THE OFFICIAL SITE OF PHOTOMUSICO-JOURNALIST MIKE STARLING

Blending his affinity for American blues and roots music with his love of travel and world beat rhythms and instruments, Mike has created an earthy, organic sound featured in numerous soundtracks and recordings.    

                                                  "A travel writer in a musical landscape" –songwriter Mark Truesdell

Inspired by my travels to Ireland, Latin America and America's own Great River Road, my CD Guitar Moods makes full use of my unreasonably large collection of guitars and percussion instruments from around the globe in an even dozen six-string ensemble pieces.

"Quite a new world for moody, instrumental guitar subtlety. Standout moments (include) the spare rasp of Above The Clouds, the sonic narrative Rememory, the dance through dust of Amarilla and, especially, the dirge that refuses sorrow of Sophie & Boscho." 
            –Dr. Martin Jack Rosenblum, Shepherd Express

Hear free samples and buy CD  •  Mike's Didjeriblue CD
Newspaper article about Mike's soundtrack work and music career

BEAN HOY: Why can't boys be trusted? Do cows really make holes in the ozone? Were the '70s cool or just dumb? And are we the last generation of rock & roll?  In my Bean Hoy band project, I ponder dilemmas big and small to a cool and bluesy roots-funk groove with a variety of musical friends. 

Download individual albums and songs:

• Boys Can't Be Trusted
  
• Cool Music For A Big Dumb World
  
• Get Lost: The Studio J Sessions

THE SONS OF DISTORTION: A cool band project released in 2002. With old-school influences like Jimmy Page and the Rolling Stones, this is definitely my hardest-rocking CD. 

Bassist Mike von Muchow produced the 12-song disc at his Actual Sound Studios. My old Bean Hoy and Buzz Butler bandmate Casey Virock (Porcupine, Dream 13) and drummer Kevin Skrenes add plenty of punch and musical ideas to the mix too. Lead-off track Fits Right In was featured prominently in the indie comedy film Coffee Refills Are Free.

Hear free music samples and buy the CD