star fk radium

Solitude Rotation ist das zweite Album des in Washington, D.C. beheimateten Trios Star FK Radium. Mit einer Laufzeit von gerade mal einer halben Stunde ist es reichlich kurz geraten.

Das Trio agiert auch hier wieder in komplett unelektrifizierter Besetzung mit akustischer Gitarre, Violine und Schlagzeug. Musikalisch könnte man am ehesten von einem folkigen Kammerrock mit gelegentlichen Postrock-Einflüssen sprechen. Sanfte Elegie durchweht die Musik, in der meist die mäandernden Melodielinien der Violine im Vordergrund stehen, während die Gitarre sich überwiegend auf dezente Begleitung beschränkt und nur gelegentlich die Melodieführung übernimmt. Dazu spielt das Schlagzeug solide, aber eher unauffällig.

Die Stücke sind durchaus abwechslungsreich gestaltet, auf Dauer ist mir hier aber allzu viel Wohlklang drauf; immer geht es brav harmonisch zu, und viel zu selten ist mal etwas mehr Druck hinter der Musik. Und da soll keiner behaupten, das sei in einer rein akustischen Besetzung nicht möglich, gerade eine Violine kann doch ordentlich kratzen und sägen. Immerhin Ansätze dazu sind vorhanden, etwa in Honey Jarz, und in solchen Momenten erinnert die Musik etwas an die frühen Werke des Tin Hat Trios.

Mit mehr Ecken und Kanten könnte dies durchaus interessante Musik werden, so ist mir Solitude Rotation einfach über weite Strecken zu glatt. - Babyblaue Seiten

Certain people, perhaps even themselves, must have had doubts when Bill Martien, Alissa Taylor and Matt Clarke decided to team up to become an instrumental trio. Yet with guitar, violin and drums at their disposal they duly set about making their consistently rewarding debut, ‘Blue Siberia’, in 2010. ‘Solitude Rotation’ is the follow up and proves that there’s plenty more mileage in the concept.

The title track is a glorious way to start the album. The interplay between the trio is a joy with Taylor’s fragrant flourishes offset by Martien’s dexterous finger picking and concluding with a ferocious drum/violin duel. ‘Honey Jazz’ builds from an elegant start into a thunderous frenzy of noise but it’s the yearning ‘My Favorite Color’ which wins the day. Taylor is perhaps the key to the trio with her violin providing the emotional counterpoint to Martien and Clarke’s impressive foundations.

With so many variations on the theme and changes of pace, no one could accuse the trio of ever being dull. However, if there is a criticism, it is that – in their efforts to add variety and degrees of light and shades – a few of these pieces would have sounded better if they didn’t change so much halfway through. Otherwise, there’s much to enjoy for fans of early 4AD records. - Leonard's Lair

Contrary to its unwieldy moniker, instrumental band Star FK Radium moves smoothly through songs that are alt-folk in structure, but classical in sound. A mild, low-key mood exudes from the contemplatively picked guitar refrains and plucked or drawn violins. Measured drum beats with cymbal shimmer and triangle tings slow down the pace, bringing out the off-kilter nature of bittersweet waltzes. “Rhythm of Breathing” catches attention the most with its wavering, pulled violin lines that tense up into a sweet, but anxious higher register as the song progresses. - adequacy.net

Contrary to its unwieldy moniker, instrumental band Star FK Radium moves smoothly through songs that are alt-folk in structure, but classical in sound. A mild, low-key mood exudes from the contemplatively picked guitar refrains and plucked or drawn violins. Measured drum beats with cymbal shimmer and triangle tings slow down the pace, bringing out the off-kilter nature of bittersweet waltzes. “Rhythm of Breathing” catches attention the most with its wavering, pulled violin lines that tense up into a sweet, but anxious higher register as the song progresses. - adequacy.net

Nonostante discorsi sui massimi sistemi dell’universo circa la morte della musica, dei live, del Cd e di qualcos’altro; la musica continua ad esserci. Eccome! Basta cercarla. E si trova. D’accordo bisogna andare a cercarla. Mica il c.d. “mainstream” ti aiuta nella ricerca. Loro si occupano di soldi. Un punto e basta. Quindi, bisogna armarsi di una lanterna ed andare in giro. Chiedere. Spulciare. Aprire. Sollevare. Qualcosa si trova. E’ matematico. Da qualche parte c’è qualcuno che riesce a comporre musica di un certo livello. Ripeto. Basta fare il verso a Indiana Jones. Insomma, armatevi di pazienza e il tartufo salta fuori!

Volete conoscere un tartufo che ho trovato? Il suo nome corrisponde a Star Fk Radium. Sono un trio composto da Bill Martien (chitarre), Matt Clarke (batteria) e Alissa Taylor (violino). Già dagli strumenti che il terzetto suona si capisce l’aria che tira sull’album. E’ musica senza tempo. Non mi buttate nel tourbillon di trovare una definizione a tutti i costi del loro sound. E’ impossibile. E poi banale. Potrei definirli in mille modi, ma qualcosa sfuggirebbe sempre. Quindi, arrangiatevi. La vogliamo sparare? Loro sono musicisti dell’ottocento catapultatati nel terzo millennio a farci riscoprire quanto sia deliziosa la musica classica.

Sì musica classica. Come il brano viene organizzato presuppone un background classico. C’è una struttura evidente. Un andare del brano che viaggia su parametri e canoni ben definiti. Un assolo di violino è inserito ad arte proprio perché c’è un principio di armonia che dirige il sound. La batteria non entra in quel preciso istante così a caso. C’è un grandioso lavoro di composizione. Ecco la parola magica che da luce a questo meraviglioso album. Mi emoziono ogni volta che lo ascolto. Sembra che lo spirito di Sibelius o Tchaickovski non sia mai morto.

Che dire? Io sono rimasto a bocca aperta per cotanta arte. Sì “Blue Siberia” è arte allo stato puro. Gli Star Fk Radium possono essere solo tre, ma suonano come se fossero un’orchestra classica. Sono un antidoto allo stress della vita moderna. Vi sentite ko? Allora slip in your cd player this sweet slice of music and you’ll start dreaming. Veramente affascinanti. Mi sono divertito ascoltando l’album. Vi divertirete anche voi. Ma c’è qualcuno che lo distribuisce in Italia? Oramai ci si occupa degli inutili Nightwish piuttosto che della vera musica. - Musical News

Prolusion. The US trio STAR FK RADIUM was formed around 2007, at least if the opening year of their MySpace page is an indicator of such matters. In 2009 they became an active live unit, performing in 11 US states, and 2010 saw them embarking on a tour of the US West Coast. "Blue Siberia" is their debut album and was issued just prior to the aforementioned tour in 2010.

Analysis. It's always intriguing to encounter a band which explores a musical landscape that is vastly different from anything you've encountered previously, whether they spread across a vast, eclectic landscape or have narrowed their creative output into a sound of a more marginal and singular nature. The differences with other artists don't have to be vastly different for such an artist to make an impression, nor does it have to be revolutionary or groundbreaking as such. Star FK Radium is to my ears an example of just that, exploring a sound vaguely familiar but where most will have a hard time making any direct comparisons. The instrumentation reveals quite a lot as far as this band goes: guitar, drums and violin. And the main part of their debut album is compositions of a distinctly singular nature, crafted with pretty much the same approach. Wandering acoustic guitars set the premise for the basic melody, whilst a mournful, slower moving violin solo supplements the harmonic nature of the proceedings while also subtly contrasting with the sound and mood of the guitar. While careful non-standard rhythms cater for overall momentum. The most intriguing aspect of their musical palette is the absence of folk music references, the violin taking its cues from classical music, the guitar from acoustic rock, and the drums also have something of a rock music tinge to them, with slight tendencies towards jazz rather than ye olde folkish music. These excursions are pleasant experiences, and should fulfill the needs of most anyone searching for refined but calm melancholic music. While these creations are mostly straightforward, they do explore multiple themes, with alterations in mood, pace and intensity being an ingrained part of their approach. But to my ears it's when this fine trio ventures outside of their main style that they really get interesting. The energetic guitar and drums-only landscape explored in the aptly named Speedbike, a refreshing and jubilant creation and the stronger use of diversity and inclusion of what appears to be flamenco-inspired details on Life in Slow Motion. And last but not least, the refined and elegant construction they have called Chasing the Sun. Whilst opening with a typical theme for this act, exploring the dynamics between guitar and violin, this one soon sets off with an acoustic guitar-driven theme with plenty of alterations in pace and mood, the guitar as well as the supporting drums to a greater extent incorporating folk music-inspired details, with the violin added in for the last minute or so to supplement the main theme and weave patterns of a much different mood to this by now extensively explored theme. It is an inventive and innovative creation that, to my ears, represents what Star FK Radium is about at their best, or most interesting if you like.

Conclusion. Personally I found "Blue Siberia" to be an album just a bit too singular in nature overall to warrant a description as a great production. There are a fair few gems there however, and those who have a general liking for melancholic, mournful acoustic music will most likely regard this disc as something of a treasure trove. In particular if they love the dynamics you get when the acoustic guitar is paired off with the violin. - Uzbekistan Progressive Rock Pages

How did the band start?

Bill: Star FK Radium formed in mid 2008 after i was experimenting and having success with writing instrumental pieces for guitar. Matt wrote a perfect part for "Life in Slow Motion" on drums and Alissa soon followed with an equally impressive violin melody. Our first public appearance as a band was at Politics and Prose, a highly successful open mic run by Maureen Nelson.

