Joy Mills -
Tom Parker -
Aimee Zoe Tubbs -
Jack Quick -
Influences
Patty Griffin -
Greg Brown -
Leonard Cohen -
Emmylou Harris -
Neko Case -
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings -
Willie Nelson -
Tom Waits -
Lucinda Williams -
our friends -
Ryan Adams/Whiskeytown -
Steve Earle -
Jenny Lewis -
poached eggs -
murder ballads, boom-chuck, tree sap, Beethoven's 7th Symphony
"Gravity", our new EP, is now available! It's a sneak peek of our full-length we're working on. Seven songs with mostly new material, a reprise oldie and a traditional tune. It's a limited release, so get 'em while they're here. $10, includes shipping.
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"Call it lilt with an edge." -Leicester Bangs (UK)
"Marveling the While" now available at select locations. 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" debuted at 8 on the Euro-Americana charts; spent 17 weeks on the Roots Music Report Charts; was a Notable Northwest Recording by KBCS Americana Music Director, Christine Linde; the track "Bluebird" selected for Best of 2008 from The Miller Tells Her Tale out of the UK. Thanks to all the DJ's across the country playing our album.
We spent much of 2008 touring nationally. We're spending 2009 recording a new full-length, and are just releasing a sneak peek of that with our EP, "Gravity" which is available for a limited time on PayPal and at live shows.
Our 6-month tour blog can be seen here, or also here. Thanks to all the folks along the way who gave us support!
"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, The Onion 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 Wood Brothers, The Avett Brothers, Eilen Jewell, The Everybodyfields, Shannon McNally, Hoots & Hellmouth 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, bass and harmony vocals. Occasional musicians sit in on lead instruments such as Dobro and mandolin. 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.
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Interested in having The Starlings for your next house concert?
New video from tour, created by Chad Hinman...
Tour video from 2007, created by Aimee Zoe Tubbs...
New pics, new videos and new LIVE tunes going up today! Let me know what you think! Sending some ATX (that's Austin Texas) love out to everyone. Ruby Jane
Hello, after an unfortunate hiatus, the reasons for which are probably best not gone into here, we finally have some new music on the AUK MySpace site. For your listening pleasure this month we offer Nathan Oliver, Conrad Ford, the irrepressible Todd Snider and the delightful Beccy Owen. Don't forget too, for those of you within striking distance of Leicester, Electric Dustbowl 2 on 19 September.
Hello, it's me, Ruby Jane. I am a 14 year old fiddler, songwriter. I have some songs posted that are fresh out of the studio. Let me know if you like the new songs..be one of the first to hear, even before they are released!Thanks! new videos too! Ruby Jane
REMEMBER YOUR MOTHER on Sunday May 10, 2009. If you would like to do something nice for your mother this year, consider throwing her a party...and give her flowers, cake and presents. She is your one and only mother. Love her above all others.
Hello, it's that time of the month again when we add more lovely music to our site. This month's happy foursome are The Barker Band in wistful mode, the summer of love-ish Old Californio, the anything but summer love-ish Christopher Rees and, wait for it..."Travelling Salesman's Young Wife Home Alone On Christmas In Montpelier, VT" from Casiotone For The Painfully Alone, which evenr if it was rubbish (and it's not) just had to be included for the names alone.
Thanks for being our friend. We’ve just posted some new live recordings from recent shows that we’ve done in Seattle, Portland and Bellingham. Stop by and let us know what you think.
hello friends, it was great to see ya at the big'ol clam diggity do dad out in ocean shores. to ya great people that play great music, now have a great week.
You were SO GREAT last night! :-) I was honored to share the stage with such amazing talent, and the harmonies!! They were perfect. Also...the harmonica was amazing. (There ya go, Tom...) Thanks again for a great night! xoxo
Itâs that time of the month and our site has four new tracks up for your listening enjoyment.
This monthâs box of delights include the swaggering groove of Blackie & The Rodeo Kings, the insanely catchy folk-pop of Antje Duvekot, the languid Great Lake Swimmers and, a little belatedly but better late than never, The Young Republic.
A particularly strong month, even if we do say so ourselves. Check them out, you won't regret it.
congrats on finishin your cross-country tour! it was such a pleasure to perform with you guys. your voices sound so smooth-worn and wise together. I wish we had a better crowd for you! You deserve the world. Glad you're home safely; keep up the tremendous songwriting,
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