1. NSM
For those who don’t know, tell us how “Starrfadu” was formed?

Austin - Some friends of mine in a band from Georgia were coming into town (Springfield, MO.) to play a show, and knew I had started writing music, and asked me if I wanted to open for them. So I asked three friends of mine (who were in other bands) if they'd play a few of my songs for that show. Jason Poe (guitar) and James Hafner (bass) played in a band called "The Professional Americans," and Brian Moody (drums) played in a band called Stillwater Rhythem. The next couple of shows I had to use some different guys, but Brian's band had decided to stop playing, so he stayed on full time. About my fifth show, Dave Martin (bass) started playing with Brian and I, and has been with us ever since.

2. NSM
May I ask, why the name “Starrfadu?”

Austin - Beats me. It comes from the name of a girl I knew in sixth grade; Starr Fedew. Don't ask me why, but I just thought it'd make a good "band name."

3. NSM
Are you self-taught on your instruments or have you taken lessons?

Austin - For the most part, self-taught. I think all three of us have had a lesson or two at some point though.

4. NSM
Why did you want to be a musician?

Austin - For me, I'd always played sports and just got tired of it. So, music seemed like a new hobby to learn. I've always enjoyed music, but it wasn't until my last semester in college that I started teaching myself guitar and writing music.

5. NSM
Describe the journey from forming the band to making your first “Starrfadu” CD “A Narrow Road To Silence.”

Austin - Actually, our first CD was an EP entitled, "The Joys in Feeling Sorry for Yourself." It basically had four songs we were playing live, and we recorded it in this guy's house... very low budget. We released it back towards the end of 2001, or the first of 2002. "A Narrow Road to Silence" was released in 2005; which we recorded in a barn in Bois D' Arc, Missouri - pronounced 'Bo Dark.'

6. NSM
Tell us a little personal information about yourselves. What do you do for fun outside the music world, what do you for living, where are you from, etc?

Austin - Each of us are married with kids... so that pretty much takes up all of our time. Brian likes to read, and Dave loves video games. We all live around the Springfield/Ozark, Missouri area, and have regular jobs.

7. NSM
How would you describe the band's working relationship, as far as the musical process is concerned?

Austin - I'll bring in a new song and play it for Brian and Dave to see if they are feeling it like I do. Then we'll play it over and over to allow Brian and Dave to create their own parts. All of the other parts (that make the album), I'll pretty much throw together in the studio during the recording process; ie: keyboards, electric guitars, etc.

8. NSM
Can you elaborate on your decision to focus more on an acoustic sound as opposed to other things you were doing before, like Punk and Experimental?

Austin - Sure. It's pretty simple really. I'm not a rock star. Some of the things I was doing when we first started, was pretty much a "show." I'd run around, jumping off my amp... you know, all that typical "rock star" stuff - and I just knew, it wasn't me. I write everything on acoustic, so it just made sense for me to be me, and not a rock star.

9. NSM
In your interview with Heather Ray on FREDFM radio, you say you wrote “Let It Out” because you wanted to back up your talk about “anybody can write a pop song.” Then a big company (Kleenex) decides to use it for their commercial. It’s ironic in a sense. What are your thoughts on this situation?

Austin - That God chose to, not only bless us with that, but numerous other people/organizations we were used to bless because of the situation. I would have never thought that song would do what its done. It's crazy. However, nothing (on a daily basis) has changed; so, it's great it opened up but didn't change our daily lives.

10. NSM
What are your thoughts on the current state of the music industry?

Austin - Honestly, I don't know or have an opinion about that. Like I said, everything for us has pretty much stayed the same... so, we're not really involved in the music industry.

11. NSM
Is there anything you feel you need to work on (musically) individually or as a group?

Austin - Sure. I don't feel being complacent is ever a good idea. As soon as we get an album done, I'm always glad it's done and ready to do something new.

11. NSM
The lyrics to “Thoughts of Modern Men”, well I think it’s a truth people don’t want to deal with. Can you tell us the process of writing this song and what you hope to accomplish with it?

Austin - The ideas basically came from two things I had seen on TV. The first was "Internet Predators," and the second was a documentary regarding the sex-trade, on PBS. As far as what I'd like to accomplish with it... good question. I'm not sure really. For me, it was just a means of getting it off my chest at how sad the culture is. An accomplishment would be making it more aware to people, and then inspiring those people to act in a way to cause a positive change in our culture.

12. NSM
What has been your most memorable experience so far together?

Austin - I'd have to say, all that has revolved around the whole concept of Kleenex using "Let It Out" in their ads; and an up-coming Olympic documentary called "Let It Out: The Movie." One of the cool things we were able to do, was play a set at BB King's in Nashville with Will Hoge. It was very memorable.

13. NSM
Is there anything you would like to say to the people reading this interview?

Austin - Wow, you read this far? I'm amazed, and appreciate you! Right now I'm picturing you on a stage, and I'm in the crowd clapping for you.