Born in a small Wisconsin blue-collar town, Mike Starling ditched the assembly line for a long, sometimes circuitous career working with words, music, photography and video.
He earned his journalism stripes over a 20+year career working for newspapers, magazines, radio and TV. His original music is heard on numerous recordings and soundtracks, and his photo art has been featured in books, in films and in exhibits around the Midwest.
Among his other interesting career moves, he has edited a beer magazine, played bass in a reggae band and sold potato chips door-to-door.
He earned his journalism stripes over a 20+year career working for newspapers, magazines, radio and TV. His original music is heard on numerous recordings and soundtracks, and his photo art has been featured in books, in films and in exhibits around the Midwest.
Among his other interesting career moves, he has edited a beer magazine, played bass in a reggae band and sold potato chips door-to-door.
Work samples
Music/art projects
Stories and interviews
Music collaborations/session work
- Sons of Distortion 15th Anniversary Video (songwriter, vocals, guitar, art direction)
- Brett Huus, The Many Disguises of Zero (co-producer, bass guitar)
- The Spirals, Orange (bass guitar, videography)
- Umberto Vata (guitar and organ on the song OSIS.HoyGuru)
- Momentary Peyote (producer, bass, guitar, percussion)
- Ragani, Ancient Spirit (choir member)
- More music
Songwriting credits
- Beater Car (recorded by Bella Brutto)
- Fly Away (recorded by Bella Brutto)
- Tomorrow Never Comes (recorded by co-songwriter Hans Mayer)
This is the official website of multimedia artist, writer and producer Mike Starling. Photo of Starling on assignment in Ireland by J. Winke. Indigo Highway photo and The City at Night film, including words, music, still photography and moving pictures ©Mike Starling. Music published by Bean Hoy Music (BMI). Fits Right In music and lyrics by Jim Peterson and Mike Starling. Video shot and edited by Ashley Worden. Music recorded, mixed and mastered at Actual Sound Studio by Michael von Muchow. Mike Starling-vocals, guitar; Casey Virock-guitar, backing vocals; Michael von Muchow-bass, guitar, backing vocals; Kevin Skrenes-drums, backing vocals. Go Beater Car Go music and lyrics by Mike Starling and published by Bean Hoy Music (BMI). Sound recording and video ©Bella Brutto. All rights reserved.