What Strange Stars and Skies Press Kit

What Strange Stars and Skies by Strange Skies is a heartfelt folk album shaped by the unique challenges of the early pandemic. After nearly a decade since his last recorded project in 2012, Strange Skies seized the opportunity during a temporary break from his work as a substitute teacher to dive back into music. During this time, he launched his own audio production business and dedicated himself to honing his recording skills, crafting this album through three rounds of meticulous mixing.A lifelong love of science fiction inspired Strange Skies to incorporate book titles into several song names, a theme echoed in the album art, which showcases these literary references.The album reflects on themes of a changing world, the impact of technology, and the complexities of modern life, while also evoking nostalgia for simpler times. With its poetic lyrics and acoustic-driven arrangements, What Strange Stars and Skies invites listeners to pause, reflect, and reconnect with timeless, universal emotions.

Artist Description

Strange Skies is a teacher by trade but a musician at heart, weaving a lifelong love of music with a passion for storytelling. Born and raised in central Michigan, he began his musical journey at 15, teaching himself guitar and experimenting with recording just a few years later. With his dad’s old 4-track recorder, he and his high school friend Eric formed Absent Percussion, a playful band that released three albums of spirited, humorous songs. Soon after, he teamed up with another friend to create The Strum Bums, recording a self-titled duet album using his first Pro Tools setup.After college, Strange Skies shifted his focus to solo work, releasing his debut album, Ineptitudes of Modern Life, in 2012, the same year he relocated to Portland, Oregon. Between teaching and recording, he also produced a series of cover song albums, blending his unique style with well-loved classics. The pandemic in 2020 marked a turning point, as he launched his own audio production business, working with clients in the Portland area and back home in Michigan. This period also reignited his creativity, leading to several new projects, including an album inspired by W.B. Yeats’ poetry, created in collaboration with his wife Rachel, who contributed flute and vocals.In 2023, Strange Skies released What Strange Stars and Skies, a folk album that delves into the complexities of modern society, the ills of technology, and a longing for simpler times. With decades of experience and a deeply personal approach to his craft, Strange Skies continues to explore the intersection of music, literature, and life’s ever-evolving narrative.