Alissa: bill was writing his own music, i'd had my violin in the closet for 8yrs, and matt was in a fellow dc band. when bill started to move towards instrumentals, he suggested i add my violin to the mix and he and matt had the opportunity to play together at a cd release show. we wrote our first song "life in slow motion," after which i was given an ultimatum of 30 days ... join the band, or a violinist would be found to play my part!

Where did the band name come from?

Bill: Alissa and I batted back and forth multiple fast food names and other corporate names that interchanged the first letter (we were on a highway), Kurger Bing, Bar Stucks and then eventually she popped out with Star FK Radium. Instantly i knew it would work.

What are your biggest musical influences?

Bill: STP, Radiohead, Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane, Boards of Canada, Classical

Matt: I was really influenced musically by being in marching band. I listen to some some punk, but mostly classical.

Alissa: My influences come from the classical music i played growing up, as well as probably all of the music i listen to (ranging from reggae to hardcore to classic rock). i couldn't point a finger at distinct expressions of these influences, but they all color how i "feel" music, which is pretty much how i write and create.

What artists (local, national and/or international) are you currently listening to?

Bill: None. I am not really into artists per se. I do really like STP and Boards of Canada. I also enjoy going to local shows and like virtually any type of music from any era if written and performed well.

Matt: Right now I only listen to classical music.

Alissa: joe pug, tim barry, will hoge, the slackers, chuck ragan, the head and the heart, ...

What's the first concert that you ever attended and first album that you ever bought?

Bill: Beach Boys at Merriweather Post Pavilion. My dad started a crowd chant that involved 1/3 of the entire attendance before they went on. I was like, gosh, dad you are cool. Album, Eagles Greatest hits.

Matt: Nirvana Nevermind was possibly the first album that I ever bought. I loved it back then. As far as I remember, my first concert was probably a marching band show at Michigan State which I also loved.

Alissa: i don't remember!! i went to see the stones early on with my family, as well as james taylor, elton john ...

What do you love about DC's music scene?

Bill: I like the people and the friendships with local musicians. Being a purely instrumental band, Star FK Radium reaches out internationally and therefore we in ways are not as involved in the local music scene.

Matt: Nothing really, besides our closer DC musician friends. I spend most of my time outside of DC, and I am usually busy, so I don't really pay attention to the scene there.

Alissa: you think you know everybody, and then you realize there's a whole other scene you've never even heard of!

What would you like to see change in the local music scene?

Bill: More originality please, fewer basic chords on guitar, bring on melodies that really capture you. Shut down all the "coveriginal" bands that are 50% quality reworks of a national grunge band. My comments mainly apply to the general "indie" scene.

Matt: With the exception of our friends, please for the love of God no more singer song writers. Playing chords structures like C - A minor - F - G was really cool and original in the 1600's. Not today.

What are your plans for the upcoming year?

Bill: To continue to reach out to Europe, a primary audience. To record our second album. To perform live.

Matt: We are recording our second album, and are excited about our new original songs.

Alissa: record our next album!!

What was your most memorable live show?

Bill: When we played TNT, a Detroit heavy rock bar. Upon entering the door with our equipment, the guy checking IDs said we've never seen a violin in here before. I was wearing a flannel shirt and a cowboy hat. I think they had no idea what was going to come from our trio, perhaps break out into acoustic country rock? There were four bands playing that night and every member was dressed in black head to toe with big piercings. I ordered a beer at the bar ahead of the show and tried to stand near a band hopefully to get acquainted. They completely ignored me. Star FK went on first and after our performance, we got a shout out from the front man of one band and had several guys from other bands stop by our table and tell us how muc - Deli Magazine

Washington D.C. may be home to Star FK Radium, but the trio’s album Blue Siberia elicits fairytale Otherworldlyness, part lullaby and part desert wasteland, (hence the title). For only three acoustic instruments, Bill Martien (guitar), Matt Clarke (drums), and Alissa Taylor (violin) fill the space with contemplative music that may never venture into outrageously uncharted territory, but one fact remains: their music is beautiful.

Totally inoffensive, Blue Siberia is something for both Grandma and the freshman in college searching for the indie thing to listen to. This is because Grandma doesn’t have to know it’s categorized as trip hop and the eager student doesn’t have to know how far that genre name can stretch.

The title track is a great example, swishing like a paintbrush, each instrument delicate, creating a mood. The guitar is usually fingerpicked. The violin slow and simple. The drums, if anything, are the force that starts the wheels going, using complex rhythms and never stoic.

Many of the songs have both a dark and foreboding, as well as peaceful and serene airs to them, minor keys blooming out into celebratory jams- although “jam” might not be the best word. The songs are five minutes at most. “Karamara” is just lovely, strummed guitar creating the folky ambiance while the snare rolls break the consistence and violin acts like the animal kingdom, both the butterfly and the moth.

A key track is “Snow Angel”, beginning with tight guitar picking. Bill has a creative and classical way of playing bass notes on top of his other work, keeping time but also adding a sound that isn’t present as its own instrument. Matt gets a little drum solo- really a long fill, but his work on this track fills in the space excellently.

Likely the song titles are reflected in the music. “Josie’s Porch Swing” and “Chasing the Sun” sound like they were things that actually happened and deserve songs about them, but for the casual listeners the connections aren’t always clear, except for maybe “Snow Angel”, being wintry and blustery, and the album closer, “The Clearing”, with guitar like a harp and the song brief like a cleansing.

“Speedbike” might also reflect the sound, at a fast tempo and sounding more “acoustic post rock” than anything else. Super fun, the song shows off Bill’s wide talents and he and Matt seem to be having a ton of fun breaking out some heavy stuff. Alissa doesn’t show up here, which is fine, I guess, as she’s loftily present throughout the album and deserves a break. Also, when she finally comes in on “Josie’s Porch Swing” it adds a nice touch to not have heard her for three minutes.

The sum is better than its parts on Blue Siberia, an album’s worth of feeling and vibe, for rainy days or sunny days, whichever as long as you’re quiet and thoughtful. How do you think a guitar, violin, and drums would sound playing this kind of music? Well, that’s exactly what Star FK Radium sounds like, which just so happens to be a very nice sounding kind of music.

Bottom line: Acoustic trip hop trio makes pretty music that sets a mood and keeps it hovering. - angelica-music.com

Hljómsveitin Star FK Radium hafði samband við Rjómann og benti á myndband þeirra sem tekið var upp hér á landi við lagið „Josie’s Porch Swing“. Star FK Radium er akústískt instrumental tríó frá höfuðstað Ameríku sem kom hingað í síðasta mánuði og skaut hér meðfylgjandi myndband.

Áhugasömum er bent á að vingast við bandið á Facebook. - rjominn.is

Hljómsveitin Star FK Radium hafði samband við Rjómann og benti á myndband þeirra sem tekið var upp hér á landi við lagið „Josie’s Porch Swing“. Star FK Radium er akústískt instrumental tríó frá höfuðstað Ameríku sem kom hingað í síðasta mánuði og skaut hér meðfylgjandi myndband.

Áhugasömum er bent á að vingast við bandið á Facebook. - rjominn.is

Luce Unplugged is an acoustic concert series in the museum's Luce Foundation Center for American Art. The series brings in local talent to perform after an accompanying talk on an artwork chosen by the performing group. The series's first performance was by Star FK Radium in November 2010. The Star FK Radium trio, Alissa, Bill, and Matt, are returning to the Luce Center for August's installment of Luce Unplugged on Sunday, August 21. The talk is at 1:30 p.m. and the performance starts at 2 p.m.

Eye Level: You list classical chamber music, 60s rock, grunge, punk, and drumline as influences on your Facebook page. How do you combine such different styles of music?

Matt: Just because we are individually influenced by a wide range of music does not mean that we necessarily incorporate them all in to our songs. I tend to to think of "influences" as music that I enjoy and that I have learned from.

Eye Level: I saw that you have been working on a new album. How has your music changed or grown over the past year?

Alissa: I think our music has progressed more fully towards its unique expression as the fusion of our three voices. Some people call our musical style "chamber rock," originally we wanted to call it "musicbox," thinking about a small hand-cranked musicbox that winds and produces three intertwined voices (violin / guitar / drums). I think we're getting closer to finding that unique sound that we three think of as "musicbox."

Eye Level: What is your most memorable performance and why?

Bill: It is different for all band members, mine was playing a heavy rock bar outside Detroit, Michigan in early 2009. The four other rock bands, all dressed in black with large rings through their lips looked at us like "Who ARE you?". The club owner told us he had not checked out our music when he booked us and expressed concern. We opened with our most intense rock song, Speedbike, and by the time we were offstage, we were getting congratulations and shout outs from band front men as they took the stage later. The night literally took a 180.

Matt: We have done hundreds of performances at this point, and I remember and appreciate them all, but for several reasons our gig in Athens OH earlier this year stands out. We played it after taking a short break away from gigs, and I remember putting so much pent up energy in to the performance. Also anything at the Northwoods Coffee House in Atlanta MI was great.

