Winners of the Queensland Music Awards Billy Thorpe Scholarship last year, Astrid & The Asteroids have been making a name for themselves ever since.

Known for their energetic glitter-laden live shows and unique jazz-infused brand of space pop, frontwoman Astrid Jorgensen says the conception of the quirky five-piece was something that came about unexpectedly.

"It's really rare that a uni project translates into real life. I had to make a CD of songs that I'd written for an assignment and I asked my boyfriend Evan to play the trumpet. We had all met just through social circles and friends and I asked the first people that came to mind, but we had a really good time and ended up sticking together.”

With previous years' winners having included artists such as DZ Deathrays, Cub Scouts and Kate Miller-Heidke, entries have been extended until May 6 for this year’s QMAs. Astrid says winning the Billy Thorpe Scholarship opened plenty of doors for the band.

"We were so stoked. We wrote a huge application and sent off all of our music and were lucky enough to be picked. Basically it's money for recording and meeting industry professionals; it's been really helpful for us and we're very thankful.”

Now the group are almost ready to release their new single.

"We recorded with the Billy Thorpe Scholarship money over Christmas and we're about to release our first single, and then we're hoping to release an EP or album this year depending on how the single is received."

Astrid says punters can expect a lively performance when the band next take to the stage.

"It will be glittery with probably too much lycra. We're trying to cut back on that a little bit because the boys are getting embarrassed. In our recordings we try to create a really precise and polished sound but in our live shows we like to do big solos and have a bit of a dance and get the audience involved, so it’s definitely high energy stuff."

Astrid & The Asteroids play the Bris Powerhouse May 10. Entries for Queensland Music Awards close May 6.