Reggae tune promoting a message of safe sex and HIV/AIDS prevention featuring international female rap Artist Raw-G on the remix version, “Illegal” a Roots-Reggae, Abyssinians-style tune dedicated to the struggle of immigrants, hypnotic “2-Faced” and “La Baja”.

Prior to 2010

Razteria’ multicultural background (US-born, Bolivian-Dutch heritage) and strong commitment to social justice, have had a profound influence on her musical path. Razteria, performing under her name Renée Asteria, has planted musical seeds through out the Americas (Argentina, Bolivia, Canada, USA) and Europe (France, Switzerland).

Debuting in 2005 in San Francisco, she released her debut album “Renée Asteria”, from which 2 tracks “Curly Black Hair” and “Oblivion” were licensed by MTV’s True Life series.

In 2007, Renée Asteria, while working as a research assistant for the University of Buenos Aires, she met Argentinian producer Matias Martyn and produced her first Reggae-infused, bilingual (Spanish, English) album, “Faces of Agent Double E”/ “Caras de Agente Doble E” with tunes “Vinchuca” and “Mosquito”, about Chagas disease and Dengue fever prevention. “Vinchuca” has been used to raise awareness about Chagas disease (“Arte, Ciencia y Chagas: miradas posibles, diálogos necesarios”). It will be rereleased on Razteria’s 2012 album “MAZ RAZTERIA”.

Instrumentation
Renee Asteria – Rhythm Guitar, Lead Vocalist, Composer, Producer
Godelive – Lead and Back-up Vocals
Waddell Bell – Bass Guitar
Lou Neuburger – Drums & Percussion, Dave Eagle – Percussion
Luke Thomas – Guitar, Adley Penner – Guitar
Joe Bressler – Keys, Darren Batara – Keys