Alissa: We have had so many amazing performances, it's like asking what is your favorite song, or your favorite band. Many were quite memorable too, but I'll never forget our first real "show," at the National Zoo, when I had literally just joined the band after not playing the violin for eight years. I played only one song with Matt and Bill that evening, "Life in Slow Motion," and it was the most terrifying thing I had ever done in my life. As soon as we were finished, I wanted first to immediately forget that it had ever happened, in front of a huge group of people, nonetheless! And second, I wanted to do it again and again as soon as possible until I reached the point where could do it and feel proud of what I had contributed musically. Every once in a while I think back to that gig and realize how incredibly far I, and we, have come.

Eye Level: You were the first group to do a Luce Unplugged performance. What did you think of the idea when I approached you last summer to play? How is performing in the Luce Center different from playing in other venues?

Alissa: Loved the idea immediately. We have always enjoyed and sought out gigs and venues that work visually as well as spatially for us. The Luce Center, while feeling like a large space, is also a very intimate space musically. It was challenging at times to hear each other, as typically we play amplified, but it was great afterwards to hear the feedback from the audience, who had been able to meander through the art as our music traveled throughout the space.

Matt: To me, playing in the Luce Center, requires less set up and is a little more relaxing that our typical gig.

Eye Level: With so much to choose from in the Luce Center, what made you pick Jesús Moroles's Georgia Stele for the accompanying art talk?

Bill: I am a skyscraper buff. The piece reminds me a lot of the power and awe that is inspired by a 50 or 100 story office building. - Eye Level

Star FK Radium play a calm and slow brand of instrumental folk/(acoustic) rock presented in attractive and melancholic tunes. In their press sheet I saw them mention that they are playing chamber rock. Now the chamber rock I know is quite different than their music, so I’ll let the listeners decide that.
The band is the trio of Alissa Taylor (violin), Bill Martien (acoustic guitar) and Matt Clarke (drums).
While the acoustic guitar brings about scents of folk music pastures and occasionally rock textures, the violin lays atop with its own melodic line and embellishments, all the while the restrained and subtle drumming provides a delicate undertone at times and in others a rhythmic basis for the other two to lean on.
I would have liked, though, had they developed some of the tunes a little further. For instance, Snow Angel is one piece where goes a little further to introduce some intricacies by alternating the main theme and also introducing a short drum solo; however, such approach is missing (and I would guess purposefully) from other tunes such as Josie’s Porch Swing. While the simplicity works very well for tracks like Blue Siberia, I’d have liked to hear more being made of a tune like Life In Slow Motion, where I hear such desire to go further and experiment, but it is not applied, as if restrained. Then again, it’s called Life In Slow Motion, so maybe I’m being picky, but still this principle applies to the other tunes as well.
The album provides a nice calm listen with some delightful moments (Blue Siberia, Snow Angel) and some ear-catching moments (Speedbike). It is a good album to sit down and listen to on a wintry day at home with warm tea and look out the window. This album shows they can craft tunes well and that they have room to grow and develop as a band since all the foundations are there in terms of talent and skills. I look forward to hearing more from them.
The album starts with a calm and melancholic tune (the title track) that could serve as a soundtrack for a farewell scene; for some reason I started thinking about a car driving down a remote highway somewhere in a remote landscape, in the autumn. This may sound tacky perhaps but the tune isn’t as it has a slightly somber mood to it, of leaving something behind and starting something new. This is pretty much the spirit of this album; a mostly slow paced and sad-sounding music evoking emotions with the beauty and textures of the music.
With initial listening, this album may pass you by unnoticed but not rightly so. Indeed, I was more taken by the music as I listened attentively on my headphones, grasping the faint nuances of the violin and the effective guitar and drum work. With further listening I was able to hear the variety of emotions conveyed in the different tunes whether through the chords or the pace of the compositions. - Hanging Sounds

Iz Washington Dc-a dolazi trio kojeg cine Bill Martien (gitara), Watt Clarke (bubnjevi) i Alissa Taylor (violina). Tokom prošle 2010-e godine su u sopstvenj režiji objavili debitantsko izdanje, koje je pratila i turneja po 11 americkih država.

Star FK Radium su neo classical/ambiental sastav, cija neobicna muzicka ponuda je bazirana na izuzetno atmosfericnoj muzici i dark raspoloženja. Kompleksna aranžmanska rešenja, izuzetno precizno muziciranje, ali i jedna psihološka postavka koja ukljucuje više klasicno muzicko videnje izražajnog i izvodackog koncepta, karakteristika su onoga što Star Fk Radium nude.

“Blue Siberia” se sastoji od 9 numera/tema, koje nisu toliko lake za prihvatanje, ali su sa aspekta konzumenta inspirativne. Pomenuta aranžmanska kompleksnost i sigurna produkcija takode cine ovo izdanje – ozbiljnim i na neki svoj nacin ubedljivim. Pred triom je obecavajuca buducnost i perspektiva, ukoliko naravno nastave sa ovakvim nacinom autorskog rada i razmišljanja. Takode, njihova ponuda je prihvatljiva širem sloju slušalackog auditorijuma i razlicitim konzumentskim profilima. - Time Machine Music

Dobbiamo riconoscerlo: la globalizzazione ha i suoi risvolti buffi e positivi. Chi avrebbe mai pensato che una band americana avrebbe spedito in Europa un album che di americano non ha nulla e che, anzi, suona così europeo da risultare splendidamente datato?

Rock da camera? Un folk dalla vivace vena progressiva? Tutto e niente. "Blue Siberia" degli Star FK Radium, da Washington DC, segue dei canoni ben precisi ma lo fa con un approccio saldamente ancorato al presente, a un'estetica che guarda al repertorio classico attraverso una lente pop, a una visione moderna (e non modernizzata) di quell'indole malinconica tipica della musica europea di fine XIX secolo. La deriva romantica è evidente e alla lunga forse tinge il lavoro di una vena talmente nostalgica da lasciare che la musica si impigrisca nei facili territori di una malinconia ai quali l'album sembra arrendersi.

La parte principale la recita il violino di Alissa Taylor e il suo contributo è determinante: leggero nell'incedere ma pesante nella presenza. Lo strumento assume connotati quasi "vocali", di solista tra i solisti, facendosi portavoce di una linea melodica certamente mai banale ma quasi esclusivamente tendente al "minore".
Il poco tempo che la band ha avuto a disposizione in studio depone sicuramente a favore di un album che, forse anche per questo motivo, non soffre di sovraccarichi e leziosismi fini a se stessi ma che, al contrario, pur tradendo un'impostazione tradizionalista, ha dalla sua un'asciuttezza ruvida tipica delle produzioni più propriamente rock.

Pensi a un gruppo americano, a un violino, alla chitarra acustica e alla batteria e la mente porta in territori folk, alla musica americana (intesa come sotto-genere del folk e non come provenienza geografica) e nel peggiore dei casi al country. Con gli Star FK Radium il sillogismo dura lo spazio di poche note (la title track, "Speedbike", ad esempio) e la musica si protrae in territori che restano "di mezzo": troppo di qua per essere rock, troppo di là per essere folk e troppo poco strutturata per essere classica.
Il risultato è un ottimo album, ma non tale da lanciare il trio americano nei contesti che gli sarebbero ben più congeniali. Qualcuno ha detto che la loro musica è "come assistere a una sonata mentre viene dipinta su un album di rock acustico"; mentre forse è più un Matisse a cui Warhol ha fatto un dispetto invertendogli i colori. Facendo benissimo. - Ondarock

Há um certo tempo atrás recebi um email desta "banda" me questionando se na linha editorial do MetalVox caberia um review de seu álbum. Foi indicado o site para que a ouvisse e decidisse se o cd poderia ser enviado, dei o ok e o cd chegou. Agora você deve estar se perguntando que presepada é esta para começar a comentar este álbum, simples: o trio do Star FK Radium sequer se aproxima do conceito de Rock quiçá do Metal.

Porém executa uma música maravilhosa e que tenho certeza agradará em cheio os doometalers, certamente pelo tom melancólico do violino da brilhante Alissa Taylor. Acompanhando a moça temo o guitarrista Bill Martien e o baterista Matt Clarke. Ou seja, não há vocal e sim um trio executando música instrumental de alta qualidade.

Os americanos mandaram bem em todo o track list, não há condições alguma de afirmar que uma música se sobressai a outra, o capricho é tanto que pensaram até no formato, um lindo digipack. Meus camaradas se eu fosse você procuraria ter este material em mãos, o meu tá aqui e ninguém tasca. www.myspace.com/starfkradium
- Metal Vox

Star FK Radium is an instrumental act from Washington, D.C. that will complement nicely with the evening’s headliner.

Guitarist Bill Martien, violinist Alissa Taylor and drummer Matt Clarke make up the group that will make its Athens debut on Saturday.

They proudly call their brand of music “Chamber Rock”--a mixture of classic chamber music and more modern rock. The description fits. While the band produces some relaxing instrumental sounds, they also add an emotional intensity that clearly differentiates them from any classical preconceptions.

Star FK Radium, whose name is a play-off of Washington’s RFK Stadium, also claims to be a band of opposites.

“Whenever we’re writing a song, I think about what another person would do and what the opposite of that would be,” said Clarke. “So in a sense, I try to avoid being influenced [by other bands].” - ACRN.com

Star FK Radium is an instrumental act from Washington, D.C. that will complement nicely with the evening’s headliner.

Guitarist Bill Martien, violinist Alissa Taylor and drummer Matt Clarke make up the group that will make its Athens debut on Saturday.

They proudly call their brand of music “Chamber Rock”--a mixture of classic chamber music and more modern rock. The description fits. While the band produces some relaxing instrumental sounds, they also add an emotional intensity that clearly differentiates them from any classical preconceptions.

