Hailing from the Viking City of Ireland, Under Starling are breathing fresh air into the Irish music scene with their unique brand of alternative rock.
All flocks start small, but this gritty four-piece are rapidly forming a group of followers through their energetic live shows and popular releases. Latest singles Icarus, Purple Heights and Mongrel were praised by Hot Press, RTE 2XM, WLR FM, IMRO, Listen With Monger, After The Midnight Blog, 8Radio, Raido Na Life, KCLR 96FM and all audiences on their national tour. Between crowd-surfing, mosh pits, and the interaction Danny has with the audience, the band has always been connected with their fans. The escapism offered by their music and live shows brings people together like a flock of starlings. We are like murmurations.
Beautiful with a bite – Under Starling invoke a feeling of euphoria with their reverb-soaked melodies and dark distorted riffs. Powerful drum beats drive a rocky undertone to their pop styled music. The band draw influence from the likes of Biffy Clyro, Foals, and The Japanese House but their own sound is “difficult to pigeonhole” (Music Republic Magazine).
Under Starling are currently recording their next EP with noted producer Christian Best with plans to release in July.
Under Starlings latest track Arrows is a nostalgic slice of indie rock, reminiscing on the childhood memories of brothers Danny and Tommy. It is the final single from the bands upcoming ‘Mongrel EP’, while also being the most personal and close to home.
From the start, we are given a sweet image of the two brothers being carried by their father on their adventures through the countryside where they grew up; “you carry us all, we’re both in your arms”. The lyrics are ravelled with these symbolic images from Danny’s memories, such as the sycamore tree and the bridge. As the song matures so do the themes. A bittersweet tone is evident in the chorus, with words of reassurance passed from parent to child “when I’m not around it’s alright, cause this worlds not always made of lies”. Growing up and ‘flying the nest’ is an inevitable part of life, and it’s important to embrace the new dawn “to leave this town, watch it all dissolve before your eyes”.
“The take-home message in the song is wherever you are, or whatever you’re doing, family is everything.” – Danny
The Mongrel EP is a body of work that showcases the evolution of the band over the last few years. Each song is enveloped in the emotions of adolescence and inspired by life events experienced growing up. Themes of love, heartbreak, adversity, and perseverance are interwoven throughout the EP. This ‘mongrel’ of a project was recorded over multiple years in various locations – from studios across the country, to the humble shed where the band first began.
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