a night out

Drummer Dave & I
(photo by Masaya Palmer)

Genghis Show

Set List:
1. Caroline
2. I Don't Believe You
3. Ballad Of A Raincoat
4. All The Good Looking Girls Are Dead
5. It's Fine
6. Hey Now Dana
7. Day Of The Dead
8. Visions Of Drowning
9. Dress Me In Bow Ties
10. Don't Let Me Down

photos by: Mac McIntire & Crystal Davis

Night Out @ Molly Malones

paul,billy,masaya,christy,dave,brian,beth,andy,jago

Recording Journal 2

Yesterday we got started around 3pm. The first song we tracked was "I Don't Believe You", which started out as a kind of light jazz song on the first few takes. As we got going it became a bouncing stomp of a rock tune. Dave & my Dad really made it come alive. Next we tracked "Visions Of Drowning" which we've played for about 4 years now. We recorded two takes. Both sounded good, although I think take 2 was best. We then started work on "Dress Me In Bow-ties" which went amazingly well. We recorded three takes of the song, with take 3 being the best. We all agreed that it was the most fun we'd had recording. It just came together so easily,and we all played very well. Next we recorded four takes of "Hey Now Dana". Dave really laid down some great fills on this one. We then started work on "Old Tack Pianos". We attempted one take but I really wasn't feeling it & my guitar didn't seem to be in tune (no matter how many times I attempted to tune it...) So Jago the producer said lets come back to it. So we then went onto "Mark Twain Boat" which really felt good. Dave started the track off with a 4 bar drum solo/groove, and then my Dad came in with a walking bass line. Really sounded great. Dave's girlfriend Masaya came by during tracking for "Mark Twain Boat". She brought us a salad. I call her Den Mom because she always takes good care of us. She listened as we recorded about 5 takes and then she had to take off. We then decided to take a break and have some salad and then take another shot at "Old Tack Pianos". After our stomachs were full, we laid down 4 more takes of "Old Tack Pianos", with take 4 being the best. We then listened to all 11 songs we had recorded over the last 2 days. They all sound really great. BIG sounding drums, THICK bass. This week I start overdubs: guitars, banjo, bass trombone, percussion, etc. Then this weekend I start vocals. Stay tuned........

Recording Day 2 Photos cont.

Recording Day 2 Photos

Free Music Friday!

The Black & White Photographer


Download the mp3 here
Justin Smith: lead guitar
Dave Lotfi: drums
Paul Starling: guitars, bass, vocals

Outlaw Blues

how about some "outlaw blues"? feel the warmth.

Show: Mai's Cafe

4$ @ the door if you mention this flier.
please come out and rock along with the full electric band!
dave lotfi on drums, steve bringelson on bass, kenny bringelson on guitar & vocals, paul starliing on guitar & vocals!!!!!

hey, don't forget to check out the "old tack pianos" video:

Directed by Josh Patterson
Staring: Marissa Madsen, Paul Starling, Kenny Bringelson
Words & Music by: Paul Starling
Download "Old Tack Pianos" on
or pick up "Doors & Windows" @ Rockshot Records by clicking the album art:

graves are anchors above the sea

photo: iain macadam
Graves Are Anchors Above The Sea.mp3

recently someone asked me which song i was the most proud of & i told them 'graves are anchors above the sea'. the main reason being that the lyrics just came flowing one night when i wasn't really trying to write any lyrics at all. shortly after i grabbed my acoustic and the music came quickly as well. i really believe that my subconscious was working over time cause it knew i wanted to get these feelings out, but that i couldn't really do it if i had to 'work'. anyway i really love this song & i wanted to share it with you as well. its the last track on my 'ghost waltz' album & features dave lotfi on drums & percussion.

graves are anchors above the sea

doors may open, light may play
wind may blow, trees may sway
though the dark's still dark in every way

and death can speak, words may flee
oceans rise, sailors plea
and graves are anchors above the sea
are we? are we?

oh night by night candles learn
that books are bricks we lay and burn
and death is old yet new to us
but all we wonder is who to trust
for men are wrong & women lie
and at the end the questions why?

you're quite lovely a ghost would say
i will not lie i wish you stayed
but new yorks not so far, far away
i'll stay

oh night by night candles learn
that books are bricks we lay and burn
and death is old yet new to us
but all we wonder is who to trust
for men are wrong & women lie
and at the end the questions why?