Banded Starling
Salem, New Hampshire, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2017
Music
Press
e New Hampshire alt-folk duo may be in it's beginning stages, but Banded Starling founders, Priscilla Bel and Pete Wason are no strangers to the New England music scene. A decade long musical partnership has given way to an intimate debut EP with tons of heart. Sink In fits comfortably into the rich indie/folk tapestry of New England with soothing vocal melodies and tastefully orchestrated instrumentals. We're excited to see what the future holds for these two storytellers. Catch them at Brew'd Awakening in Lowell, MA on 6/10. -Brian Varneke - The Deli Magazine New England
Perhaps one of the most introspective albums yet, Banded Starling’s new record Sink In is an echo and an ode to elegantly shaped and well crafted folk with some soul. Priscilla B, the prominent voice, sets up the mood and color of each song giving a timbre so unique to the overall songwriting.
This album plays a lot with the motif of life and its ever-changing cycle through emotional balances and imperfections. The group gathers its experience and is based in Southern New Hampshire and the dynamic transitions life has within these borders.
The song “Empty Places” has a very up beat tempo to it with percussive shakers and crisp acoustic guitars guiding the arrangement through a very solemn and reminiscent song. Originally inspired by an abandoned church turned restaurant then once again turned abandoned, the song does a great job balancing those somber memories of what was. The dueling vocals between Priscilla and Pete Wason really remind me of such great acts as the Civil Wars with a little bit of a Devendra Banhart.
The song “Wonder” is a fantastical journey loosely based off of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. The lyrics come out quite crisp along with the accompanying guitar, along with very at ease brush playing to help create that rhythmic stability.
All in all I would give this album great marks all around for its creativity and ability to captivate me with so little actual arrangement musically. The innocence and beckoning of the singing and lyricism help gravitate this album to new heights, a must for anyone who loves good songwriting. - Seth Shulman - Divide and Conquer
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
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Bio
Banded Starling is the New Hampshire-based alternative folk-pop duo comprised of long-time friends, Priscilla B. and Pete Wason. The two formed the band after having played in several bands together for nearly a decade and performing at various music festivals throughout New England.
Priscilla's poetic and introspective lyrics explore the vulnerability within human relationships and the endless roads one can travel in the world and within the mind. Her many-layered metaphors for life and experiences are sung over playful, raw, and inventive melodies. Priscilla marries poetry with singability producing catchy tunes with refreshingly unpredictable chord progressions that "intrigue and transport the listener into the world that she creates." Her vast musical influences include, salsa music, bossa nova, classical music, jazz, 70s disco, 80s and 90s pop, folk and alternative rock.
Pete Wason, a drummer and multi-instrumentalist, being influenced by the great classic rock and funk drummers of the 70s and 80s, takes classic rhythmic concepts and modernizes them with his own touch. He rounds out the band with a clean yet artistically complex sound.
Banded Starling melds the uniqueness of alternative music, folky acoustic backdrops, and the easy listening of pop. They create a fun but thought-provoking musical experience.
Band Members
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