How
and when was the band formed?
Warren:
I met Neil when a mutual friend of ours asked us independently
to start playing with him, then after a few practices he bailed. But Neil and I
kept going and some other people ended up joining in and we played around for a
couple years. When that band ended we wanted to play some of our own stuff so
we started the starlight run, probably around 2014 or so.
Neil:
We started after the previous band we were in dissolved. We
had gotten together before and played around with stuff before, but it wasn't
until the other band broke up that we took it seriously. We’ve been around for
about 3 years I believe. I’m not too sure.
Can
you tell us what the band has been working on and what you've got forthcoming
in the near future (any new releases, tour, etc.)?
W:
We put out an EP a month or so ago on Bandcamp called Let’s Float. And we just covered “I Heard Her Call My Name” on The
Blog That Celebrates Itself’s Velvet Underground tribute: After
Hours, Velvets In Another View. Was super cool to be a part of that,
been a Velvets fan forever. We’ve been working on an album on and off for a
while, most of it probably predates the EP we just did. But it’s getting there,
and hopefully it’ll be out around the beginning of next year.
I’m in another band called d.e.b.b.i.e. with my
friend Edmand. We’ve been friends for years and were in a few bands together
too. We finally started back up again last year and then put out an EP on
Bandcamp in April called Cousin Larry.
Its more synthy stuff than The Starlight Run, but still pretty dream poppy with
a little shoegaze and some 80s new wave and 90s indie rock thrown in maybe.
We’re finishing up another EP that will probably be done by the end of the year
and have a bunch of songs ready for an album after that.
N:
We released an EP entitled Let’s
Float last month, and we have our first full length in the works. We were
also just on a Velvet Underground tribute from The Blog that Celebrates Itself.
Do
you consider your music to be part of the current shoegaze/dream pop scene, or
any scene? Defining one's sound by genre can be tiresome, but do you feel that
the band identifies closely with any genre? How do you feel about genres in
music, in a general sense?
W:
I think we definitely fit in with that stuff. I don’t really
think about it while were coming up with songs or configure them to be a part
of any scene or anything. But I’m happy to be in it if we are. A lot of the
bands I love are probably considered shoegaze or dream pop, so it’s cool. Whatever
helps people find the music they’re interested in is a good thing so having a
genre to be associated with is useful.
N:
I feel that we fit in pretty well with the Shoegaze and Dream
Pop scene. We have a love for that type of music and enjoy playing it. Slapping
genres onto a band can be a necessary evil. It can help someone who’s never
heard of a band get an idea of what they may sound like. People can get a
little carried with genres though.
What
do you think of modern shoegaze/dream pop/psychedelia artists, any favorites?
W: There are tons of great bands
these days that could be considered under the general umbrella of
shoegaze/dream pop/etc. Vivienne Eastwood, Black Marble, Hookworms, Drab
Majesty, Merchandise, Preoccupations, Soft Lashes, The Virgance to name a few
recent ones I really dig.
N:
There are a lot of great bands out there. I’m really fond of
Fleeting Joys at the moment, even though they’re not that new. I’ve gotten lazy
with finding new bands. I’ve been looking back and finding older bands that I
missed. Warren is much better with finding new bands than I am.
What
is the most important piece of gear for your sound? Any particular
guitars/pedals/amps that you prefer?
W:
My Mac is probably the most important. Everything we do goes
through it one way or another. I mostly play a Jazzmaster with vox or fender
amps and I’m always trying out new pedals. I’m not super techy and don’t know
what makes what sounds so everything is mostly determined by whatever pedal or
effects I’m trying out, with a bunch of trial and error thrown in. And I don’t
really like to keep up with the settings I use on them, I like finding
something different or the process of finding some new sounds or ways to
combine them. It helps keep things interesting and not get limited to any
specific sound. Or maybe I’m just too lazy to keep up with it.
N:
I’m not sure I could name just one thing. Everything has its
place. I’ll tell you what I use though. I have a Fender Jaguar that has been
modified with a Fender wide Range Humbucker in the neck position. I only use my
neck pickup. As weird as it may sound, that neck pickup might be the most
important piece in my sound. I have a Fender 65 Twin Reverb amp that I
absolutely love. As for pedals, I use a Deluxe Memory Boy, a Cathedral reverb,
a DD7, a Danelecto Daddy -O overdrive and a Rat distortion pedal. Nothing like
having and obscene amount of delay and distortion.
What
is your process for recording your music? What gear and/or software do you use?
What would you recommend to other?
W:
It usually just starts off with some chords or riff or melody
and throw that over some drums, then start layering stuff up. The actual
recording part is usually pretty quick, then there’s a long process of editing
stuff down and trying to reach some decent degree of fidelity. Everything gets
recorded at home on the mac with logic software. It’s all I’ve ever used and it
pretty user friendly so I’d recommend it.
N:
Warren is the recording mastermind. I’ll let him handle this
one.
When
it comes to label releases versus DIY/Bandcamp and the like, what is your
stance, if any?
W:
Everything we’ve put out so far has been independently
released on Bandcamp, but would definitely up for putting out some stuff on a
label. I’m not a DIY purest or anything. Could always use any help, advice, and
exposure they offer. Not to mention the backing and distribution. But not sure
if we are or would get big enough to perk any labels interest.
N:
In the day with social media being so prevalent, I don’t think
it really matters if you’re on a label or not. Anyone can get a ton of
attention just using social media.
Do
you prefer vinyl, CD, cassette tape or mp3 format when listening to music? Do
you have any strong feelings toward any of them?
W:
Probably like most people I mostly listen to mp3s. But I still
buy some CDs and records of stuff I really like. I don’t know, I still like
having the physical copy to hold and look at. Feels more substantial and
permanent.
N:
At home, we listen to a lot of vinyl. We’ve been working on
growing our collection. As far as a preference, I don't really have one. As
long as I can listen to music, I don't care what format it is.
What
artists (musicians or otherwise) have most influenced your work?
W:
That’s hard to say. There are too many over the years that I
have been into and have influenced me in general. But when I’m working on
something it feels more introspective and personal. I’m usually just by myself
concentrating or just trying not thinking of anything. Allowing things to go
wherever they go. Maybe I should be thinking about it or more conscious of
artists that have shaped our sound. There are little things/sounds or maybe the
general feel of a song that I rip off of from people all the time. Sorry. But
the actual process of coming up with something is more insular and inward. Not
to get too overwrought about it. It’s mostly just a boring process of trying
different stuff again and again until it something clicks. That being said Alex
Chilton, David Bowie, Brian Eno, and Lou Reed would make a pretty impressive Mount
Rushmore of influences.
N:
For me I’d have to say The Appleseed Cast, Sonic Youth, My
Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, Early U2, The Cure are a few that come to mind.
What
is your philosophy (on life), if any, that you live by?
W:
I just like trying to stay busy and always working on new
stuff with my friends.
N:
Don't be a jerk. Be kind to everyone you meet. Help others
that need help. Try to be positive especially in trying times.
