MANSFIELD — Raven Starr described their debut album, “RiSE of the MALKAViAN,” as giving voices to different parts of their life previously kept silent.
“I feel like different parts of me wrote different songs,” Starr said. “Some of them came from a part of me that has a lot of anger that needed to be put in its place. The MALKAViAN wrote itself in a way.
“I made the song ‘A_PART’ last year and I really liked it, and almost immediately started working on another song. I challenged myself to make an entire album and not just singles or an EP.”
Starr is hosting an album release party for “RiSE of the MALKAViAN,” with Henry Screen Printing at the Electric Company on Oct. 18. Doors open at 7 p.m. Cover charge is $10 and Halloween costumes are encouraged.
A costume contest will award trophies to winners in four different categories — funniest, scariest, best overall and best couples costume.
The show is for all ages and guests 21+ can purchase alcohol at the bar. The Electric Company is at 1400 W. 4th Street.
Inspired by the roleplaying game “Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines,” Starr used the metaphor of a clan from the video game — the Malkavian — to illustrate their own mental health journey.
“I was inspired by the imagery of Bloodlines to communicate what I was feeling on the album,” Starr said.
“The Malkavian clan is a type of vampire in the game and their blood is tainted with madness, so they seem insane, but they can foretell truths that aren’t seen by others.”
Album release will be Starr’s third live show
Starr, 32, performed an initial solo show at Richland Source’s Newsroom After Hours in May.
“I hadn’t been on stage in 10 years before After Hours,” Starr said. “I’m so grateful for the Henrys’ belief in me and the community’s support.
“Richland Source, Music Fest and my album debut — I couldn’t ask for a better first three shows.”
Jillian Henry, co-owner of Henry Screen Printing with her husband Jake, said she started listening to Starr’s music a few years ago. She invited Starr to perform at the May 17 Newsroom After Hours.
“I was so excited to see someone from the Mansfield community making music that was so different from anything else I had heard in the area,” Henry said.
“Raven’s set was truly magical to witness.
“Jake and I love putting on shows to showcase the great talent in our area and also to give opportunities to artists doing the hard work of developing themselves, and supporting the local art and music scene. Raven exemplifies all of these things and we’re honored to know and support them however we can.”
Henry also noted this will be the first Mansfield show for Columbus artist TRAVISNOTCOOL.
Other artists at the Oct. 18 show include NEWERACAM and Hurricane Ditka. Lee McIntosh from Potent Studios will provide lights and visuals.
Artists Kalamity Art and JoyFishStudios will have tables with their merchandise at the show, and Third Street Family Health Services will have resources for sexual wellness, STD and HIV prevention, as well as Narcan.
“That’s something that’s very important to me because, in my work, I write, talk and paint about queer identities and healing sexual trauma,” Starr said.
Shepherd: Starr’s music, confidence has ‘grown immensely’
Starr described their music as a combination of electronic body music, goth, techno and industrial.
They listed the “Bloodlines” video game soundtrack, Ministry, Nine Inch Nails, Zand, Hatari and London After Midnight as some of their influences.
Photo credit: Matt Shepherd
Matt Shepherd, drummer for Hurricane Ditka, said Starr has “grown immensely” since they’ve known each other.
“The music has only gotten better with time,” he said. “Seeing an electronic artist coming out of Mansfield is absolutely awesome, especially with it being somebody I know and call a friend.”
Shepherd said fans can expect “chaotically sad vibes” from Hurricane Ditka’s set on the 18th.
Starr said Shepherd and his bandmate Marshall Elgin have helped them be more confident in their songs and performances.
“I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing right now performance-wise without them,” Starr said.
“I really like their energy and what Ditka, NEWERACAM and TRAVISNOTCOOL will bring to the show. The vibe we’re going for is like an industrial, underground, weird night club.”
Starr said releasing an album and performing in front of an audience is the culmination of a childhood dream.
“I’ve wanted to be a performer and musician my entire life,” Starr said.
“At one point, the thought of not doing this, among a lot of other negative thoughts, led me to a really dark place, and I ended up in the psych ward. That person I was in the psych ward couldn’t have possibly imagined where I am now, and I’m really, really grateful that I lived to see what I’m doing now and go after my dreams.”
“‘RiSE of the MALKAViAN” will be released on Spotify, YouTube Music, Apple Music and Tidal.
Raven Starr is also on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. Links to their other platforms can be found on Linktree.
