Signs Astrachan

• 1 Maker 02:55
• 2 Doorposts 03:15
• 3 Mangoes and Apples 02:47
• 4 The Surf 03:41
• 5 Dana Divine 04:30
• 6 Picture of Doubt 03:26
• 7 Parking Meter 03:26
• 8 Peter 03:26
• 9 Raging Skies 03:48
• 10 Cassandra 03:40
• 11 Teacher Teacher 04:20
• 12 Some Kind of Love 04:30
• 13 Quit Being Vital 02:21
• Total Runtime 46:05

Info for Signs

Astrachan is a solo effort fronted by Ben Astrachan, who fuses folk with “stomp and shout” indie. Recorded in an analog bedroom-style studio in his basement, the authenticity shines through the warmth of the track’s lo-fi production. It feels handcrafted, capturing a snapshot of joy and sincerity that’s always sought after in today’s indie landscape. Just in time to get on the tail-end of your summer of 2025 playlist, “Doorposts” is a song that will have you singing along by the second chorus and drumming on the steering wheel with reckless abandon.

“Chicago multi-instrumentalist Ben Astrachan was born nearly two generations after 1967’s famous Summer of Love, but he understands the whimsy, grace, and joy of that era’s music so well you’d think he helped make it happen.” - Leor Galil, Chicago Reader

“Astrachan’s indie melodies intertwine love, and adventure, crafting a blissful sonic tapestry of pure lo-fi brilliance.” - Tammy Moir, Happy Mag

Astrachan

Ben Astrachan
Astrachan is the solo project and surname of curly-haired indie rock beefcake Ben Astrachan, a self-taught analog tapehead who conjures up his special blend of starry-eyed lofi folk rock in the candlelit haze of Puccini’s Studio (Astrachan’s basement bedroom/workspace) on Chicago’s northwest side. Astrachan is also the co-founder of Berta Bigtoe (with Austin Koenigstein) and Astro Heart (with Ryan Gebhardt), and a tireless accomplice to fellow travelers Smushie , No Lonesome (etc), brightening stages across Chicago with his golden voice, polytechnic abilities, and good-natured boyish charm. His sophomore LP “Cleaner than Clean”, self-produced and recorded directly to tape in Puccini’s Studio, is a noisy upbeat rock-and-roll affair released via Happen Twice.

Astrachan has opened for the Vancouver Psych group Meltt in 2023, John Gallagher Jr. in 2024, Headband Henny in 2025, and, the Australian indie rock groups, Teenage Dads and Quivers also in 2025. Astrachan also opened for Yuma Abe and Tommy Ragen in 2025. Astrachan's other foray, Berta Bigtoe opened a sold out Tokyo Police Club show at Lincoln Hall (507 cap) in 2021. They sold out a show at the Golden Dagger (100 cap) in 2021 and come close at The Hideout (200 cap) and Schubas (212 cap) in 2021, 2022, and 2023. They toured Texas in 2024 playing The New New Festival as well as a few unofficial SXSW booked by Happentwice. They played 3 festivals this summer in Albany, WI, Kalamazoo, MI, and Burlington, VT all had around 300 people in attendance. In 2025, Astrachan played a whopping 10 shows at SXSW, one of which being the official Paste Magazine showcase at High Noon ATX. Astrachan has a third album which is self produced that will be dropping in the coming months.

This album contains no booklet.