Listening to the LA band Goldstar is like finding a previously unreleased album by your favorite band. It feels like it’s always been there, and you’re so glad you found it.
By Debra Penberthy
I happened to stumble upon this band on the rise at a show in December at Pasadena’s Old Towne Pub. I was so struck by their music that I sought out the frontman and songwriter, Marlon Rabenreither, for an interview and obtained an advance copy of their upcoming album. The album is called Dark Days, and I cannot wait for you all to hear it. (Watch the video for the song “Sadie” here).
Who would you say your primary influences are?
As far as like singing I think that John Lennon is hands down the most amazing singer. As far as songwriters, there are so many amazing ones, but Bob Dylan and Neil Young, but really everything.
Tell me about your new album Dark Days.
It’s not out yet, and it will be out probably by the end of February. It will be self-released. It was recorded here in LA by this guy Nic Jodoin. He’s a French Canadian guy, a producer. We did it at his studio over the course of a couple of months.
How did you get such a warm, rich authentic sound? It’s your debut album, but it’s epic!
Yeah, I am really excited! Man, it’s the organ and the harmonies, and the vintage guitars, and just the songs. I think they kind of have that vibe anyway. But I think it came out really well. But yeah, warm was always something we were looking for.
Yeah, you can really feel a room, and it’s really intimate. And so a lot of it’s the fact that you’re using authentic sounding instruments?
Yeah, definitely. I am really into vintage gear, and I always make a point of doing it like that. And we have three organ players on the record, and they all kind of have their different sounds. And the album is self-released, self-financed. I had to sell a guitar or two to pay this producer.
Well, it shows in the end product, and your songs are not going to suffer from low production.
Yeah, totally, and it’s worth every penny. And he had done the last Black Rebel Motorcycle Club record, and I’m a big fan of theirs. They have this record called Howl and they’re really like a dark psychedelic band. So I wanted to work with him.
Well the collaboration has definitely paid off. So, I know that you got to open up for Lucinda Williams once, tell me about that.
Yeah, that was actually my first time doing the Gold Star project. I played in this band called the Sister Ruby Band, and she had been coming to the shows and was into it. And she was like ‘I’d really like you to play, but we are doing this really stripped down show.’ It was just her and Doug Pettibone on guitar. So she said ‘I’d like it if you just play it by yourself.’ So, I was like, ‘Wow. OK. I’d better figure this out.’ I already had the songs written, but I wasn’t sure if I was going to use them in a different band or not. Sister Ruby and Gold Star are two different bands. It’s the same guys in both. We’re old friends, and we live together, and play together. But Sister Ruby is my other project. It sounds different… And talking about great songwriters, Lucinda Williams is one of the best hands down.
Definitely. Speaking of good songs, I know you write all of your own lyrics. I’m curious about the stories behind them. Can you tell me about the opening song off the record?
Yeah, it’s called ‘At the Dawn.’ I grew up in LA, and all of my friends and I went away for school. But we’d all come back in the summers. And you’d have these weird relationships with these people. You wouldn’t see them for a long time, and that song is about what had changed and what hadn’t, and how that connection happens and gets weird. And I just always think of LA in the summer when I hear that song.
Cool. Love that song. Tell me about playing at the Old Towne Pub.
Yeah, my bass player grew up in Pasadena, and he was always saying we should play there. But, I didn’t know where the cool bars were there. But, this bar was the best! We’re actually playing there again on January 30. I like that spot because it’s kind of small and vibey. And, it’s a good cross-section of people, like kids from Silverlake and locals.
Definitely. Looking forward to hearing you again and to getting your album when it’s out!
Marlon Rabenreither and his band Gold Star will be opening for the Psychedelic Cowboys and the Digs this Friday night, Jan. 30 at the Old Towne Pub, 66 N. Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena (this place is a bit tricky to find, start from 22 Holly St., and go down the alley to find it). 21 and over show. Cover: $5.
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