Previously in The Rosemarys, and The Magnetic, Ian Parks (who recently moved to Seattle from San Francisco) adds another feather in the hat that is his musical endeavors, funneling new passion into An American Starlet.

Raw, yet polished, alterna-hick finds its charisma in Parks’ musicality, and gritty lead vocals. Guitars, dobros, mandolins, and banjos are treated royally in the nimble hands of Parks. He also enlists other Bay area talents (many from his former bands) to season the production with their musical prowess. Jared Matt Greenberg (Charles Atlas) aptly handles the organs and pianos. Sophia Campbell and Mara Keagle (Smallstone, Brian Jonestown Massacre) provide Patsy Cline-like vocals. Veteran musicians Patrick Harte, Peter Weldon, Scott Powers, Scott and Noah Appleton, Dominic Fasso, and David Fox collectively add finesse with upright bass, pedal steel, and drums. Park’s ace direction creates a one-man show with the feel of a large family.

Mining the gold nuggets of Americana, and urban country, Starlet relishes in solid melodies, sometimes dabbling with 50's rock nostalgia, a la Buddy Holly. (Parks refers to it as Bluegazer/ Shoegrass.) The mainstream resurgence of this genre ( thanks to Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?) leaves An American Starlet ample opportunity to make its mark.