Gold Star
Artist Bio:
Gold Star is the musical project of Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter, and artist Marlon Rabenreither. Born in Vienna and raised in Los Angeles, Rabenreither developed his distinctive blend of Americana, folk, country, and psychedelic rock after first making music with the Sister Ruby Band. Gold Star emerged in 2012, bringing together the cinematic atmosphere of classic Los Angeles songwriting with a deeply personal, literary sensibility.
Rabenreither broke through with his 2015 debut album Dark Days, followed by Big Blue (2017) and Uppers & Downers (2018).
East Side Blues was recorded live in Glassell Park at Mant Sounds Studio. Produced and mixed by Rob Schnapf (known for his work with artists like Cat Power, Cass McCombs, Beck & Elliot Smith) the album consists of 10 concise and emotionally direct songs. The production skews towards simple and organic sounds showcasing songwriter Marlon Rabenreither’s live and intimate vocal performances. The storytelling focuses on the observational and conversational, often referencing locations and real people. Blending traditional instrumentation such as mandolin, banjo, harmonica and hammond organ with aggressive and ethereal guitar soundscapes, the record creates a world that feels well-worn and lands somewhere between indie rock and Americana. While the storytelling and arrangements nod to artists like Lucinda Williams, John Prine & early Tom Waits; these performances capture Gold Star truly finding his own voice and sound.
East Side Blues showcases pedal steel and guitar from Father John Misty and Lana Del Rey collaborator Connor “Catfish” Gallaher as well as contributions from Aaron Stern (Curtis Harding) Jay Rudolph (Weyes Blood, Marina Allen) and longtime accomplices Jordan Odom and Mikey Whiteside.
Gold Star is the musical project of Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter, and artist Marlon Rabenreither. Born in Vienna and raised in Los Angeles, Rabenreither developed his distinctive blend of Americana, folk, country, and psychedelic rock after first making music with the Sister Ruby Band. Gold Star emerged in 2012, bringing together the cinematic atmosphere of classic Los Angeles songwriting with a deeply personal, literary sensibility.
Rabenreither broke through with his 2015 debut album Dark Days, followed by Big Blue (2017) and Uppers & Downers (2018).
East Side Blues was recorded live in Glassell Park at Mant Sounds Studio. Produced and mixed by Rob Schnapf (known for his work with artists like Cat Power, Cass McCombs, Beck & Elliot Smith) the album consists of 10 concise and emotionally direct songs. The production skews towards simple and organic sounds showcasing songwriter Marlon Rabenreither’s live and intimate vocal performances. The storytelling focuses on the observational and conversational, often referencing locations and real people. Blending traditional instrumentation such as mandolin, banjo, harmonica and hammond organ with aggressive and ethereal guitar soundscapes, the record creates a world that feels well-worn and lands somewhere between indie rock and Americana. While the storytelling and arrangements nod to artists like Lucinda Williams, John Prine & early Tom Waits; these performances capture Gold Star truly finding his own voice and sound.