What are your names?
Kimi Shelter
Aaron Lecesne
Emily Moon
Kriss Tokaji
Kimi Shelter
Aaron Lecesne
Emily Moon
Kriss Tokaji
Tell us the story behind the name ‘StarBenders‘.
Sometimes we just know what things need to be. When it came time to name the band, the elements provided and the name was quickly revealed.
Sometimes we just know what things need to be. When it came time to name the band, the elements provided and the name was quickly revealed.
What is your genre of music?
We’re genre fluid but we lie somewhere between rock n’ roll, pop and fuck it.
We’re genre fluid but we lie somewhere between rock n’ roll, pop and fuck it.
Give us a little bio about you as a band and individuals.
Aaron and I have known each other the longest. We played in a band together that broke up and stuck with one another. Kriss came in next when we heard him laying waste at a house show. Last to join was Emily. She had an ad up on Craigslist and Aaron reached out to her. Three days later we were playing shows together and the rest is history!
Aaron and I have known each other the longest. We played in a band together that broke up and stuck with one another. Kriss came in next when we heard him laying waste at a house show. Last to join was Emily. She had an ad up on Craigslist and Aaron reached out to her. Three days later we were playing shows together and the rest is history!
Describe each other in two words.
Kriss – guitar hero
Emily – bad ass
Aaron – smart blonde
Kimi – rebel rebel
Kriss – guitar hero
Emily – bad ass
Aaron – smart blonde
Kimi – rebel rebel
Are you a signed?
Yes, to Institution Records.
Yes, to Institution Records.
Your brand new single ‘Julian’ is out now’, tell us more about it.
It is one of the more adventurous productions for us. There is a psychedelic verse that blooms into an Electric Light Orchestra inspired, densely harmonized chorus. The drums in the verses are stacked multiple times and purposely loose to create the feeling of an exotic drumline.
It is one of the more adventurous productions for us. There is a psychedelic verse that blooms into an Electric Light Orchestra inspired, densely harmonized chorus. The drums in the verses are stacked multiple times and purposely loose to create the feeling of an exotic drumline.
Describe it in two words.
Existential crisis.
Existential crisis.
What was the writing process like?
The song began as a chant I was improvising. From there it flowed through me and came into full form with the band at our space.
The song began as a chant I was improvising. From there it flowed through me and came into full form with the band at our space.
What was the recording process like?
Julian was a song we were all wildly excited to take on. The production and approach was to just be as free and explorative as possible. We did a few takes of the basic track where we all played together live. Picked the one that had the right spirit and built it out from there. We had a lot of fun recording Julian. It was a beautiful moment in time for us.
Julian was a song we were all wildly excited to take on. The production and approach was to just be as free and explorative as possible. We did a few takes of the basic track where we all played together live. Picked the one that had the right spirit and built it out from there. We had a lot of fun recording Julian. It was a beautiful moment in time for us.
Will we see a video for the track? if so when
For sure! Look for it in January!
For sure! Look for it in January!
Will you be releasing a new EP or Album this year?
We are pretty stoked to share new music with everyone. Going for an EP this time around that will be released January 2018.
We are pretty stoked to share new music with everyone. Going for an EP this time around that will be released January 2018.
If so can you tell us anything about it?
Julian is the single off the new EP. For us, there’s a lot of evolution on it. This record embodies everything we feel and are going through in our lives now.
Julian is the single off the new EP. For us, there’s a lot of evolution on it. This record embodies everything we feel and are going through in our lives now.
Will you be touring this year?
We are on tour currently! Check out our website for dates as we’re adding them everyday.
We are on tour currently! Check out our website for dates as we’re adding them everyday.
What made you go in to music?
It’s our calling, there was never anything else. We are all singular in vision. Fuck hobbies, who’s got time for that?!
It’s our calling, there was never anything else. We are all singular in vision. Fuck hobbies, who’s got time for that?!
Do you play any instruments?
I play guitar, bass and violin. Aaron plays all stringed instruments, keyboards and cell phone. Kriss plays guitars and piano. Emily plays everything from drums, guitar, piano, bass, ukulele and occasionally flute.
I play guitar, bass and violin. Aaron plays all stringed instruments, keyboards and cell phone. Kriss plays guitars and piano. Emily plays everything from drums, guitar, piano, bass, ukulele and occasionally flute.
Who are your influences?
Bowie, Blondie, The Cramps, Sex Pistols, New York Dolls and high population noise pollution.
Bowie, Blondie, The Cramps, Sex Pistols, New York Dolls and high population noise pollution.
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
Love is my truest inspiration. I personally do not try and cultivate the perfect circumstances for writing. The only thing we make sure to do is rush to record when the spirit hits us.
Love is my truest inspiration. I personally do not try and cultivate the perfect circumstances for writing. The only thing we make sure to do is rush to record when the spirit hits us.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
In the studio, on the road, on the stage, rinse, lather, repeat!
In the studio, on the road, on the stage, rinse, lather, repeat!
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
Aaron sucks on scorpion lollipops and plays Pokémon Go, Emily loves Cheez-its and Legos, Kriss is never not doing music and I enjoy time with my beloved cat, Puffin and watching history documentaries.
Aaron sucks on scorpion lollipops and plays Pokémon Go, Emily loves Cheez-its and Legos, Kriss is never not doing music and I enjoy time with my beloved cat, Puffin and watching history documentaries.
Where would your dream venue to play in your hometown?
The Fox Theatre! It was built by the Shriners with architectural inspiration taken form the Alhambra in Spain and Egypt’s Karnak Temple. It has really cool stained glass windows.
The performers and the audience are all underneath a sea of twinkling stars embedded in the ceiling! It’s part LSD, part psilocybin, part fairy tale and I love it!
The Fox Theatre! It was built by the Shriners with architectural inspiration taken form the Alhambra in Spain and Egypt’s Karnak Temple. It has really cool stained glass windows.
The performers and the audience are all underneath a sea of twinkling stars embedded in the ceiling! It’s part LSD, part psilocybin, part fairy tale and I love it!
If you could collaborate with one UK Artists or Band who would it be?
It’s a toss up between PJ Harvey and a freshly resurrected Freddie Mercury. If needed, a séance would do and the list would quickly become fiercely more competitive for the number one spot!
It’s a toss up between PJ Harvey and a freshly resurrected Freddie Mercury. If needed, a séance would do and the list would quickly become fiercely more competitive for the number one spot!
If you could collaborate with one US Artists or Band who would it be?
Josh Homme
Josh Homme
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene?
Kimi: Sex Pistols- Anarchy In The UK
Emily: Cursive – Art Is Hard
Aaron: Beastie Boys – Fight For Your Right
Kriss: Led Zeppelin- Black Dog
Kimi: Sex Pistols- Anarchy In The UK
Emily: Cursive – Art Is Hard
Aaron: Beastie Boys – Fight For Your Right
Kriss: Led Zeppelin- Black Dog
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
To be fearless but not reckless.
To be fearless but not reckless.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
Don’t question yourself, put a team together you trust and grow. Loyalty pays more than hopping around aimlessly. It’s how most of the greats did it!
Don’t question yourself, put a team together you trust and grow. Loyalty pays more than hopping around aimlessly. It’s how most of the greats did it!
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
Fuck it!
Fuck it!
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
Sticks, picks, tricks, licks and kicks!
Sticks, picks, tricks, licks and kicks!