Star FK Radium, whose name is a play-off of Washington’s RFK Stadium, also claims to be a band of opposites.

“Whenever we’re writing a song, I think about what another person would do and what the opposite of that would be,” said Clarke. “So in a sense, I try to avoid being influenced [by other bands].” - ACRN.com

Iz Washington Dc-a dolazi trio kojeg cine Bill Martien (gitara), Watt Clarke (bubnjevi) i Alissa Taylor (violina). Tokom prošle 2010-e godine su u sopstvenj režiji objavili debitantsko izdanje, koje je pratila i turneja po 11 americkih država.

Star FK Radium su neo classical/ambiental sastav, cija neobicna muzicka ponuda je bazirana na izuzetno atmosfericnoj muzici i dark raspoloženja. Kompleksna aranžmanska rešenja, izuzetno precizno muziciranje, ali i jedna psihološka postavka koja ukljucuje više klasicno muzicko videnje izražajnog i izvodackog koncepta, karakteristika su onoga što Star Fk Radium nude.

“Blue Siberia” se sastoji od 9 numera/tema, koje nisu toliko lake za prihvatanje, ali su sa aspekta konzumenta inspirativne. Pomenuta aranžmanska kompleksnost i sigurna produkcija takode cine ovo izdanje – ozbiljnim i na neki svoj nacin ubedljivim. Pred triom je obecavajuca buducnost i perspektiva, ukoliko naravno nastave sa ovakvim nacinom autorskog rada i razmišljanja. Takode, njihova ponuda je prihvatljiva širem sloju slušalackog auditorijuma i razlicitim konzumentskim profilima. - Time Machine Music

Iz Washington Dc-a dolazi trio kojeg cine Bill Martien (gitara), Watt Clarke (bubnjevi) i Alissa Taylor (violina). Tokom prošle 2010-e godine su u sopstvenj režiji objavili debitantsko izdanje, koje je pratila i turneja po 11 americkih država.

Star FK Radium su neo classical/ambiental sastav, cija neobicna muzicka ponuda je bazirana na izuzetno atmosfericnoj muzici i dark raspoloženja. Kompleksna aranžmanska rešenja, izuzetno precizno muziciranje, ali i jedna psihološka postavka koja ukljucuje više klasicno muzicko videnje izražajnog i izvodackog koncepta, karakteristika su onoga što Star Fk Radium nude.

“Blue Siberia” se sastoji od 9 numera/tema, koje nisu toliko lake za prihvatanje, ali su sa aspekta konzumenta inspirativne. Pomenuta aranžmanska kompleksnost i sigurna produkcija takode cine ovo izdanje – ozbiljnim i na neki svoj nacin ubedljivim. Pred triom je obecavajuca buducnost i perspektiva, ukoliko naravno nastave sa ovakvim nacinom autorskog rada i razmišljanja. Takode, njihova ponuda je prihvatljiva širem sloju slušalackog auditorijuma i razlicitim konzumentskim profilima. - Time Machine Music

I’ve come to the conclusion that we are living in a really exciting time for music. A time where artists are prepared to push the boundaries on the status quo and come up with some really interesting sounds. It’s that kind of attitude that gives us a band like Star FK Radium; a trio consisting of Bill Martin (guitar), Matt Clark (drums) and Alissa Taylor (violin). Similar to the band Gentle Infidels from Vancouver that I reviewed some time back, this is a band whose sole purpose appears to be to create a new and unique sound, given the fact they buck convention by maintaining an unorthodox instrumental lineup and craft solely instrumental pieces. All that said, it’s hard not to see a band like this as falling into the prog genre, if for no other reason than they don’t fit anywhere else.



There are nine tracks on Blue Siberia and as the name implies they all display a kind of melancholy and haunting tone. This may be partially as a result of the instrumentation but also just the nature of the writing. There is a yearning feeling that is exuded from the violin, while the acoustic guitar is plucked to provide an engaging melody counterpoint. All the while the drums provide the song’s momentum. None of these songs is overly long, they’re either in the three or five minute ranges, however interestingly a number of them do make some rather dramatic shifts in song structure, changing into something entirely different a portion of the way through. There are also many moments where the music is peeled back to allow a single instrument time in the spotlight.



The music of Star FK Radium created on Blue Siberia is one that I think is almost a chamber rock style and as such will appeal to fans of bands like Karda Estra. It’s unique and even quite daring in an arty kind of way. It also avoids falling into a samey-ness trap; each of these songs holds its own identity quite well. This is definitely one of those discs you hold in reserve for when you just can’t figure out what you want to listen to. It hits all the right spots in terms of piquing one’s musical curiosity. - Jerry Lucky

I’ve come to the conclusion that we are living in a really exciting time for music. A time where artists are prepared to push the boundaries on the status quo and come up with some really interesting sounds. It’s that kind of attitude that gives us a band like Star FK Radium; a trio consisting of Bill Martin (guitar), Matt Clark (drums) and Alissa Taylor (violin). Similar to the band Gentle Infidels from Vancouver that I reviewed some time back, this is a band whose sole purpose appears to be to create a new and unique sound, given the fact they buck convention by maintaining an unorthodox instrumental lineup and craft solely instrumental pieces. All that said, it’s hard not to see a band like this as falling into the prog genre, if for no other reason than they don’t fit anywhere else.



There are nine tracks on Blue Siberia and as the name implies they all display a kind of melancholy and haunting tone. This may be partially as a result of the instrumentation but also just the nature of the writing. There is a yearning feeling that is exuded from the violin, while the acoustic guitar is plucked to provide an engaging melody counterpoint. All the while the drums provide the song’s momentum. None of these songs is overly long, they’re either in the three or five minute ranges, however interestingly a number of them do make some rather dramatic shifts in song structure, changing into something entirely different a portion of the way through. There are also many moments where the music is peeled back to allow a single instrument time in the spotlight.



The music of Star FK Radium created on Blue Siberia is one that I think is almost a chamber rock style and as such will appeal to fans of bands like Karda Estra. It’s unique and even quite daring in an arty kind of way. It also avoids falling into a samey-ness trap; each of these songs holds its own identity quite well. This is definitely one of those discs you hold in reserve for when you just can’t figure out what you want to listen to. It hits all the right spots in terms of piquing one’s musical curiosity. - Jerry Lucky

Gli Star FK Radium sono un trio di Washington, composto da Bill Martien alla chitarra, Matt Clarke alla batteria e Glissa Taylor al violino. Escono con quest’opera concepita come un viaggio verso ambienti sognanti ed eterei. Il trio crea una miscela di musica folk a tinte minimali che si dipana attraverso i nove brani, con gli strumenti che interagiscono, si fondono e dipingono fondali sonori di delicata bellezza e rarefatta consapevolezza. La chitarra di Martien guida il trio passando per momenti delicati e riflessivi a momenti più accentuati e prog. Il violino della Taylor costituisce un perfetto contrappunto alla batteria di Clarke e creano via via i temi che giudano l’ascoltatore verso mondi rarefatti. Un delicato fiocco di neve da lasciar sciogliere lentamente.
- Kathodik

Bill Martien (guitar), Matt Clarke (drums) and Alissa Taylor (violin) make up Star FK Radium, with Blue Siberia being their debut release.

Blue Siberia is washed with beautiful musical imagery relaxed and sedate for the most part, an emotional soundtrack, perfect ambience, whether the interludes are being lead by guitar, violin or drums, the mix and balance is precise and succinct. The music created is elegant, melancholic one moment, bouncy and vibrant the next, building perfection to the tones created. Even though we don’t see any epic twenty minute plus musical journeys, with beauty and quality, you don’t always need to do that. Jason Rubal has performed a stunning job on mixing and producing this album, giving you the feel that he is the silent forth member of the band, the ears of the audience.

The song titles are very fitting with the musical frame work; you can close your eyes and imagine that you are watching Josie’s Porch Swing or picturing Blue Siberia, such is the power of the musical tones, so picturesque in their structure. I really do love what has been created here.

Blue Siberia the opening track is a beautiful introduction to the whole affair, a perfect complementation of musicianship, featuring sedate and relaxing sonics, well balanced and emotional tones. Training Wheels utilises the soundtrack approach very well, Alissa’ adds her signature violin sound providing a path for Bills guitar tones, being a perfect complementation to each other. The beauty of the piece is that Matt’s drums are allowed to be assertive adding depth. Karmara is an enchanting and emotional piece that journeys slowly, featuring some stunning interaction from Bill and Alissa, whilst Matt adeptly places his precision percussions throughout.

Speedbike sees the band taking a quicker somewhat more assertive approach mimicking the journey with its rhythmic patterns. Matt really comes into his own here as Bill follows with confidence filling the gaps with his beautiful acoustic tones. Josie’s Porch Swing sees melancholy as the order of the day, whilst Alissa’s violin muses, deep in thought throughout, displaying emotional resonance; creating absolutely stunning and thought provoking images. Snow Angel just woo’s the heart, devoid of twee phrasings, as it see’s Matt again being able to ply his stickmanship, as the others weave around him. Lie In Slow Motion the longest track on the album carries on the theme, emulating the title, with its slow peaceful offerings, being allowed to grow with inclusions of some nice dynamic interactions, which disappear as quickly as the arrived. Chasing The Sun the penultimate track has a grittier approach, still staying within the constraints of all things past, just jazzing up the approach, allowing the listener to really get their teeth into the instrumentation. The Clearing sedates the soul, the calming effect to Chasing The Sun, a very fitting closing track, which brings this beautiful little album to an end, much in the same way as Blue Siberia opened the album.

