Van Morrison, Counting Crows, The Format, Elvis Costello, The Beatles, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Erin Riley, Nelson Mandela, Peter Gabriel, Johnny Clegg & Savuka, Dave Matthews, Bright Eyes, Taking Back Sunday, Pete Voss, Mat Kearney, Rob Thomas, Zach Braff, U2, Rudy Ruttiger,......this list never stops growing.
Thomas Starks started as a traveler. Originally born in Yokosuka, Japan, his family later moved to Germany, then to Iowa, and eventually to the West Coast. It was there, at the age of thirteen that he picked up an old, beat-up Washburn guitar and sparked an imperative relationship with music and lyrics. Although he experimented with many instruments, the guitar became his instrument of choice-an inevitable partner. His passion for music ignited and at fifteen, he was sneaking out of his house at night, finding solace at the local music clubs in Fresno.
His passion lead to various garage bands, where he played rhythm guitar and vocals, and in time started writing his own songs. After several years of playing in a variety of bands, his experience finally gave him the necessary foundation for his songwriting “When I know that life has brought me to a point that mere words cannot describe, music brings me home.”
The robust music scene in Portland, Oregon lured him there for a bit, where he was a part of the band Nine Fold playing local spots. His talent flourished and he took the traveling musician’s path back to Southern California, then on to Seattle, Washington, his current place of residence.
In 2007 he recorded his first album “Songs from the Bus Stop” at Elliott Bay Studios--an honest and beautiful solo debut. After the release, interest in the singer deepened and he became a regular performer at the local clubs. Recently, he had the opportunity to play a few benefit concerts, at the Triple Door and The Tractor where he was on the ticket with Michael Shrieve, the original drummer for Santana. For Thomas, benefit concerts are an important achievement – allowing him to share his passion to help others.
Thomas is headed back into the studio, in the next couple months, to start recording his next highly anticipated album. Featuring a full band, this album will have a more mature, fuller sound.
Review
“Thomas Starks songs are touching and emotionally stirring in a way that is genuine and truthful.” - A&R Select
Hey Thomas, I hope the show's going good tonight...I tried to check it out online, but couldn't get it to work...There may have been a problem, or I may just be computer retarded...Have fun tomorrow too...
Hey, I just wanted to let you know that I’m playing at the Q Café in Seattle next Friday May 30th at 8PM. Cover is $8 and Justin Grounds and Ari Neufeld, who have some great music, will be playing too. Hope to see you there!
Hi Thomas - We’re having our CD Release for “Marveling the While,” this Saturday, 4/5 at The Tractor. We’d love it if you could come. Please note it’s an early show starting at 6pm. Hope to see you there...Joy and The Starlings
I heard you in Seattle on Monday at Studio 7. You guys were great. I loved the Matchbox 20 cover. I thought it was hilarious how none of the teener bopers on the first floor knew any of the words.
Hey Thomas - great to hear from you! I'm so bummed I can't make your show tomorrow night :-( Got band practice. Hopefully I can get there next time. Thanks so much for stopping by to let me know about your show. Knock 'em dead buddy.... Patti :-)
