Tag: Jason Martin

September 22, 2023

Song of the Day: Dance House Children - Once Upon Your Lips

Our feature today comes from two brothers who started making music in their teens, first as a new wave/post-punk band called Morella’s Forest (no, not that one), and then an immensely quirky synth-pop group called Dance House Children, before parting ways and forming two of the most legendary, creative, and prolific Chrindie groups ever–Joy Electric and Starflyer 59. Yes, we are talking about none other and Ronnie and Jason Martin. In the early 1990s an independent label emerged (technically started much earlier but with very limited distribution) called Blonde Vinyl.… Continued →

June 7, 2023

September 18, 2022

Red Strat are Coming For You

I’d like to tell you all about a brand new band, so new in fact that the red paint is still wet. This band is called “Red Strat” and features Tim Taber (The Prayer Chain), Jason Martin (Starflyer 59, Brothers Martin, Low & Behold, and more), Steve Dail (Project 86, Starflyer 59, Inner Means), Rob Withem (Fine China), and Charlie Martin (The Rocky Valentines, Starflyer 59). Velvet Blue and the respective members have all been sharing news of this new band and their first show on October 2nd at The Wayfarer in Costa Mesa, CA.… Continued →

August 25, 2022

August 20, 2022

The Rocky Valentines "Off and On" Out Now

The Rocky Valentines which is the new project from Charlie Martin who just happens to be the son of Starflyer 59 legendary song maker – Jason Martin. The music influence and talents run rich through his blood and it is clearly evident on this first new song from the debut upcoming “Self Titled” EP due out September 2nd on Velvet Blue Music. Not only is the music great and extremely catchy but the vocals match that talent and the lush sounds radiate through your speakers with subtle intensity that will sway you.… Continued →

July 30, 2022

Introducing: The Rocky Valentines (Ft. C. Martin of Starflyer 59)

I am going to take a moment and introduce you all to a brand new band featuring C. Martin who is the son of Jason Martin (and also a current member) of Starflyer 59. The new band is called “The Rocky Valentines”. The debut single “Off & On” will debut on August 19th via Velvet Blue Music with the full Self Titled EP out on September 2nd 2022. From the sounds of the preview video below, it is both classic and modern, alluring and full of melodies and sounds that his father I’m sure must be super proud of.… Continued →

August 26, 2021

Starflyer 59 release new single "Sunrise"

Jason Martin is back at it, never ceasing to create and release new music. The new single is called “Sunrise” and is decidedly more upbeat than the recent “Life in Bed.” Perhaps the two work as companion pieces? The 80s post-punk and new wave influences are here again, but filtered through Jason’s shoegaze and indie rock background. Check out the song on your streaming platform of choice. Be sure to download and support the artist where possible. https://starflyer59.bandcamp.com/album/sunrise https://soundcloud.com/velvetblue/starflyer-59-sunrise https://open.spotify.com/track/4o5hLF6WnULrPXFCMzmLH5?si=5ee0b792c04143d1Continued →

July 17, 2021

July 2, 2021

Song of the Day: Starflyer 59 - Life in Bed

First things first: I must apologize for missing a couple of weeks on my Song of the Day features. We’ve been in the middle of an international move. Yes, after 13 years of life in the UK, my family and I have returned to the United States! And we’ve been living out of suitcases while we finalize our housing. So do please forgive me for missing a few posts. However, I hope a new song from Starflyer 59 this week can make up for it. The first thing I noticed from the track was the eerie new wave keyboard sounds and quasi-goth guitar leads.… Continued →

June 18, 2021

Starflyer 59 to Drop "Like To Lose" Single on July 9th

Yeah you heard that right. Starflyer 59 are back with not 1, but 2 NEW songs this year (so far). These 2 new singles are part of an upcoming full length dropping later in the year on Velvet Blue Music. Purchase “Like to Lose” on a Flexi 7″ from Velvet Blue Music right here. I’m always game for new Starflyer 59, any day, any time, no matter what part of year. Any day can be a “Starflyer 59 Day” am I right?… Continued →

June 1, 2021

May 7, 2021

Velvet Blue Music Releases Rare Underground Album by Jason Martin and Ronnie Martin as Morella's Forest 1988

