Born in a small Wisconsin blue-collar town, Mike Starling ditched the assembly line for a long, sometimes circuitous career working with words, sound and images.
His original music is heard on numerous recordings and soundtracks, and his stories and photos have been featured in books, films, mags and other media.
Among his other interesting career moves, he has edited a beer magazine, played bass in a reggae band and sold potato chips door-to-door. Inspired by the life-altering events of our pal the pandemic, he launched a year-long web-based project called I Remember Travel on 1/1/21.
His original music is heard on numerous recordings and soundtracks, and his stories and photos have been featured in books, films, mags and other media.
Among his other interesting career moves, he has edited a beer magazine, played bass in a reggae band and sold potato chips door-to-door. Inspired by the life-altering events of our pal the pandemic, he launched a year-long web-based project called I Remember Travel on 1/1/21.
BACKWATERS is Starling's latest full-length album release, and combines music with photography to help raise funds and awareness for a good cause. The first video (above) showcases the photography of John F. Sullivan of the Friends of the La Crosse River Marsh, a nonprofit, volunteer group whose mission is to preserve, protect and enhance the 1,000-acre urban wetlands and trail system through action, advocacy, and education.
“Music created by local artists has a way of capturing the essence of our places, spiriting us back to the landscapes that define us," says Chuck Lee, president of the nonprofit group. "This is why Friends of the La Crosse River Marsh is honored that Mike Starling and Momentous Records wanted to partner with us on the release of their new album."
For a limited time, this suite of six loosely linked guitar ensemble pieces is free to download at Bandcamp. We ask that those who are able consider making a small donation to the Friends of the La Crosse River Marsh to help them preserve these essential Wisconsin wetlands.
September 2021 marked the first release from Starling-Huus, a collaboration with Minnesota musician / producer / studio owner Brett Huus. Their jazzy instrumental track, QUIESCENCE, is all about the restorative power of nature, music and friendship.
"One day several years ago, after receiving some particularly troubling news, we went on a long hike on the Hixon Forest nature trails here in the Driftless Region of western Wisconsin. Immediately after we made a beeline for the studio, hit the power, plugged in and played," Starling says. "The improvised, free-form jam you hear was done in one take, totally unplanned and off the cuff. No overdubs, no punch-ins, no post-production trickery. Just a bass, a piano, a loop... and the energy we were feeding off of in that moment."
Over the years, Starling has performed and/or recorded with a number of original music bands including Buzz Butler, Bean Hoy, the Sons of Distortion, the Mall Weirdos and the Joe Price blues band. As a member of the Coalition of Photographic Arts, his work was selected for several group exhibits and juried shows, He continues to explore new ways to combine music and photography in solo and collaborative projects.
THE CITY AT NIGHT: Spoken word with still photography, moving pictures and electric guitar
LIVE WITHOUT DEAD TIME: THE STREETS OF AMSTERDAM: Street photography with acoustic guitar
FITS RIGHT IN: Music video featuring Mike Starling and the Sons of Distortion
I REMEMBER TRAVEL: Multimedia web project
Since 2018, Starling has served on the advisory board of the La Crosse Jazz Orchestra, a nonprofit whose mission is to promote, preserve and forward the creation of jazz music through area live performances.
This is the about/bio page on the official website of the writer, artist and musician Mike Starling. "The Floating World" video is a joint production of Nine Volt Media and Momentous Records with music by Starling and photography by John F. Sullivan of Friends of the La Crosse River Marsh. Fits Right In written by Starling and Jim Peterson. Music recording produced, mixed and mastered by Michael von Muchow at Actual Sound Studio, La Crosse, Wisconsin USA. Video shot and edited by Ashley Worden. Words, music and images in The City at Night and Live Without Dead Time films by Starling. All music published by Bean Hoy Music (BMI). Starling on bass photo by L. Hinzman. Website developed and managed by Nine Volt Media. ©MMXX-MMXXII All rights reserved.