Although this is only a short album by many people’s standards today, the band have really hit the nail on the head, with their succinct and impassioned presentation, a job they have managed to carry out perfectly. This is definitely a band that I now have my eye on. I am struggling to compare or reference this band to the any others I have heard throughout my musical journey, such is the uniqueness of what has been created here. The starkness of this creation brought to mind one band and their debut album, Cowboy Junkie’s and their debut Whites Off This Earth, although sonically they don’t have anything in common. It may not be everybody’s cup of tea, but is certainly mine.

- Dutch Progressive Rock Page

Un cd che profuma di tramonti autunnali e distese innevate, di prati bagnati dalla rugiada e pianure sterminati. Un cd da viaggio - prodotto da Jason Rubal dei Dresden Dolls - questo degli Star FK Radium, un nuovo trio statunitense che si propone al pubblico con una formula folk-jazz increspata dal rock della batteria e da un piglio cinematografico e visivo assai caro al post-rock degli ultimi anni.

Il chitarrista Bill Martien, il batterista Matt Clarke e la violinista Alissa Taylor lavorano molto sull'impulso visivo che stimola la "reazione musicale": non è difficile immaginare che "Blue Siberia", "Speedbike" e "Snow angel" siano figlie di viaggi, di incontri, di bocche aperte di fronte ad incanti di luce e natura. L'impianto dei 9 brani è piuttosto simile e di derivazione jazz: esposizione del tema, prevalentemente da parte del violino, e sviluppo con ampi margini di libertà, come dimostra "Training wheels", che si concede anche uno spiazzante break rock.

Ciò che può differenzaire gli SFKR dai tanti gruppi che si muovono in questa direzione è quella serietà, quel rigore e quella signorilità classici che ben si amalgamano alle pulsioni ritmiche più marcate e di ispirazione rock. Senza grande inventiva, il trio definisce "Musicbox" il proprio stile, azzeccandoci: se "Speedbike" è un impetuoso rock acustico, "Karmara" ha un'aura folk serena ma anche un senso iterativo tipico della minimal music, "Life in slow motion" è figlia di un'idea cara al prog, quella della piccola suite comprensiva di diversi movimenti.

Un bel disco per il trio americano, che ha il solo vizio di ripetersi e di non superare del tutto i limiti di una formazione ridotta e acustica. - Movimenti PROG

Star FK Radium is an acoustic, instrumental trio (violin, guitar and drums) playing a fusion of rock with classical music. "Progressive rock," you may think? Well, think again! This debut, independent release has almost nothing to do with progressive rock, as Star FK Radium's vision is much more basic and unpretentious: Instead of evolving, epic pieces, they play catchy pieces (or vocal-less songs, if you'd like), remaining accessible and compelling throughout. The focus is on beauty and melody, rather than on sophistication or experimentation... - Maelstrom.nu

Minimale e delicata, di atmosfera ma non sterile colonna sonora da ascensore, semplicissima ma di gusto. Questa la musica degli Star FK Radium, trio di Washington formato da Bill Martien alla chitarra acustica, Matt Clarke alla batteria e Alissa Taylor al violino. Sulle orme degli australiani Dirty Three, Star Fk Radium regalano un disco strumentale, in cui trame di violino fatte da poche note si inseriscono sul tappeto di incastri formati da chitarra e batteria. Melodie liquide e sognanti, mai frenetiche, capaci di far apparire e sparire, come in un gioco di prestigio, colori e paesaggi immaginari.
In questo andamento generale, sospeso tra musica classica, ambient, folk e psichedelia, c'è posto per qualche parentesi più sperimentale come Karmara, per momenti più ritmati come Speedbike, per aperture dal massimo lirismo classico come Snow Angel.
Magia e passione in un quadretto dalle tinte pastello altamente suggestivo.

Giulia Nuti - Popolo del Blues

Minimale e delicata, di atmosfera ma non sterile colonna sonora da ascensore, semplicissima ma di gusto. Questa la musica degli Star FK Radium, trio di Washington formato da Bill Martien alla chitarra acustica, Matt Clarke alla batteria e Alissa Taylor al violino. Sulle orme degli australiani Dirty Three, Star Fk Radium regalano un disco strumentale, in cui trame di violino fatte da poche note si inseriscono sul tappeto di incastri formati da chitarra e batteria. Melodie liquide e sognanti, mai frenetiche, capaci di far apparire e sparire, come in un gioco di prestigio, colori e paesaggi immaginari.
In questo andamento generale, sospeso tra musica classica, ambient, folk e psichedelia, c'è posto per qualche parentesi più sperimentale come Karmara, per momenti più ritmati come Speedbike, per aperture dal massimo lirismo classico come Snow Angel.
Magia e passione in un quadretto dalle tinte pastello altamente suggestivo.

Giulia Nuti - Popolo del Blues

It doesn't often happen to review bands like this, hard to catalogue outside the terms 'Acoustic Chamber Rock', although the booklet without any members' pictures has the end to stress out the instrumental and bucolic character of the record, completely devoid of vocals. An impressionist record that might have been played by Matisse or Monet if they had the possibility of playing nowadays with the mentality of the 19th century, that's what the songs deliver.

The title track reminds us of walks in open virgin snowy spaces even if there's no blue in the artwork at all and indeed it's a special grade of green to rule, whilst "Training Wheels" is more melancholic, featuring the violin as protagonist even tho not in solo; the composition changes later on, becoming more Rock, to calm down and get relaxed again after a few seconds. Amazing is the drums/violin duet, too.
In "Karmara" we taste high mountain air and the snow we find in the morning when we wake up in a hut and open a window. Once again when the rhythm is faster the guitar makes way to the wonderful violin vibratoes and the sparkling drumwork.
While "Speedbike" contains powerful percussions, strumming and a tight pace unfindable elsewhere (it even seems to me to hear a bass here and and in the next song but there's no trace in the credits), "Josie's Porch Swing" is another sad song where a tiny grain of Country is mixed with other forms of non-conventional Rock.
More delicate, romantic, deeply-rooted, "Snow Angel" is nothing but a day-dream, followed by a slow, autumnal and long track, "Life in Slow Motion", which abruptly turns lively on a couple of occasions. The more careful listeners will perceive different arrangements here; the music gets more orchestral, noble and the contrast with the following popular nervous arrangements shows another facade of the north American trio we didn't experience before.
"Chasing the Sun" commits the drummer the most; it might seem easy, but it takes absolute precision to enter, stop, give stress to a passage in tune with the other musicians, as well as escaping with the acoustic guitar.
"The Clearing" concludes with an inkling of Bluegrass in the sliding guitar attitude, but we should be in Siberia and not in America! Probably the roots are so strong that it's impossible to hide them through a whole record, so this song is an interesting hybrid suitable to audiences from diverse continents.

I admit I didn't know this 3-piece before, and I welcome them on the scene with respect and admiration for supplying us with 38 minutes of magic; no fillers, no boredom, yet the record is all but a mainstream one. A perfect background to relax home or during a long lonely journey.



MARKUS GANZHERRLICH - June 20th, 2010 - Rock Metal Bands

It doesn't often happen to review bands like this, hard to catalogue outside the terms 'Acoustic Chamber Rock', although the booklet without any members' pictures has the end to stress out the instrumental and bucolic character of the record, completely devoid of vocals. An impressionist record that might have been played by Matisse or Monet if they had the possibility of playing nowadays with the mentality of the 19th century, that's what the songs deliver.

The title track reminds us of walks in open virgin snowy spaces even if there's no blue in the artwork at all and indeed it's a special grade of green to rule, whilst "Training Wheels" is more melancholic, featuring the violin as protagonist even tho not in solo; the composition changes later on, becoming more Rock, to calm down and get relaxed again after a few seconds. Amazing is the drums/violin duet, too.
In "Karmara" we taste high mountain air and the snow we find in the morning when we wake up in a hut and open a window. Once again when the rhythm is faster the guitar makes way to the wonderful violin vibratoes and the sparkling drumwork.
While "Speedbike" contains powerful percussions, strumming and a tight pace unfindable elsewhere (it even seems to me to hear a bass here and and in the next song but there's no trace in the credits), "Josie's Porch Swing" is another sad song where a tiny grain of Country is mixed with other forms of non-conventional Rock.
More delicate, romantic, deeply-rooted, "Snow Angel" is nothing but a day-dream, followed by a slow, autumnal and long track, "Life in Slow Motion", which abruptly turns lively on a couple of occasions. The more careful listeners will perceive different arrangements here; the music gets more orchestral, noble and the contrast with the following popular nervous arrangements shows another facade of the north American trio we didn't experience before.
"Chasing the Sun" commits the drummer the most; it might seem easy, but it takes absolute precision to enter, stop, give stress to a passage in tune with the other musicians, as well as escaping with the acoustic guitar.
"The Clearing" concludes with an inkling of Bluegrass in the sliding guitar attitude, but we should be in Siberia and not in America! Probably the roots are so strong that it's impossible to hide them through a whole record, so this song is an interesting hybrid suitable to audiences from diverse continents.

I admit I didn't know this 3-piece before, and I welcome them on the scene with respect and admiration for supplying us with 38 minutes of magic; no fillers, no boredom, yet the record is all but a mainstream one. A perfect background to relax home or during a long lonely journey.



