The Starry Field
The Middle East fanboy rears his head once more, this time having heard and swooned over this pair of tracks from The Middle East’s Mark Myers, who performs under the moniker of The Starry Field. I say “now” but if I remember correctly, The Starry Field supported a Middle East show I saw at the Spectrum and that must have been at least 5 years ago. So then it seems, perhaps, maybe, The Starry Field is no new thing. Of the solo projects that each former TME band member has to their name, this may be the one I’ve best connected with. Here’s a brief overview of what the others have been up to:
● BREE has released just the one single so far, the haunting yet beautiful Winter and is now a part of Matt Corby’s ensemble.
● ROHIN is in the process of recording that jaunty disconnected acoustic fare he’s been dishing out (rough yet promising). He’s also contributed a single called ‘All My Friends At A Petrol Stop‘ to Why Don’t You Believe Me’s BANANAS
● JORDAN has been touring Europe in support of Holly Throsby but is back in the country. Here‘s a taste of what isn’t yet on record.
● JOSEPH has released a Kurt Vilesque EP with his band Joseph Liddy and the Skeleton Horse, purchasble via itunes. Maybe slightly heavier than Kurt Vile, but in the same vein.
● JACK has worked under the name Skeleton Jack but everything that was once available seems to have drifted into the ether. Here’s a solo track he recorded live at one of The Gate’s living room shows about two months ago.
● JAVED is playing drums in Holland who have an EP out which you can listen to here. Before that, though I think they’re now inactive (?) he sang in Sydney band Huntings have a pair of tracks available for your downloading pleasure on their Unearthed page. He’s also playing bass in Bexley de Lion who have a new EP out next month
That’s all I know for now but feel free to point me to anything that I’ve overlooked. The songs at hand, these are of the hardworking Mike Myers, a man who, since the parting of The Middle East, has spent less time on stage and more in studio. He’s been behind the production for artists such as Tin Sparrow, Emma Louise, The Medics, Courtney Young, Founds and Faith Lee. It’s not a list to be scoffed at with some few of those budding and blooming even as we consider the musical labours of Mr Myers himself but he’s always seemed fairly content to stay out of the spotlight like all true former Middle Easterners. PR was never their strongest suit as they annoyingly talked down their music in the rare interviews they took but it’s hard to keep songs this emotive from seeing the light, even if they’ve taken five years to surface properly. Boy I sure had a task ahead of me figuring out what ol’ order we’d listent to these but I’m going for the safer option first with the more bizarre ‘Man From The Future’ bringing it home. I can’t get enough of that quavering, fragile voice, and that’s before it drags me back into sweet memories of the golden Middle East.
The Starry Field – ‘If All Your Troubles Were A Sea’ [DOWNLOAD]
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The Starry Field – ‘Man From The Future’ [DOWNLOAD]
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Here’s a track that Mark contributed to an EP called Dragging Pianos which came come couple with a children’s book a few years back but I believe is now out of print. Also, if anyone has a line on the record by Starry Field, we need to talk.
Dragging Pianos – Peel The Carrots
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Artists you need to know rn
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His voice is so small and vulnerable, like a domestic violence victim returning home for the first time
hahahaha, Tommy faith, winning friends
[...] at Sound Doctrine talks about The Starry Field and gives us a round up of what former Middle East band members are doing now. [...]
Was the children’s book “The man, the well and how he fell”? Or are you referring to a different book? Either way, real good article!
It was another but I can’t remember the title! But having googled that, I’ve now made the purchase. Great tipoff!
It’d be nice to know where older band members like Tim Barwise and Javed Sterritt ended up too, but I guess that might be a bit too obscure to find.
I think Javed was in Holland and Huntings but I’ll have to look it up. I’ll do some Tim Barwise research too
I’ve sent Mark (starry field) a few emails a few months back and he’s meant to be releasing an album later this year, and from what I understand Bree has recorded a solo EP. Rohin has also been recording with Jack and Mark for his album due out this year and as has Jordan. Exciting times, also had a chat to Joseph about when part 3 will be out but he said he wasn’t sure, and Mike plays in Liddy now. I’ve got too much time on my hands…
Nice Jack. Seems to me you have just the right amount of time on your hands. Can’t wait for those Jordan/Rohin/Mark releases. Any chance you’d be able to shoot me an email with Mark’s contact details? I actually need to get in touch with him about a few things! I’m at [email protected] if so. Thanks man
Javed also plays Bass in Bexley de Lion, who are recording their new EP this month!
https://www.facebook.com/bexleydelion
Thanks Cal, updated!
the stuff by huntings is amazing. any update on barwise?
p.s i just noticed that my youtube video is linked here hahaha. that set at the lexington was fantastic.
[...] Follow this link for a full run down on the whereabouts of the rest of the Middle East clan. 0 Comments Uncategorized « « Luchi Related Posts [...]