Biography
"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." - Idaho Statesman
“Seattle’s Starlings second album is that 'ava raris,' a work that has the musical development so beloved of critics and reviewers, while retaining the sound and style of their debut to keep fans who know what they like happy...it is truly marvelous music.” – Americana UK
“Wow...one of the most talented and engaging groups in the Northwest...they display a maturity and facility whereby the songwriting, the musicianship, and the arrangements strike deep at the emotional and musicial subconscious.”
– Victory Review
After their 6-month national tour in 2008, The Starlings returned to Seattle in 2009 and recorded an EP, "Gravity," featuring 7 songs, 3 of which will appear on their 2010 full-length release. They've captured the ears of fans both in the Northwest and beyond. The 2008 release of their sophomore album, “Marveling the While” spent 17 weeks on the Roots Music Report Chart, and debuted at #8 on the Euro-Americana chart. "MTW" followed their successful 2006 release of debut album "Songbook." They've received accolades from notable sources as Maverick Magazine and Americana UK; spent eight 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 Wood Brothers, Shannon McNally, Hoots & Hellmouth and numerous regional artists.
After much touring and performing, they've come
to be known for their wonder-spun refrains and harmonies. Their approach is contemporary and inventive, inspired by the
classics of country, folk and roots music. Guitar, banjo, harmonica, mandolin and drums take us through elemental themes that 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, and the long drive home.
"Marveling the While" (2008) features the soulful and sparkly vocals that fans recognize, and features 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, opening with the powerful 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."
Joy Mills hails from the hinterlands of Iowa, where an urge to write slow-burned its way, and finally surfaced, in her college years. Upon moving to Seattle in 1999, she began performing live, joined forces with partner Tom Parker, and produced her first solo LP, Rabblerouser. Mills and Parker have been steadily gaining attention around Seattle for their compelling harmonies and songwriting, which eventually led them to realize their next step up Mt. Fuji - bringing their work to a band format. Mills' songwriting infuses a lyrical and lucid quality that digs deep and harvests a more elusive meaning - all the while showcasing the hooks and refrains that keep fans singing along. Mills also pursues her other passion of writing fiction, pulling inspirations for both forms from a variety of musical genres and a polite handful of her influences: Greg Brown, Patty Griffin, Neko Case, old-time dirges, Lily Tomlin, Steve Martin, the Short Story, and the irresistible act of Observation.
Tom Parker is the One Who Can when it comes to blending and arranging harmonies, and blowing on that harp. Reared in the Pacific Northwest by various chorus backgrounds, he moved around musically among folk, classical, jazz and grunge incarnations. With chameleon-like perception, his voice and harmonica playing add the richness and texture any musician could hope for in their cache. His songwriting is crafted from a diverse background with songs that unearth both the hard and soft edges of life. Tom brings to the group over fifteen years of versatility, style, and heart, and can also be seen in the country trio The Pennylifters.
Aimee Zoe Tubbs is a drummer, musician and teacher. In search of good music, strong coffee and clean air, her personal journey has taken her from Iowa City to Seattle, via Boston. An accomplished percussionist, singer and pianist, she also dabbles in bass and saxophone. She draws on diverse influences that range from Julie Andrews to the Throwing Muses, and has played in a variety of alt-flavored bands, including Seattle Joan Jett tribute band, Jett City. Aimee's currently offering drum styles to Moe Provencher. She also teaches Band 101 for Rock School in Seattle.
Instrumentation
Joy Mills - vocals, guitar, banjo, mandolin
Tom Parker - vocals, guitar, harmonica
Aimee Zoe Tubbs - drums, backing vocals
Sometimes guest musicians:
Moe Provencher - mandolin
Jack Quick - upright bass, backing vocals
Discography
"Gravity" (EP) released in August 2009, with a Winter Tour through the West planned for December.
"Marveling the While" released March 18, 2008, followed by a 6-month national tour, with appearances across the country, an extended residency on the east coast from June-August, performances at notable venues such as Club Passim in Boston, and an appearance at the Joshua Tree Roots Music Festival in October. Spent 17 weeks on Roots Music Report Charts, extensive airplay nationwide; debuted at #8 on the Euro-Americana charts, airplay in England, the Netherlands, Belgium, Scotland, Ireland, Spain, Australia. Selected as a Notable Northwest release by KBCS's Americana Music Director, Christine Linde. Also selected for the track "Bluebird" on the Best of 2008 by the radio show The Miller Tells Her Tale out of the UK.
"Songbook" released March 2006; receiving airplay in Seattle, Massachusetts, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Idaho, California and Oregon. Also receiving airplay in Europe (The Netherlands, UK, Belgium, Ireland).
Links
| http://www.starlingsmusic.com |