Starling writing the subconscious mind
The sound of Starling is less a genre and more a mood—a delicate blend of soft heaviness that effortlessly navigates the emotional landscape from grunge grit to introspective songwriting and atmospheric shoegaze. Born and bred in Los Angeles, the four-piece alternative band crafts music that speaks to a universal yearning: for contentment, for a place, for a true self.
What sets Starling apart is an undeniably authentic, DIY spirit. Their music is built on warped, bedroom-built production, characterized by angular leads and rich vocal melodies that manage to capture a vulnerable, wide-open feeling. This aesthetic is perfectly distilled in their latest EP, Plexus, a record that feels entirely self-made, with the production and mixing handled by the band itself, reinforcing their core identity.
The creation of Plexus was a careful exercise in aesthetic harmony. The band aimed to marry the sonic palette of previous works, seeking to blend the textures of 2324 and Forgive Me. This process involved a careful mix of live tracking and studio punch-ins, allowing specific, crucial moments to take shape, resulting in a sound that is both organic and deliberately polished.
When it comes to inspiration, the band doesn’t chase specific references when writing; instead, they are in a state of flow, letting inspiration spark from whatever they are listening to or watching. This approach led to fascinating sonic coincidences, like a guitar riff on a track that drew comparisons to other, well-known sounds. While they might casually reference influences like Modest Mouse or the Strokes, their true creative spark often comes from a subconscious connection to wider musical landscapes.
The band’s journey on the road is as unique as their music. Life on the tour bus demands a certain kind of resilience. To keep healthy and grounded, Starling favors simple, wholesome meals—think tinned fish, oatmeal, and avocado—avoiding fast food entirely. They prioritize mental well-being by incorporating daily walks, yoga, meditation, and journaling, finding peace amidst the chaos of travel.
But amidst the travel and the artistic pursuits, the band has developed some wonderfully irrational rules. The most famous, and certainly the most essential, rule for any road trip is the permission granted to Kasha to pull the van over and serenade some cows. It’s a reminder that even in the wildest of journeys, a little absurdity is necessary.
When the inevitable tough moments hit—like a breakdown in the middle of nowhere—the crew has found that while there is no consensus on who would survive, there’s a shared understanding. While some speculate about poisonous berries, the group collectively agrees that Kasha would likely survive longest.
As Starling embarks on their national tour, the experience has only deepened their curiosity about the places they pass through, sparking a fascination with history and the stories embedded in every city. And while the band’s name, Starling, is rooted in the beautiful, iridescent song of the bird, it’s their journey—and the unique, shimmering sound they create—that truly defines them.
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