New York City’s Stellastarr* is taking a break from rocking hometown venues like Luna Lounge, Don Hill’s and Mercury Lounge to venture out on a North American tour in support of its upcoming release.
The band and its masterful combination of Brit guitar-rock and ’80s new wave will play two Canadian gigs before hitting the U.S. at Columbus, Ohio’s Basement September 12.
The following day, Stellastarr* celebrates the release of its second full-length album, Harmonies for the Haunted with a show at Chicago’s Metro / Smart Bar.
According to the band’s publicist, the album was the No. 1 most added to college radio with the single “Sweet Troubled Soul.”
Following the 2003 release of their self-titled debut album, the group embarked on a rigorous touring cycle, crisscrossing the States, U.K., Europe and Japan, supporting giants like Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Jane’s Addiction, Placebo and more.
By the end of the tour, Stella singer/guitarist Shawn Christensen was beat.
“It was a long road,” he said. “A year and a half of touring left me creatively stifled, and I needed a rest.”
After returning home and taking a much needed break, the band regrouped and began working on its next record.
Following a short stint in the Northwest, Stellastarr* will head to California, where it’ll play a total of five shows in late September. Expect to see them at L.A.’s El Rey Theatre, San Francisco’s Pop Scene and Independent, and San Diego’s Belly Up Tavern.
From there – Christensen, Amanda Tannen (bass, vocals), Arthur Kremer (drums, keyboards) and Michael Jurin (guitar, vocals) – will head through Texas, Georgia, Florida, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., before returning home to play New York’s Irving Plaza October 6.
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