Oops!

It looks like you don't have flash player 6 installed. Click here to go to Macromedia download page.

For any band, releasing an album on CD is no small task. The considerations are huge, ranging from the song order to the album artwork and liner notes, not to mention payment for all the materials for mass production. This is usually the stage where a record label seems like a necessity for bands and artists to be able to get an album printed and ready to be sold, which does sometimes lead to the argument over how much the bands and the labels should be paid for their hard work. In the case of Starlit, they've managed to release their debut album with no major label backing, relying solely on a considerable and intense fanbase and their own sense of dedication, what lead singer Simara Rose calls "perse-fucking-vering." Persevere they have, as the trio of Simara, Max, and Kieron Menzies released a six-track EP in '04, and the full-length She Was a Spicy She-Wolf in '05, introducing their sultry blend of seductive melodies and industrial strength rock and roll to the music world in style. Besides their music, Starlit also have an incredible presence on the Internet, due in no small part to Simara's burlesque imagery and sensual vocals, as well as a growing audience on Myspace through which they not only connect with their fans but endorse such causes as animal liberation and human rights. Simara took some time to discuss with ReGen just what drives Starlit's ambitions, what inspires their music and their art, and the dynamics of a '40s style cover of David Bowie.

How did the word Starlit come to be the band name? What is its significance to the band's sound and style?

Simara: Ever since a young age, I have felt different than the world. In some ways this was good, but in a lot of ways it felt very alienating. I did not seem to fit into the world around me, nor did I want to connect to many things, which I felt were horrific. I would run away a lot. Aside from feeling comfort in music and film, I would feel a sense of hope when gazing up to the night sky. The stars above were heavenly, soothing, euphoric, and promised a better time, a better world, a better me. And I proclaimed myself to be lit by the stars... carried, guided, marked, and inspired by something bigger than me, and something beautiful. Later as a teen, when I married music, I knew that no other name would do for my band. It also is the first tattoo I ever got underneath my eye so that my vision would be focused on all of that. To me, being Starlit in body, mind, and spirit is living in a stoical way, overcoming any obstacles, perse-fucking-vering. Our music has a heart that is Starlit as well.

Max and Kieron Menzies are credited with co-writing the music, with Kieron also responsible for production and mixing. How did Kieron and Max come to be part of the band and how have their contributions shaped the sound of Starlit?

Simara: Max is my brother and soulmate. We started writing together about a decade ago. Kieron was another blessing that we met about three years ago. Max, Kieron, and I are like a trinity. All three parts are equally important to what is the incarnation of Starlit that you hear at present. Each of us is an intense, deep, never ending, colorful, eclectic world on our own. Together we create an innovative and revolutionary universe. I am sure we will have the pleasure of working with other kindred spirits in future Starlit collaborations and manifestations. We already had the gift of working with Sascha from KMFDM, who is a genius and a gent.

While the music is credited to the three band members, the lyrics and imagery are credited to you, both of which exert a very feminine sexual image. What sort of message are the lyrics and images meant to portray? How much do the lyrics and images relate to you as a person? Are they extensions of your personality, or are they intended purely for entertainment?

Simara: Honestly, there is no entertainment here. Starlit is not by any means a band that does splits and whistles. Starlit is my therapy, my religion, my continual evolution. It is also the result of everything and everyone that Max, Kieron, and myself have experienced. Aside from "I Want You," the songs are not meant to focus on a sexual essence, but music in itself is sexual. Music is like endless rebirths. All the people who help make it, each note, each lyric, each feeling... such creativity going on, and all that inspires things to stir and emerge and be invoked in the listener. I never sit down and decide that I will specifically send this message or that message to a listener. I listen to the music and a mini-film spins in my heart, sending images to my mind, then feelings well up and melodies follow until words spill out. I won't, however, write a song that leaves the listener feeling like the way to slit their wrists. All of our songs have an empowering vibe.

Both your debut EP and album have been released independently without any major label backing. Is the band interested in signing any kind of record deal? What do you see as the benefits/detriments to releasing music independently versus through a label? If you were to sign to a record label, which one do you think would be ideal?