MARKUS GANZHERRLICH - June 20th, 2010 - Rock Metal Bands

Keine Ahnung, was Star FK Radium bedeutet, noch was das Trio aus Washington D.C. mit den endlosen Weiten Sibiriens zu tun hat. Mit der ungewöhnlichen Akustik-Besetzung Gitarre, Geige und Schlagzeug haben die Drei jedenfalls ein kammermusikalisches Kleinod voller Schönheit und Harmonie geschaffen, das keineswegs von entlegener Einsamkeit einer menschenleeren und unwirtlichen Landschaft zeugt und sich in Melancholie ergießt.

Im Gegenteil: "Blue Sibiria" verströmt Wärme, Lebenslust und mitunter sogar südliches Flair. Alissa Taylors Geige ist das uneingeschränkte Melodieinstrument, das zwar meist mit einem durchaus lieblichen Ton betört, allerdings allzu süßliche Klippen souverän umschifft. Ihr kongenialer Partner auf den Gitarrensaiten ist Bill Martien, der zupfend oder mit Anschlag die Themen vorträgt und variiert. Auch was Drummer Matt Clarke im Kontext der Stücke beiträgt, hat Klasse. Zurückhaltend untermalt er als gleichberechtigter Partner die beiden Melodieinstrumente, akzentuiert, pusht oder swingt mit Feeling im Stil eines klassischen Schlagwerkers. Stimmen werden hier nicht vermisst.
Die knapp 40 Minuten des offensichtlichen Debüts der Amerikaner sind aus einem Guss und zeugen nicht nur von großem Können, sondern auch von einer erstaunlichen Reife. Hinter den Ohrenschmeicheleien stecken reichlich Finesse und ein gutes Gespür für ansprechende Harmonien, aber auch für richtigen Groove.
Eine ausgesprochen erfreuliche Produktion, was sich auch im Sound widerspiegelt. Warm und gut aufeinander abgestimmt kommen die drei Instrumente aus den Lautsprechern, da haben Jason Rubal und seine Tontechniker die Musik wirklich hervorragend in Szene gesetzt! Wer nach Vergleichen sucht, wird mit Streif und Trio Bravo+ im RockTimes-Archiv fündig. - Rock Times

Keine Ahnung, was Star FK Radium bedeutet, noch was das Trio aus Washington D.C. mit den endlosen Weiten Sibiriens zu tun hat. Mit der ungewöhnlichen Akustik-Besetzung Gitarre, Geige und Schlagzeug haben die Drei jedenfalls ein kammermusikalisches Kleinod voller Schönheit und Harmonie geschaffen, das keineswegs von entlegener Einsamkeit einer menschenleeren und unwirtlichen Landschaft zeugt und sich in Melancholie ergießt.

Im Gegenteil: "Blue Sibiria" verströmt Wärme, Lebenslust und mitunter sogar südliches Flair. Alissa Taylors Geige ist das uneingeschränkte Melodieinstrument, das zwar meist mit einem durchaus lieblichen Ton betört, allerdings allzu süßliche Klippen souverän umschifft. Ihr kongenialer Partner auf den Gitarrensaiten ist Bill Martien, der zupfend oder mit Anschlag die Themen vorträgt und variiert. Auch was Drummer Matt Clarke im Kontext der Stücke beiträgt, hat Klasse. Zurückhaltend untermalt er als gleichberechtigter Partner die beiden Melodieinstrumente, akzentuiert, pusht oder swingt mit Feeling im Stil eines klassischen Schlagwerkers. Stimmen werden hier nicht vermisst.
Die knapp 40 Minuten des offensichtlichen Debüts der Amerikaner sind aus einem Guss und zeugen nicht nur von großem Können, sondern auch von einer erstaunlichen Reife. Hinter den Ohrenschmeicheleien stecken reichlich Finesse und ein gutes Gespür für ansprechende Harmonien, aber auch für richtigen Groove.
Eine ausgesprochen erfreuliche Produktion, was sich auch im Sound widerspiegelt. Warm und gut aufeinander abgestimmt kommen die drei Instrumente aus den Lautsprechern, da haben Jason Rubal und seine Tontechniker die Musik wirklich hervorragend in Szene gesetzt! Wer nach Vergleichen sucht, wird mit Streif und Trio Bravo+ im RockTimes-Archiv fündig. - Rock Times

Blue Siberia ist das erste komplette Album des amerikanischen Instrumental-Trios Star FK Radium mit der ungewöhnlichen Besetzung aus akustischer Gitarre (Bill Martien), Geige (Alissa Taylor) und Schlagzeug (Matt Clarke). Dies lässt schon auf einen sehr eigenständigen Sound schließen und diesen kann man vielleicht als akustischen Kammer Rock bezeichnen, der Einflüsse aus Rock, Pop, Folk und Klassik zu einem sehr melancholischen Gesamtklang verbindet.

Hört man sich die Musik von Star FK Radium an beginnen schon beim Opener und Titeltrack “Blue Siberia“ unendliche Weiten der nordischen Länder vor dem inneren Auge an einem vorüberziehen. Das klingt oft sehr nach Skandinavien. Die amerikanische Herkunft hört man nur manchmal etwas durchschimmern.
Die Melodien der von Alissa Taylor sehr gefühlvoll gespielten Geige klingen zwar zunächst recht einfach, besitzen dadurch aber eine schnell nachvollziehbare Schönheit in der man sich gleich wohlfühlt. Der minimalistische Ansatz kommt der Musik zu Gute. Hier haben sich alle drei Musiker – allesamt hervorragende Instrumentalisten – enorm viele Gedanken um die Arrangements gemacht, denn die wenigen Mittel müssen auch richtig eingesetzt werden. Und das kann man auf “Blue Siberia“ stets hören.
Seinen Teil dazu beigetragen hat sicherlich auch die Produktionsarbeit von Jason Rubal (Dresden Dolls), der der Musik den nötigen Freiraum zum Atmen lies.

Star FK Radium ist für mich eine echte Überraschung. Hier möchte man gerne einmal ein Konzert der Band erleben und ich freue mich schon jetzt auf den Nachfolger von “Blue Siberia“. Empfehlung! - Musik an Sich

Blue Siberia ist das erste komplette Album des amerikanischen Instrumental-Trios Star FK Radium mit der ungewöhnlichen Besetzung aus akustischer Gitarre (Bill Martien), Geige (Alissa Taylor) und Schlagzeug (Matt Clarke). Dies lässt schon auf einen sehr eigenständigen Sound schließen und diesen kann man vielleicht als akustischen Kammer Rock bezeichnen, der Einflüsse aus Rock, Pop, Folk und Klassik zu einem sehr melancholischen Gesamtklang verbindet.

Hört man sich die Musik von Star FK Radium an beginnen schon beim Opener und Titeltrack “Blue Siberia“ unendliche Weiten der nordischen Länder vor dem inneren Auge an einem vorüberziehen. Das klingt oft sehr nach Skandinavien. Die amerikanische Herkunft hört man nur manchmal etwas durchschimmern.
Die Melodien der von Alissa Taylor sehr gefühlvoll gespielten Geige klingen zwar zunächst recht einfach, besitzen dadurch aber eine schnell nachvollziehbare Schönheit in der man sich gleich wohlfühlt. Der minimalistische Ansatz kommt der Musik zu Gute. Hier haben sich alle drei Musiker – allesamt hervorragende Instrumentalisten – enorm viele Gedanken um die Arrangements gemacht, denn die wenigen Mittel müssen auch richtig eingesetzt werden. Und das kann man auf “Blue Siberia“ stets hören.
Seinen Teil dazu beigetragen hat sicherlich auch die Produktionsarbeit von Jason Rubal (Dresden Dolls), der der Musik den nötigen Freiraum zum Atmen lies.

Star FK Radium ist für mich eine echte Überraschung. Hier möchte man gerne einmal ein Konzert der Band erleben und ich freue mich schon jetzt auf den Nachfolger von “Blue Siberia“. Empfehlung! - Musik an Sich

It makes a change to be able to write about an instrmental trio who don’t fit under the post-rock banner. In fact, guitarist Bill Martien, drummer Matt Clarke and violinst Alissa Taylor are closer to modern classical. It probably sounds a bit dull on paper but this trio are actually dynamic and rather exciting.

‘Training Wheels’ begins in maudlin fashion but then Taylor’s violin seems uplifted, as if cold winter has transformed her into spring life. The fiercely intense ‘Speedbike’ is a straight duel between Martien and Clarke; allowing them to return to rock roots, whereas ‘Life In Slow Motion’ and ‘The Clearing’ are both wistful and pastoral. Throughout, Clarke’s drums are crisp whilst Martien and Taylor play emotionally-powered melodic battles with their instrument of choice.

On the surface, the three elements seem at odds with each other, yet further investigation reveals that – whatever pace the players stick to – their vision is undoubtedly singular and in harmony. The overall effect is reminiscent of early 4AD Records. - Leonard's Lair

It makes a change to be able to write about an instrmental trio who don’t fit under the post-rock banner. In fact, guitarist Bill Martien, drummer Matt Clarke and violinst Alissa Taylor are closer to modern classical. It probably sounds a bit dull on paper but this trio are actually dynamic and rather exciting.

