Joy Mills -
Tom Parker -
Aimee Zoe Tubbs -
Jack Quick -
Chad Hinman
Influences
Patty Griffin -
Greg Brown -
Leonard Cohen -
Emmylou Harris -
Neko Case -
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings -
Willie Nelson -
Tom Waits -
Lucinda Williams -
Martha Wainwright -
murder ballads, boom-chuck, tree sap, Beethoven's 7th Symphony
New album "Marveling the While" now available at select locations - more to come! You can find "MTW" at Sonic Boom Records, in Ballard's Sonic Boom store, CDBaby, and Smart Choice Music UK Updates will be posted as they come in. Drop us a line here or contact AT starlingsmusic DOT com if you would like to order one directly from us.
"MTW" jumped up the charts again! No. 25 this week on the Roots Music Report Charts(our 17th week!). Thanks to all the DJ's across the country playing our album.
We're out on the road right now, for 6 months, our line-up will fluctuate with different legs of the journey. We'll be posting blogs here and also here. Thanks to Michael Deeds for the article in The Idaho Statesman! Great way to kick off the tour.
"It's rootsy music with a simple beauty. It's a Seattle band with a small-town aura...Mills' timeless, gorgeous voice is the driving force behind the Starlings' twangy serenity. Her husband, singer-guitarist Tom Parker, is no slouch, either. When the two harmonize as a banjo gets plucked in the background, it's a truly wonderful blend." -Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman
"The Starlings vocal harmonies, acoustic goodness and sweet blend of folk and country set the stage for the band's storied original songwriting and the compelling presence of vocalist Joy Mills." - KEXP.org, 90.3 Seattle
"Organic country…both delicate and edgy… For the lo-fi country enthusiast, the Starlings’ natural charm and raw potential, like the Starlings themselves, are a winning combination. Highly recommended.” - Maverick Magazine
“The Starlings hark back to an earlier, simpler time, when folks gathered on front porches with mandolins and harmonicas, singing away the day in dusty twilight. That simple beauty pervades the band’s stellar debut album, “Songbook,” and that easygoing camaraderie personifies the Starlings’ live performances, which find them equally at home playing barnburners and ballads and have made them favorites among Seattle’s twang community.” - Portland Tribune
"The Starlings, a band buoyed by shimmering vocalist Joy Mills."
- Seattle P.I.
The Starlings have captured the ears of fans both in the Northwest and beyond. The 2008 release of their sophomore album, "Marveling the While," which debuted at no. 8 on the Euro-Americana chart for April, follows their successful 2006 release of debut album "Songbook." Based out of Seattle, they've received accolades from notable sources as Maverick Magazine and Americana UK; spent several weeks on John Richards'(KEXP) "Top Ten Northwest Bands"; and shared prominent performances with the likes of Todd Snider, The Avett Brothers, Eilen Jewell, The Everybodyfields, Shannon McNally, Michelle Malone and many others.
"Marveling the While" picks up where "Songbook" leaves off – bringing us further down an aural path of lush production, soulful and sparkly vocals, and featuring guests appearances from Mike Grigoni (Willy Mason, Peter Rowan, Chris Stuart and Backcountry), Lauryn Shapter, and Chad Hinman (producer). With a title inspired by the literary works of John Steinbeck, "Marveling the While" explores themes of time and duality, with the powerful opening track, "Love and War", the bitter sweetness of life in "Silver Thread," a tribute to a gypsy mother in "Geraldine," and the spooky, panoramic montage of "Honey Creek." The Starlings raise the bar in this production, reaching a new pinnacle with their use of metaphor, harmonies, and dynamics.
"Songbook" covers a wide terrain of folk and Americana landscapes including the homage paid to elders in the opening track, "Hand to Mouth," and the wanderer's story in "Alaskan Fire." Other stand-outs include the minor-key foot-stompers "Bones to Ashes" and "Rosie" as well as the elegantly-orchestrated "Sinner's Glory," and the old-time-flavored sweetness of "Acorn."
Led by the magnetic harmonies and songwriting of Joy Mills and Tom Parker, the lyrics and vocals are all at once wistful and fierce, haunting and soothing. Their approach is contemporary and inventive, inspired by the classics of country, folk and Appalachia. Guitar, banjo, harmonica and mandolin give front porch flavors to the songs, while Aimee Zoe Tubbs and Jack Quick provide the solid and stylish foundation on drums and bass, respectively, as well as backing vocals. Elemental themes create The Starlings' solid repertoire – from a pin-dropping ballad to a foot-stomping barnburner, their images linger – empty boxcars, twilight on the prairie, divining rods, river beds, the long drive home, and an underlying wonder at the mystery of it all.
Both "MTW" and "Songbook" are available from CDBaby, Miles of Music and Sonic Boom store in Seattle.
We're really excited about having you guys in this Friday! The West County News is doing an advance article on you so hopefully we'll have a strong turnout. -Cheers, Mocha Maya's Coffee House & Espresso Bar
I miss you Like crazy! Call your cousin cause my phone died and I lost your number, for OCT. Can't wait to see you. you guys look great! I am so proud.
OMG I miss you guys and think about you often! How's the tour? Much of Seattle is weeping with your departure, particularly I. I'll drop a line soon to catch up with you. :) xoxo Matt
This month we have Regina Spektor with the theme to the film Prince Caspian (but don’t let that put you off, it is really rather wonderful), Mermaid Skeletons with a great song that’s worth it for the chorus alone, the Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir, who are as good as their name if not more so and finally the legendary Chip Taylor with the thought-provoking Former American Soldier. Great listening, and if you like the tracks, buy the albums!