Simara: Yes, we will be on a label, but not just any label. In my opinion, 99 percent of industry people have their heads up their asses. That would account for how much music sounds like a wet fart; bubblegum fart. We are looking for that one person or team of people who are fearlessly innovative and revolutionary. They will have a label that sees us for who we are: a focused, driven, talented original band and revels in that and desires to further that. We will always have creative control, we won't be told what to sing, how to play music, and what to wear. To me, being a success is not selling out. Selling out would not be following my heart, which I am unable to do. We are very capable artists, and yet we're now at the level where we need to be signed. Being signed could help us do what we do at a faster pace. Right now it takes us a looooooooong time due to lack of funds and resources to do things. I also desire playing to the largest crowds in history as well as making billions that I will put back into the world and aide animal liberation, human rights, and environmental healing and protection. Interscope, Warner, Electra, Dreamworks... these are all potential homes for Starlit.

On your debut album She Was a Spicy She-Wolf, you perform a rather unorthodox cover of David Bowie's 'Modern Love.' Why cover this particular song? The arrangement is dramatically different from the original version; how did you approach this change in the song's dynamic?

Simara: I always loooved that song by Bowie; very sexy, with attitude. Yet, I dislike when a band covers a song and basically rides on the coattails of the original song and adds no new spin to it. We were asked to do a Bowie song for a tribute CD. The tribute CD seems to have dissipated. However, we have an incredible song now. I listen to a lot of different genres. I particularly love 1920s, '30s, '40s. I wanted to combine elements from those decades with futuristic sounds. I first revamped the melody in the verse and made it really sultry, hypnotic, yet chilling. I had the pleasure of hiring some musicians who specialized in playing music and instruments from those decades. It was sheer pleasure watching them; what a great experience.

The band Web site was originally on its own domain name, but is now exclusively on Myspace. Why is this so? What is it about a site like Myspace that appeals to Starlit and its music? Do you have any plans to have a band Web site separate from Myspace again?

Simara: Well, I have the blueprints for a spectacular Web site other than MySpace, but for now there really is no need, nor do I have the time. I talk to almost everyone on my friends list. Running a whole other Web site right now would be too much on my plate.

While on MySpace, you regularly post bulletins relating your views on topics such as animal rights to sexual abuse to romance, etc. What motivates you to post such bulletins? How much do these subjects influence Starlit's music and lyrics?

Simara: I feel that inspiration is the greatest gift one can share, as well as believing in yourself and another. I share with others whatever has brought me strength, hope, awareness, or happiness. I am delighted that so many thousands of people appreciate this and return it all back to me. It's a beautiful cycle. All my lyrics are poetically perfumed with topics I discuss in my bulletins. It's all one and the same.

Since your debut album, you've announced a remix of 'Muther' by KMFDM. How did this remix come about? While this remix be featured on your next album?

Simara: Man, that was another blessing. I had heard a remix that KMFDM did of Kittie's 'Safe' and loved it. People were always talking about KMFDM, but I never had sunk my teeth into them until recently, and when I did I was blown away, especially with Hau Ruck. Aside from Metallica, I would have to say that KMFDM is my favorite band at present. They are truly talented. However, I am really appreciative of how generously kind Sascha is, very supportive and helpful with no weird hidden agendas. He seems to really want to see us do all that we can and that is rare. Kindness in humanity is rare in general, so I really appreciate it when I am gifted with it. Kindness and help from someone whose work you admire is even more rare. So Sascha, his wife Lucia, the whole band... I really salute them. I am not sure when or where that remix will be released.

Has Starlit played any live shows yet, and if not, are there any plans to do so? What would constitute a Starlit live performance?

Simara: Starlit played every hole in the wall to the Knitting Factory and House of Blues before we created our CD. It was great and I earned some battle scars and had some epiphanies. This time around, we are at a new level and we need to put on shows of a higher caliber. I am not sure exactly when, but have faith. Our shows will leave you breathless, moved, and fueled with fiery intoxication.

What more can you tell us about your next album? What kind of changes in the music, lyrics, personnel, etc. will take place? Do you have any idea on a possible release date?

Simara: We are working on five new songs at present. Count on another CD that will blow your mind and spirit.