THE ARGON ROOM (formerly Starling)

New music these days is often seen as careerist and aspirational.
Something as artistically pure as STARLING stands out in an instant.

Former Melbourne based punk rocker, Simon Stalin moved back to Sydney, added a g and became himself.  Isolated from the outside world in a dank Annandale semi, Simon began the cathartic process that is now his debut album “Semaphore”.

Inspired by a childhood conversation with his Mum as they searched for the meaning from the cover art for “The Beatles” Help album.  “Semaphore” is STARLING sending signals in attempt of pure and honest self-expression.

STARLING gathered up enough momentum that Simon was forced to share the songs with his confidante and bass player Wesley Gregorace (Devoted Few).  Wesley happened to be touring the US with THE CHURCH and shared the tunes with Steve Kilbey as they traversed highway one.  Steve recognized something unique in STARLING and put up his hand for production duties.

“Semaphore” was recorded quickly and fearlessly with risk taker Kilbey at the helm also adding vocals, bass and keys.  The rest of the Simon’s recording team was rounded off by his right hand man Wesley, Tim Powles (The Church) and Jorden Brebach (Sparkadia). The confidence to take these risks came from assured songwriting and Simon surrounding himself with the who’s who of the Sydney music community.  Between the album recording and the live show, members of THE CHURCH, FAKER and DEVOTED FEW join Simon to make up the sum of the parts that form STARLING.

The album is complete and the process has begun for it to be shared with the outside world.

www.facebook.com/theargonroom

Between the voices stolen from past lovers or borrowed from sex-workers for that long night, the unwalled confessionals or the confident manifestos of total, utter confusion, Wifey songs will make you glad to do something you know you shouldn't, and give you something to hide from that partner standing there right next to you.

Wifey are now:
Stephen Claxton: Guitar, Keys, Vocals, Bass, Percussion
Nikkita Dixon: Bass, Vocals, Keys
Kathryn Brownhill: Violin, Keys
Mark “Looch” Lewis: Drums
Andy Calvert: Vocals, Guitars, Piano, Percussion

Trippy art-rock with spontaneous psychedelic combustion. Strong side-effects. If fun or ultimate doom persists, listen to your doctor instead.

http://hyperurl.co/pkstoltz

Songs born from experience, melancholic states, and all the beautifully reckless corners of the mind. From the underground bars of Tokyo to the open roads of the American West, from recording studios in Indonesia to stages across Australia, New Zealand, and Europe— music is shaped by movement, by stories gathered, by chasing something just out of reach. Yet, even the darkest sounds pulse with something deeper—a sense of belonging, a triumph in the void.

P. K. Stoltz is following