(EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW) STARBENDERS: “The beast goes on!"
With a fantastic name like Starbenders, you’d hope for nothing but a sound and visual to match that energy. The five members of the band Kimi Shelter,Aaron Lecesne, Kriss Tokaji, and Emily Moon have gone above and beyond to set out a branding that does just that. Take a look at their music videos, which are works of cinematic pieces on their own, tracks like “Saturday” and “Tokyo” blend the sounds of the 80s with today without trapping themselves in a specific box.
Ahead of their new album, The Beast Goes On, which is set to be released on the 28th February (and trust us, it’s a fantastic listen from start to finish), vocalist Kimi took time out to have a chat about what to expect, the group’s journey so far, and their influences.
SpinVybe: February sees the release of your new album. The Beast Goes On, a record that feels both seductive and dangerous from the first listen. Can you talk us through how the four of you put ideas together for new music? What is the process like?
Kimi: The process has stayed pretty much the same since the beginning. I work up ideas on my own, and then the band picks what songs stand out the most. Then we pre-pro them with our long-time producer and sensei, Nico. The label wanted us to take a crack at working with a new producer for this record, so we had the opportunity to work with Matt Pauling out in LA. That’s the most marked difference between this record and the rest.
SV: With an album title that strong, what does the beast represent? Is it the hunger to create, succeed or something else?
Kimi: There are a lot of layers of intention inside this title, and I like the idea that it can mean something different to whoever hears it when the words land. To me, I’m the beast. The band is the beast. We’re one and the same, a force that keeps creating and pushing forward even when things feel heavy, uncertain, and downright impossible. The world outside can feel like a beast too, a massive force that can shape you or break you. The title was born out of that duality, being on the receiving end of the beast while also becoming one in order to survive and ultimately thrive.
SV: As fans eagerly await the release, which song do you think is the standout of the album? And which one resonates with you all on a personal level?
Kimi: We all have different favourites, but to me ‘Cold Silver’ has magic to it.
SV: How did the four of you come together to create Starbenders, and looking back over your time together, how have you evolved?
Kimi: Aaron and I have been in the band since day one, Kriss came in a year later, and then our latest addition is Wei. She’s been with us for 2 years now. We’ve been at it for over a decade, so it’s hard to boil it down… we’re completely different but completely the same all at once. The biggest evolution is Wei joining the band, we just had to give it permission to feel “new” again.
SV: When starting out, did you have a clear vision for how you wanted to sound and look, as both seem to be cohesively tight?
Kimi: Yes, from when I named the band on, I always felt like I wanted to uphold the tradition of the vibe and aesthetic being integral to the music. Fashion is so fun, it’s a waste to throw it away.
SV: The latest track, “Saturday”, leans into a very chill 80s synth vibe. Would it be fair to say the 80s is a key influence for you as a band? To you, what makes that decade resonate with you all and makes you choose those identifiable vintage sounds?
Kimi: We’ve never sat down and said, “Let’s sound 80s.” We’re influenced by all kinds of music, and I think there are core elements to rock n’ roll that stand the test of time. The producer for ‘Saturday’ was our OG, Nico Constantine. He’s the real deal and had a lot of fun working with Kriss to use some super cool vintage synths on that song.
SV: For each of you, what artists or experiences influenced you creatively growing up to impact you, and how did those inspirations shape the musicians you are today?
Kimi: All of us like a lot of the same stuff, with some variations. Kriss’s favourites include Oasis and The Cure, while Aaron has a strong love for the avant-garde, like Mars Volta and Jaco Pastorius. Wei’s musical taste is very diverse, with a mutual love for bands like The Cure but also bands out of China. It’s influenced us in that we take our musicianship very seriously, and as band members it’s allowed a lot of common ground. We all speak the same language.
SV: Soundwise, your music feels like a love child of glam rock and cinematic synth, something that could slot nicely in a show like Stranger Things. What inspires you to play with various sounds, especially in songs like “Tokyo”?
Kimi: The short answer is that we’re all goths at heart, and we just love vintage synth. We love dark and moody vibes paired with heavy, fat guitars.
SV: Although your sound mixes in the nostalgia of the past, they sound so fresh and new. How do you balance out your influences from the past into today?
Kimi: There’s an effort to not be derivative. We allow modern influence to come through and twist together with nostalgia. We just write what we like, and what comes out is what it is. Producers play a big role in the sonic landscape too.
SV: That cinematic sound and quality carries over into your visuals too. The video for “Tokyo”, for example, leans into sci-fi horror, which adds another fun aspect to your talents. How do you approach creating visual concepts in your music videos that perfectly match up with the songs?
Kimi: This is one thing we take no credit for. Our creative and visual teams have been some of the best in the business, and I’ve always taken great joy in seeing what the music inspires in them. ‘Tokyo’ is the work of maverick young director Hannah Grey Hall in Nashville.
SV: Blending all these elements is so interesting to watch. How do you bring that into a live setting?
Kimi: We like to set up four in a row so no one’s in the dark. Someday, we’ll have a lot of fun dreaming up stage plots and themes for live shows. We’re still very low to the ground, so we haven’t had the resources to really bring more than our own bodies.
SV: You have a very strong visual look that blends glam rock and a hint of danger and is incredibly eye-catching. Would you say fashion and image are just as important to you as the music?
Kimi: Yes! It’s another art form, an expression, a way to engage with the world. We try to not leave anything on the table!
SV: When onstage you’re all a whirlwind of energy. Before going out before a crowd, how does your persona shift? Is there a specific ritual you like to do or create to get into the headspace from chill to rockstar?
Kimi: We try to clear the room out and just be around each other. Sometimes we put on 90s house music and do interpretive dance. (laughs)
SV: For newbies just discovering you, how would you describe what a Starbenders show would feel and sound like?
Kimi: You just have to come check it out! We have an awesome group of fans, so you’ll definitely have a good time!
SV: Finally, what does 2026 have in store for you all?
Kimi: Our sights are set on touring, getting to play this record live and ending each day in gratitude. The beast goes on!
Written and Interviewed by Kirsty Bright
Follow Starbenders:
