Summoning the classic sound of enigmatic record label 4AD and crafting songs with the tension of modern Brit rock and distinctly American influences, Starling Crush aren’t looking to follow any current musical trends with their debut album Tea Leaves, Murder and Dreaming - they’re inspiring their own.
Cultivated in a tree house-like studio in Brooklyn, NY, the band is comprised of vocalist / songwriter Jennifer Glass and guitarist / producer Michael Simone. “There weren’t any rules or time limits,” says Simone “We just wanted to take Jennifer’s songs and make them sound like the records we grew up lionizing, and then build a band that could do the album justice.” It’s of little surprise then to discuss the album without mentioning apparent influences that range from The Cocteau Twins, The Sundays, Snow Patrol (a cover of their song “You Could Be Happy” appears on the record) and Bruce Springsteen. Springsteen?
Jennifer Glass' first introduction to the music world was an appearance on Light of Day: A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen, where she covered "Bobby Jean”, for which she garnered critical acclaim for her unique interpretation of a rock classic. Her first solo effort, the Little Shout EP was released in 2006, followed by stints opening for Rhett Miller, Dave Matthews Band and Ben Kweller. Dave Marsh, celebrated rock journalist and host of the Sirius radio program “Kick Out The Jams”, says Glass “speaks from the heart”, an essential element of her soulful, melodic writing.
Michael Simone spent the first part of the millennium enjoying massive success under the name Lovesky. His single Drums 4 Better Daze sold record amounts of vinyl and appeared on various definitive DJ mix CDs. Worldwide praise followed from DJs, producers and dancers alike for his unique production style of rhythmic tracks dripping with stark emotion and featuring his own vocals and live instrumentation. A quarter of a million units later, the four on the floor and Rave culture found Simone at creative loose ends. Putting the brakes on Lovesky and relocating to New York, Simone then formed the post punk outfit Seems So Bright, who would share a bill with Glass for a show in 2007.
Shortly after, Glass and Simone took to the studio. The result was “For You”, and the beginning of what would become the pairing of the two as Starling Crush. It’s the duo’s distinctly different backgrounds that make Tea Leaves, Murder and Dreaming such an interesting infusion of concepts. Whether you view the result as a nod to the vision of the sonic 4AD oeuvre (Vaughan Oliver, 4AD veteran and lauded graphic artist created the artwork for their album) or Americana with ethereal guitars, it’s clear that Starling Crush has a sound that just might be the start of their own.