Velvet Blue Music shakes off the dust off this extremely rare, underground album by Jason Martin and Ronnie Martin, two extremely talented and legendary music makers who’ve blessed our ears with unforgettable music for over 30 years now. Find out what the members of Starflyer 59 and Joy Electric were doing pre-their famous main projects and back in the late 1980’s (during that Dance House Children time period or before). The original name for the project was “Morella’s Forest” but since the project got shelved, their fellow friends in the scene took that name and ran with it.… Continued →

November 7, 2020

REVIEW : Starflyer 59 - Miami (EP)

There used to be a fairly well-known release formula for SF59. Step one: release full-length album. Step two: release EP of similar material within the following year (or even later that same year). While the formula has been tweaked over the years, it still more or less holds. Whereas She’s the Queen was the counterpart to Silver, Miami functions that way for Young in My Head. Although there are some stylistic—and more noticeably, lyrical—differences, any of these songs probably could have been on Young in My Head.… Continued →

May 15, 2020

Song of the Day: Starflyer 59 - This Recliner

After releasing last year’s opus Young in My Head, Starflyer 59 are already back. The veteran indie rock band have just released a new single, “This Recliner” and boy oh boy is it good! Fueled by inspiration from the best of his 80s new wave AND shoegaze influences (The Church, Psychedelic Furs, Jesus and Mary Chain, et. al.), the man truly knows how to write a pop song. Sometimes I think his skill lies in brevity. Rather than dragging stuff out, founder Jason Martin always leaves you wanting just a little bit more.… Continued →

April 19, 2019

REVIEW : Starflyer 59 - Young in My Head

Starflyer 59 are back. But, what does even mean when they never went away? Christian indie rock’s most prolific band have just released their 15th full-length album (not counting their 9 EPs, 4 live releases, 3 box sets/collections, numerous vinyl singles and LP variants or compilation appearances—I didn’t even mention the side projects: Pony Express, Bon Voyage, Dance House Children, The Brothers Martin, White Lighter, Neon Horse and Lo-Tom) making them probably the second most prolific band in all of indie rock (second only to Guided by Voices, who are at something like 100 releases).… Continued →

April 14, 2019

INTERVIEW : Jason Martin of Starflyer 59

I recently got the opportunity to do a short interview with Jason Martin of Starflyer 59 about the upcoming new album, “Young In My Head”. We chat about the album as well as the past. This was conducted through email last week. Don’t forget to check out the new Starflyer 59 album “Young In My Head” April 26th via Tooth & Nail. You can find pre-orders right here on limited colored vinyl and CD.… Continued →

October 18, 2018

REVIEW : Lo Tom - Lo Tom

This is a fun record, that’s really easy to listen to. It’s not really ground-breaking, just straight-forward indie rock with really warm guitar tones. While there’s not a lot of distinction between the guitar and bass, for some reason that’s not a bad thing, it just adds to the simplicity. Most readers probably already realize Lo Tom is basically an indie rock supergroup, featuring: David Bazan (Pedro the Lion, Headphones, solo), TW Walsh (Pedro the Lion, The Soft Drugs, solo), Trey Many (Velour 100, His Name is Alive, Liquorice, TW Walsh), and Jason Martin (Starflyer 59, Bon Voyage, Dance House Children, White Lighter).… Continued →

May 10, 2017

Lo Tom Debut Song & Launch Pre-Order

After months of bated silence, the indie super-group Lo Tom have released a debut song and launched album pre-orders. The self-titled record will be released July 14th, and it can be pre-ordered through Undertow Music. The first single, “Overboard”, is the only title that has been released from the 8-song track list. Lo Tom is comprised of longtime collaborators Jason Martin (Starflyer 59, White Lighter), David Bazan (Pedro the Lion, Headphones, Overseas), Trey Many (Starflyer 59, White Lighter, Velour 100), and TW Walsh (Pedro the Lion, The Soft Drugs).… Continued →

February 17, 2017

The Mystery That is Lo Tom

The alt-rock and indie scenes are no stranger to mystery, and Lo Tom is no exception. The band has actually been around for a few years now, but with no recordings, samples, or videos to date, we’ve been wondering what they sound like. Their tunes will no doubt be amazing, as the line-up is none other than Jason Martin (Starflyer 59, White Lighter), David Bazan (Pedro the Lion, Headphones, Overseas), Trey Many (Starflyer 59, Low & Behold, White Lighter, Velour 100), and TW Walsh (Pedro the Lion, The Soft Drugs, and mastering engineer).… Continued →