STARSAILOR play HOB/Anaheim Jun 1 and Fonda Jun 2
Starsailor returns to the U.S. after a long hiatus to co-headline with Embrace, playing songs from all four albums. The tour kicks off at House of Blues, Anaheim on Jun 1 followed by a stop at the Fonda Theatre on Jun 2 with each band alternating who plays last.
“If anything we’ll play a few more from Love Is Here because that was our biggest album in the States,” vocalist James Walsh said. “And a few brand new songs, as well. We’re working toward a Best Of album so we’re going to put a couple of new songs on that.”
Songs such as “Silence Is Easy”, “In the Crossfire”, and “Good Souls”, among several others reached the Top 40 in the UK and also garnered success in the States. Their international club hit “Four To the Floor” reached number 1 in France, was a hit in many other countries and happens to be one of their favorite songs to play live.
“We kind of wrote ‘Four To the Floor ‘with a dance sound in mind so it seemed like a natural progression to get a remix of it. It’s good, it pays the bills,” Walsh laughed.
Starsailor hit the scene in 2000 with the unique, soulful voice of James Walsh setting them apart from other popular bands at the time.
“The thing that got me into music was the Brit Pop era. So Oasis and Pulp and groups like that.” Walsh recalled. “But hearing Jeff Buckley made me realize it was something I could do because he had a much more vulnerable, kind of emotional sound to his music. In contrast to the bravado of Oasis and Blur, which I really like but wasn’t something I could do.”
Back in 2006 and 2007, Starsailor found themselves opening for The Rolling Stones in Europe.
“It was incredible, a huge honor,” Walsh said. “I think in some ways you get used to being around respected musicians and being in that world. But, The Rolling Stones are definitely a level above. We were extremely nervous to meet them and be in their presence but they’re really nice!
“I remember Mick Jagger telling me that he bought Love Is Here with his own money. A moment to cherish.”
The four-piece group has worked with some heavy hitters in the music industry such as Ronnie Wood who appeared on the title track from the last album, All the Plans and Phil Spector on their second album, Silence Is Easy.
“Ronnie Wood was just a lot of fun,” Walsh recalled. “He turned up kind of larger than life and he just played through it twice, basically. He did his thing, that bluesy, Faces-style guitar that he’s famous for.
“But, Phil Spector was a strange one. Obviously, in some ways it was an honor and in other ways it didn’t turn out so well for him. It was a strange experience cause he was quite distant at times, which made it hard to communicate with him.”
Although it’s been six years since the group played live, one of the things they enjoy most is the energy from the crowd.
“We tend to be laid back a bit if the crowd is very sedate and chilled out,” Walsh explained. “We really put it forward if they’re really rowdy and hope to party. If the crowd’s really up for it, it can take you up a level with your musicianship and your pure energy.”