The Echoes Award for Americana Song Of The Year goes to “Beauty and Ruin,” the poignant title track from the upcoming album by David Starr. The album was inspired by a novel, written by Starr’s grandfather. We asked Starr how the title track was chosen for the album. “My grandfather wrote a number of books during his life,” Starr says, “his last one was entitled “Of What Was, Nothing Is Left”. The album was going to share that title up until we began mixing it. One day, I showed up at the studio to work on mixes with producer John Oates and co-producer David Kalmusky. They informed me that the songs were sounding killer and that the new title should be “Beauty And Ruin”. The arc of the story centers around a beautiful woman whose actions set off a series of events that bring heartache and ruin into the lives of those around her. It just made sense to use the song Dana Cooper and I wrote as the title track. It sums up the story and song set nicely.”
We asked Starr if the book will be available alongside the album. ‘We’ve gone to a lot of effort to make sure the book is part of the package on this project. The songs stand alone, but the book adds context and makes for a richer experience, I think. We’ve reprinted the book with an updated cover, forward and afterward. But the story has been left intact. So, there will be a book, a CD and vinyl LP available. It affords me the opportunity to tour some places like independent and chain bookstores to share the project.”
Starr makes his home in Cedaredge, Colorado, where he was instrumental in the 2018 opening of the Grand Mesa Arts Center, an intimate event space brought to fruition through strong community support. He helped design the space in order to attract musicians and visual artists to Southwestern Colorado.
Starr will be touring in 2020, in support of the new album and book release, and is excited to return to the U.K. in May. “I really love the UK tours,” Starr says, “I find the audiences receptive and really eager to consume new music over there. It’s so hard to pick a favorite venue or town. I love the Glad Cafe in Glasgow. And the Tin Shed in Wales is a wonderful spot as well. Again, it’s tough to pick a favorite! We are received very warmly in lots of towns and villages.”
David Starr’s “Beauty and Ruin” is melodic storytelling at its best. The album is scheduled for release in February 2020.
Follow David Starr
Website:https://www.davidstarrmusic.com/home
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavidStarrMusic/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidstarrmusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidstarrmusic/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/davidstarrmusic
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/south-and-west/1367246786
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZpjImTMUDw
I-Tunes: https://music.apple.com/us/album/rise-up-again-single/1480427604?app=itunes&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
