Australian indie-pop artist Phebe Starr performed two songs from her second album for her Rolling Stone AU/NZ ‘In My Room’ session.
Starr released her second album, Dirt, this year, a record bursting with inspirations and subjects.
“I leaned into everything that made me feel alive and inspired me when so much change seemed scary,” Starr said about her album. “A jam sandwich, a newspaper, the wacky tacky stuff. I drew inspiration from vintage technology, old people, the timeless elegance of a tailored suit, and the enjoyment of teasing up my big hair.”
Dirt was a meticulously prepared album, with Starr aiming to dissect the suffocating grip of our digital era. As a result, her emotive songs acted as vessels for authentic connections, while also celebrating the songwriting craft of a bygone era.
The album’s name, too, reflected this theme, with “dirt” acting as a titular ode to the grit and determination needed to forge one’s own path in art and life.
Starr may have been impressing Australian listeners for several years now – “Alphabet Soup”, a standout track from her debut album, the sublimely titled Heavy Metal Flower Petal, was named a ‘Song You Need to Know’ by Rolling Stone AU/NZ in 2022 – but the first half of 2024 still feels like a major moment for the singer-songwriter.
Shortly before the release of Dirt, Starr was chosen to take part in Live Nation’s Ones to Watch series, which meant she got to showcase her electrifying pop gems at Sydney’s Oxford Art Factory alongside fellowing rising stars Adrian Dzvuke and Chanel Loren.
Starr made Dirt in Sydney with producer ButterBath, who joined her for her ‘In My Room’ session. Together the pair performed “Lover” and “Brand New”, two highlights among myriad highlights from Starr’s album.
Watch Starr’s full ‘In My Room’ session above. Dirt is out now.
