Making All The Top Players Switch Hitters

By Amelia Stoll

From Russia to Miami - all the world is feeling the heat from Star69 record’s latest shooting star, "Starkillers."  In 2006, he burst upon the scene with his commercial debut "Discoteka."  Labeled one of the hottest producers to come out of the West Coast in recent times, this Los Angeles-based artist is lending his own interpretation to the works of top-rated and seasoned artists such as Paul Oakenfold, Paul van Dyk, and DJ Dan.  Starkillers is making "the beat go boom" in every corner of the electronica industry right now, from DJing to managing his record label Terratraxx, and offshoot label "Tribaltraxx," with partner and music collaborator Austin Leeds. His forthcoming releases "Scream" by Starkillers, and Terranova and Austin Leeds' "For the Pills," are already sending up tremors in the biz.  Get ready to crack open a bottle of Grey Goose and throw one back while we get to know the man known as "Starkillers."

Onbeat:  Your current sound is hard-hitting and sultry at the same time.  It has a sexiness and dance-ability that evokes a feeling of being in the club, when I listen to tracks like "Discoteka." How does your live perfomance and seasoned experience as a DJ influence your studio work?

Starkillers:  Well when you DJ, I think it allows you to see what vibe works well and what won't. I’m really into rhythm and groove, so I try to incorporate a lot of that into my production, whether its a synth or drum groove. This has everything to do with how things work.
You were recently commissioned by Warner to remix Paul Oakenfold’s “Sex and Money” feat.  Pharrell.  How did your personal interpretation of this song evolve, and what were Oakenfold's thoughts on the finished product?

I only talked with (Paul) Oakenfold for a few minutes about the production. He said he loved it and that it was a compliment to his own style. The way I always like to make things happen is to compliment the artist’s original production so that its not a competition thing to be better than the original.

You’ve also finished working with another big name in the electronica world, Paul van Dyk.  His work of late is more in the direction of electro house, rather than the glittering trance of prior releases. Will the upcoming releases be trance, or follow a more experimental direction?

I think you will have to wait and see. Paul is awesome and has given me and Austin so much support on all of our records. I think that you will be surprised to get the best of both worlds.

Seems like you’ve been racking up a lot of frequent flyer miles lately.  You just got back from DJing in Russia, and now you’re headed to Bulgaria this month.  What kind of reception did you  receive in Russia, and what were some similarities and differences you noted between the house scenes in the U.S. and Russia?

The people in Russia were amazing and very kind. It’s really cool to go so far away and be recognized so closely for what I love to do. Russia by far has been one of my favorite places to DJ.

You are a man with many aliases, one of your latest being "Starkillers." What was the genesis behind this edgy name and how does this correspond to your sound?

Starkillers came from actually having worked with a couple of movie stars [who couldn’t be named for legal reasons]…that’s who did the vocals on my tracks…you can credit Austin for giving me the name (love you Austin, you’re the best). I just think Starkillers has a certain vibe and character to the name that people can identify with.

Your single “Discoteka” is smoking hot, and definitely a personal favorite of mine.  I just finished watching the video on your My Space page, and the visuals are a perfect match for the track. What was the inspiration for the montage of female pop stars?

Man, some kid in Mexico did that visual for me. It was very nice and I think it was what was going on at the moment but it's not the actual video.

Sometimes we have to kill our darlings for the sake of the big picture. Is there any of these roles that you would be willing to put to the wayside, if time dictated it? Do you have a nine-to-five job, or are you able to devote all your time to your craft?

No, I just do music, fortunately, and I would never put any of it down…every roll helps the next point in my life, so they all help to make me successful.

You were a relatively unknown artist before this year. Tell me how Star69 has helped to make you a star, and why 2006 is the year of the Starkiller.

No one knew me before Discoteka…because there was no ‘before Discoteka.'  It was my first track commercially and Star69 and Peter Rauhofer have been a great part of my life and have helped in so many ways. Thank you, Star69 crew!

What’s next on the plate for Starkillers in 2007?
Starkillers ‘SCREAM’ is the next single and is already being played everywhere, worldwide. Also the launch of my new labels Tribal Traxx and Ecco Traxx as well.
And now one final question just in case a loyal fan wants to buy you a drink while you’re spinning up in the booth.  Favorite beverage?

Grey Goose, straight-up…nothing else!