‘Training Wheels’ begins in maudlin fashion but then Taylor’s violin seems uplifted, as if cold winter has transformed her into spring life. The fiercely intense ‘Speedbike’ is a straight duel between Martien and Clarke; allowing them to return to rock roots, whereas ‘Life In Slow Motion’ and ‘The Clearing’ are both wistful and pastoral. Throughout, Clarke’s drums are crisp whilst Martien and Taylor play emotionally-powered melodic battles with their instrument of choice.

On the surface, the three elements seem at odds with each other, yet further investigation reveals that – whatever pace the players stick to – their vision is undoubtedly singular and in harmony. The overall effect is reminiscent of early 4AD Records. - Leonard's Lair

Or alterna-world-beat-classical? It’s tough to typecast Star FK Radium, the arty new pop acoustic instrumental band garnering a cult following in Washington DC. Claiming influences from Hendrix to Radiohead, the trio explores undiscovered territory. Star FK Radium, whose name plays on the Mid-Atlantic venue RFK Stadium, merges guitar picking and strumming with violin and percussion. The acoustic guitar, usually a much more delicate instrument than its electric cousin, gets banged out at times, hard-rock style. Star FK Radum's tour through instrumental-land drives through tempo and mood changes, often with multiple complementary melodies per song. The band will also at times redundantly repeat a musical theme into a drone, only to launch a satisfying harmonic change, as in "Blue Siberia" (found on the MySpace page.) The fact that it's all instrumental makes it even more unusual. Star FK Radium’s principle Bill Martien has been tapped to record his single "Travel" on a of Stone Temple Pilots tribute recording due out summer 2009.

– Patrick Skelley - The Hot Sheet – www.thehotsheetrpr.com

The music from the album is very nostalgic, it floods out from itself calm string sounds with the accompaniment of acoustic guitar chords and passages as well as varied rhythms of drums. The flowing music sounds very balladic like the sung poetry (without lyrical singing) spreading calm and warm climate (skipping the fact, that the album has frosty title). Though the calm and the warmth aren't only attributes of reigning atmosphere from "Blue Siberia", because during of durations of the album sadness, some musing, gentle darkness and even fear also appear. So like the Siberian climate is changeable, so the dynamics of tracks is changeable, from very quiet and melancholy subjects to pretty energetic chordal-percussive hits. Despite of all melancholy and positive climate reigns in the music. - Metal Centre

Es is doch schön, wenn es Rock-Alben gibt, die man vielleicht nicht sofort versteht. Im Falle des akustisches US-Trios aus Washington D.C. bleibt dem Hörer wahrscheinlich nichts anderes übrig, als sich auf die von akustischer Gitarre, Geige (und gelegentlich auch Schlagzeug) erzeugten Strukturen zu konzentrieren und sonst die so wichtigen Arrangements und bunte Klangfarben der elektrischen Instrumente zu vergessen. Akustische Instrumente erzwingen bekanntlich eine höhere Aufmerksamkeit den Feinheiten gegenüber. Eines mal im voraus: bei Star FK Radium herrscht weitgehend ungestörter Wohlklang, der jedoch selbst in lyrisch-melancholischen Passagen für Geige und Gitarre nicht überstrapaziert wird. Solche Passagen können als Illustration der im Inneren des Digipacks abgebildeten Schneelandschaft dienen. Sibirisch kalt wirkt die Musik dennoch nicht. Nennen wir es mal folkiger Kammerrock, was Star FK Radium da bieten.

Mehrmals übernehmen die kompakten Akkordfolgen der akustischen Gitarre die Führung (zu solchen Entwicklungen schweigt meistens die Geigerin, als hätte sie Bedenken, etwas aggressiver agieren zu müssen), so dass es ganz leicht ist, sich eine traditionelle Rockband in einem solchen Stück vorzustellen. Der Gitarrist konzentiert sich sowieso überwiegend auf Akkorde und Arpeggios, während die Geigerin für die Melodielinien zuständig ist. Die melodischen Einfälle des Trios bleiben alles andere als plakativ und aufdringlich, daher wirkt "Blue Siberia" auf mich entspannend und kurzweilig zugleich. Ich bin jedesmal enttäuscht, dass diese CD keine 60-70 Minuten dauert.

Star FK Radium haben für sich eine originelle Nische ausgemacht. Mögen die darin noch lange ihre Ambitionen ausleben und viele Hörer für sich begeistern. - Babyblaue-seiten

Es is doch schön, wenn es Rock-Alben gibt, die man vielleicht nicht sofort versteht. Im Falle des akustisches US-Trios aus Washington D.C. bleibt dem Hörer wahrscheinlich nichts anderes übrig, als sich auf die von akustischer Gitarre, Geige (und gelegentlich auch Schlagzeug) erzeugten Strukturen zu konzentrieren und sonst die so wichtigen Arrangements und bunte Klangfarben der elektrischen Instrumente zu vergessen. Akustische Instrumente erzwingen bekanntlich eine höhere Aufmerksamkeit den Feinheiten gegenüber. Eines mal im voraus: bei Star FK Radium herrscht weitgehend ungestörter Wohlklang, der jedoch selbst in lyrisch-melancholischen Passagen für Geige und Gitarre nicht überstrapaziert wird. Solche Passagen können als Illustration der im Inneren des Digipacks abgebildeten Schneelandschaft dienen. Sibirisch kalt wirkt die Musik dennoch nicht. Nennen wir es mal folkiger Kammerrock, was Star FK Radium da bieten.

Mehrmals übernehmen die kompakten Akkordfolgen der akustischen Gitarre die Führung (zu solchen Entwicklungen schweigt meistens die Geigerin, als hätte sie Bedenken, etwas aggressiver agieren zu müssen), so dass es ganz leicht ist, sich eine traditionelle Rockband in einem solchen Stück vorzustellen. Der Gitarrist konzentiert sich sowieso überwiegend auf Akkorde und Arpeggios, während die Geigerin für die Melodielinien zuständig ist. Die melodischen Einfälle des Trios bleiben alles andere als plakativ und aufdringlich, daher wirkt "Blue Siberia" auf mich entspannend und kurzweilig zugleich. Ich bin jedesmal enttäuscht, dass diese CD keine 60-70 Minuten dauert.

Star FK Radium haben für sich eine originelle Nische ausgemacht. Mögen die darin noch lange ihre Ambitionen ausleben und viele Hörer für sich begeistern. - Babyblaue-seiten

If you heard that a band had named themselves after a stadium, what exactly would you expect their music to sound like? Something larger than life? Something you could bang your head to? Something, dare I say, you could fist pump to? Although Star FK Radium is somewhat named for the landmark of HFStivals past, you’re currently more likely to see them at Galaxy Hut rather than the Verizon Center. But the music created by this DC trio has a lot to say, even without lyrics, regardless of the venue.

Star FK Radium is the trio of acoustic guitar (Bill Martien), violin (Alissa Taylor), and drums (Matt Clarke). Their first full length release is entitled “Blue Siberia” which evokes a certain physical landscape of sorrow, beauty and solitude. The music obliges by painting emotion through every step of the album. So much so, the record’s producer, Jason Rubal (Dresden Dolls, Bitter Ruin) is quoted as saying “The music of Star FK Radium may be the most haunting I have ever done, while at the same time the most comforting.”

How do you classify haunting, yet comforting? Some have called their music “Chamber Rock”, while the band has taken to the label of “musicbox”. A living musicbox might be a closer description. All three of them are working moving parts and breathe their own life into the music making it less mechanical and more organic. The music isn’t one type of genre, but a multitude of them, blended as they flow and move from place to place. At times, it’s as if you’re witnessing a sonata being painted over an acoustic rock record.

The band’s Myspace page has a quote from someone saying their music would make a great soundtrack, and it’s true. I just happened to be listening to “Blue Siberia” during our recent snow storm (round 1) late at night as I looked out the window. There was a street, usually bustling with life, abandoned, and as the snow fell and the wind blew, the streetlights shown down on the snow, highlighting the emptiness of the area. I thought how fitting the two went together. And that’s the thing about this record, it can elicit feelings of discovery mixed with nostalgia. It’s a land not trekked by many. Haunting yet comforting.

Star FK Radium’s new album is now available online and they’ll be playing back in town in April after a March west coast tour. Visit www.starfkradium.com for info, live videos and more. - District of Sound

Washington DC area Star FK Radium is an instrumental trio of violin (Alissa Taylor), acoustic guitar (Bill Martien), and drums (Matt Clarke). Their debut full length release entitled Blue Siberia is an artful journey of emotion through peace, sadness, solitude, and beauty.

Atmospherically it takes you to a place that is tranquil, sorrowful, and exquisite. They are truly masters at eliciting a wide variety of feelings through their music. Blue Siberia is hauntingly beautiful and so very calming and peaceful. The violin is exquisitely classical at times while also providing a graceful sorrowful tone. The acoustic guitar is hypnotic and soothing. The drums, providing various rhythms, are not overpowering and give the perfect accompaniment to the violin and guitar.

Star FK Radium has simplified music in a world of synthesizers, electronics, and drum machines and has done what music is supposed to do: touch your soul in a meaningful way.

Overall, this is an amazing album and I would highly recommend it to those who enjoy acoustic guitar, chamber metal, classical, and those who are just looking for something more meaningful in your music. http://www.starfkradium.com/ - Metal Revolution

STAR FK RADIUM haben einen sperrigen Bandnamen und machen dafür umso schönere Musik. Zu dritt, mittels einer Gitarre, einer Violine und einem zuweilen jazzigen Drumset komponieren sie instrumentale Songs, die einmal fragil und friedlich klingen und gekonnt mit Akkordfolgen, wie man sie eher aus der Country-Musik kennt, spielen. Ein anderes Mal brechen sie hektisch aus, in den düstersten Momenten an die akustischen OPETH oder, dank der Violine, an APOCALYPTICA erinnernd und mit arpeggierten Gitarrenlicks auch mal in klassische Gefilde abdriftend.

Zu den Inspirationsquellen des Trios aus Washington, DC, gehören nicht nur Mainstream-Acts wie U2 oder die STONES, deren Gespür für melodiöse Hooks durchscheint, sondern Bands wie BOARDS OF CANADA, die man eher der Avantgarde zurechnen würde. So klingen denn auch STAR FK RADIUM wie eine Band, die sich, was ihre künstlerischen Ansichten angeht, nicht korrumpieren lässt, aber trotzdem vor schierem Avantgardismus zurückschreckt und vielmehr auf Songstrukuren setzt, die irgendwie vertraut klingen, auch wenn man sie aus vollkommen anderen Stilrichtungen zu kennen meint. Das klingt ein wenig wie gefälliger Pop, über den man einen Teppich epischer Filmmusik und versierter Instrumentalkunst legt.

Gerade die Songs „Life in Slow Motion“ und „Chasing The Sun“ sind gute Beispiele für die Herangehensweise von STAR FK RADIUM, spiegeln sie doch wider, wie gekonnt die Band klassische, jazzige und rockige Einflüsse zu Kompositionen mit einer sehr spezifischen Atmoshäre verarbeitet. „Blue Siberia“ ist ein gelungenes, vielleicht ein wenig zu kurzes Album geworden, das der Band hoffentlich auch über den Osten der Vereinigten Staaten hinaus die Aufmerksamkeit zuteil kommen lassen wird, die sie verdient. - Burn Your Ears Webzine

STAR FK RADIUM haben einen sperrigen Bandnamen und machen dafür umso schönere Musik. Zu dritt, mittels einer Gitarre, einer Violine und einem zuweilen jazzigen Drumset komponieren sie instrumentale Songs, die einmal fragil und friedlich klingen und gekonnt mit Akkordfolgen, wie man sie eher aus der Country-Musik kennt, spielen. Ein anderes Mal brechen sie hektisch aus, in den düstersten Momenten an die akustischen OPETH oder, dank der Violine, an APOCALYPTICA erinnernd und mit arpeggierten Gitarrenlicks auch mal in klassische Gefilde abdriftend.

Zu den Inspirationsquellen des Trios aus Washington, DC, gehören nicht nur Mainstream-Acts wie U2 oder die STONES, deren Gespür für melodiöse Hooks durchscheint, sondern Bands wie BOARDS OF CANADA, die man eher der Avantgarde zurechnen würde. So klingen denn auch STAR FK RADIUM wie eine Band, die sich, was ihre künstlerischen Ansichten angeht, nicht korrumpieren lässt, aber trotzdem vor schierem Avantgardismus zurückschreckt und vielmehr auf Songstrukuren setzt, die irgendwie vertraut klingen, auch wenn man sie aus vollkommen anderen Stilrichtungen zu kennen meint. Das klingt ein wenig wie gefälliger Pop, über den man einen Teppich epischer Filmmusik und versierter Instrumentalkunst legt.

Gerade die Songs „Life in Slow Motion“ und „Chasing The Sun“ sind gute Beispiele für die Herangehensweise von STAR FK RADIUM, spiegeln sie doch wider, wie gekonnt die Band klassische, jazzige und rockige Einflüsse zu Kompositionen mit einer sehr spezifischen Atmoshäre verarbeitet. „Blue Siberia“ ist ein gelungenes, vielleicht ein wenig zu kurzes Album geworden, das der Band hoffentlich auch über den Osten der Vereinigten Staaten hinaus die Aufmerksamkeit zuteil kommen lassen wird, die sie verdient. - Burn Your Ears Webzine

There are things about Star FK Radium that are hard to believe. Like the fact that a lot of trip-hop fans would absolutely love their music, even though they are a 3-piece instrumental group - acoustic guitar, violin and drums. Or that they not just list such diverse music genres as grunge or 60's rock as their influences, but you can clearly hear the reflections of those influences in their works. If a picture is better than a thousand words, then Star FK Radium's music is better than a picture - within every song they create a live, vibrant, ever-changing world, that a thousand words would fail to describe.

I asked Bill Martien (guitar), Matt Clarke (drums) and Alissa Taylor (violin) a few questions about their music, their fans, and, naturally, trip-hop. - Trippin' the Rift

There are things about Star FK Radium that are hard to believe. Like the fact that a lot of trip-hop fans would absolutely love their music, even though they are a 3-piece instrumental group - acoustic guitar, violin and drums. Or that they not just list such diverse music genres as grunge or 60's rock as their influences, but you can clearly hear the reflections of those influences in their works. If a picture is better than a thousand words, then Star FK Radium's music is better than a picture - within every song they create a live, vibrant, ever-changing world, that a thousand words would fail to describe.

I asked Bill Martien (guitar), Matt Clarke (drums) and Alissa Taylor (violin) a few questions about their music, their fans, and, naturally, trip-hop. - Trippin' the Rift

Immaginate un microcosmo naturale, che in ogni angolo racchiude la semplice, stupefatta poesia delle cose: e’ questa l’impressione che lascia il raffinato progetto strumentali del trio di Washington Star FK Radium, che abbiamo l’onore di presentarvi in Italia.
Nove tracce, prodotte, registrate e mixate da Jason Rubal (The Dresden Dolls), in cui e’ come ritrovare il candore primigenio e l’eleganza dei suoni di un’orchestra da camera in una sfera della neve, che conserva luoghi incantati.
Mille sfumature, cangianti come le stagioni e gli stati d’animo, sono raccontate nei colori delle chitarre di Bill Martien, attraverso una grazia da carillon (si ascolti soprattutto la conclusiva “The Clearing”), o la forza minimale di un folk che pare cercare di suggere la magia pura dell’indie acustico canadese, il gusto per la musica che dipinge a lente pennellate paesaggi emozionali pazienti e grandiosi dei Sigur Rós e la delicatezza di arpeggi complessi quali quelli tipici di Jonny Greenwood. Ma l’ottima “Life in Slow Motion” conosce persino improvvise accensioni “latine”.
Sapiente e’ d’altronde l’orchestrazione del ritmo ad opera della batteria di Matt Clarke (si segnalano ad esempio anche le piccole accelerazioni “drammatiche” e dinamiche della struggente, morbida “Training Wheels” o la vivida, a tratti nervosa “Speedbike”). Inoltre alla “voce” portante della chitarra di Martien, che sembra settare il mood cardine di ogni brano, si affianca il canto lirico del violino di Alissa Taylor, spesso carezza perentoria come un soffio d’aria di triste rassegnazione, o ricamo onirico che come un velo si innalza, coprendolo, su di un freddo cielo invernale.
Il disco e’ tutt’altro che facile, ma la sua preziosita’ articolata, come quella di un fiocco di neve, si fa ammirare come un prodigio antico e rinnovato.
- Musicalnews.com

This trio gives music journalists a hard time. Consisiting of guitar, drums and a violin and playing strictly instrumental songs, Star FK Radium from Washington are not your everyday band. It’s difficult to find a genre to put them in, quick judgement is nearly impossible. The debut record “Blue Siberia” was recently released in the US but also has been reviewed in europe by diverese magazines from indie to metal. Bill, Matt and Alissa talked to Buzz Pop about their musical ideas and plans for the future. - Buzz Pop

This trio gives music journalists a hard time. Consisiting of guitar, drums and a violin and playing strictly instrumental songs, Star FK Radium from Washington are not your everyday band. It’s difficult to find a genre to put them in, quick judgement is nearly impossible. The debut record “Blue Siberia” was recently released in the US but also has been reviewed in europe by diverese magazines from indie to metal. Bill, Matt and Alissa talked to Buzz Pop about their musical ideas and plans for the future. - Buzz Pop

Washington DC area Star FK Radium is an instrumental trio of violin (Alissa Taylor), acoustic guitar (Bill Martien), and drums (Matt Clarke). Their debut full length release entitled Blue Siberia is an artful journey of emotion through peace, sadness, solitude, and beauty.

Atmospherically it takes you to a place that is tranquil, sorrowful, and exquisite. They are truly masters at eliciting a wide variety of feelings through their music. Blue Siberia is hauntingly beautiful and so very calming and peaceful. The violin is exquisitely classical at times while also providing a graceful sorrowful tone. The acoustic guitar is hypnotic and soothing. The drums, providing various rhythms, are not overpowering and give the perfect accompaniment to the violin and guitar.

Star FK Radium has simplified music in a world of synthesizers, electronics, and drum machines and has done what music is supposed to do: touch your soul in a meaningful way.

Overall, this is an amazing album and I would highly recommend it to those who enjoy acoustic guitar, chamber metal, classical, and those who are just looking for something more meaningful in your music. http://www.starfkradium.com/

http://www.metal-revolution.com/plugins/content/content.php?content.2898 - Metal Revolution Webzine

"In these days of soulless electronic pop, it's great to hear music that is simple and unpretentious, yet unique, melodic and wonderfully innovative. Star FK Radium are as intriguing as their name." - Mark Juddery - The Sydney Morning Herald