The Kid Who Doesn't Fit In - Simara Rose of Starlit

Imagine this: you're sitting in a bar, by your lonesome; a seductive woman with lava-red hair, electric blue eyes, and body piercings to make Marilyn Manson blush walks in. She sits in the seat adjacent to you, and asks if you'll buy her a drink. What would you do?

If, by chance, you happen to meet someone who fits this description, it just might be Simara Rose, the scorching singer/songwriter of STARLIT. Due to her image, hard-edged musical dexterity, and sometimes controversial views, reactions have been mixed; of course, that's what all great artists achieve. On the contrary, those who have come to know her usually realize that at her core is a soft heart.

Upon first viewing the above image of Rose, one might be tempted to call her genre of music "shock rock" or "industrial"; she tends to resist such labels, only because her compositions are constantly evolving, and to categorize her as this or that would place her albums among the thousands sitting on the shelf. Yes, like all artists, she has her inspirations, but at the same time, no one wants to be called an "imitator," or what's worse, "another [insert name here.]"

"I don't have idols...just people I admire," says Rose. "Most of them are my best friends and true love; also my cats." In terms of specific people, Rose says, "I would have loved to meet Billie Holiday, Ginger Rogers, Marilyn Monroe, Clara Bow, Busby Berkeley...as far as today, I'd love to meet Woody Allen." Musically, Rose also names legends as diverse as Joni Mitchell, The Ramones, and Dolly Parton; metal superstars such as Metallica and Rob Zombie; and punk classics like The Exploited. Beyond paying tribute to her idols, however, Rose takes these innumerable flavors and puts her own brilliant twists into them.

On her Myspace page, one of the first songs that seeps through surfers' sound ducts is STARLIT's cover of David Bowie's "Modern Love"; what may bowl you over is that it sounds almost nothing like the original, which is certainly a testament to Simara Rose's talent. Bowie's version, which stands on its own, is an upbeat, danceable tune that might even be appropriate for a senior prom; the STARLIT version, by contrast, is slow, sultry, and takes one back to the days when jazz and liquor were labeled "sinful." Were you to continue listening, you might come across originals such as "Muther" and "I Want You," which expose a quite different side of Rose. These tunes owe more to the industrial/punk seasonings of the band, and if you plan on attending a concert by STARLIT, brace yourself for both.

Lest you think that STARLIT is unheard of in the broader market of industrial music, Simara Rose has collaborated with the inimitable Sascha Konietzko of KMFDM. Taking advantage of his electronic genius, they created a remix of "Muther" that has widely passed around underground circles. The band has yet to sign with a record label, and may not do so; Rose has considered starting her own label, but as for when, she says, "It will be soon indeed!"

It may also intrigue newcomers to learn that Rose is a vegan; for those unfamiliar with the term, a vegan not only avoids meat, but also any animal product, including dairy, fur, leather, or anything that may have been tested on living beings.

"I never liked meat at all," says Rose, "I used to pretend to swallow it and then spit it into my napkin. I remember seeing bay chicks when I was little, and then refusing to eat chicken. I always noticed veins in meat, and one time I just looked down and thought about how the steak had blood, bones, and flesh like me."

Rose has invited some controversy by supporting the animal rights group PETA; though considered a worthy cause by many, PETA's notorious tactic of juxtaposing McDonald's and KFC with images of bloodstained corpses has turned away even some of the most passionate activists. Whether you agree with her choice of organizations or not, Simara Rose stands by her cause, and if nothing else, she practices what she preaches. "At age 16, PETA gave me facts on why it was wrong morally, ethically, health wise, and for the environment [to eat meat.] I have been vegan ever since."

Besides her musical and ethical influences, Rose names "True Love That Goes Through Hell to Heaven and Deepens in Time," "Stoicism and Overcoming Obstacles," "Constant Inspiration from Life," and "Admiring Yet Not Worshiping Others" among her many values (quoted from a prose poem on her site). Those looking for a more in-depth analysis of these views can see for themselves at http://www.myspace.com/starlit, where most, if not all, of Rose's fans have been galvanized by her and her music.

One thing about industrial music that parents and politicians may overlook is that it often expresses views or challenges opinions that others are afraid to speak out loud. Fans of Skinny Puppy may recall that, in many of their albums and lyrics, animal rights were a central theme; the album VIVIsectVI was intended to equate animal testing with Satanism, hence the "666" in the title. Likewise, a number of industrial groups have made references to "Jesus" or "Christ," either in their names or lyrics, and almost all have been satirical (think of "Jesus Built My Hotrod," by Ministry.) Nine Inch Nails, back on their 1992 Broken album, released a long form music video entitled "The Broken Movie," depicting a serial killer torturing a victim; the video was banned from MTV and most record stores.

Why, you ask, would artists provoke such debate? For one, it sells; and two, it challenges the status quo and makes people think, as art tends to do. STARLIT is just that: one more creator of sculptured noise that goes against the grain, frightens parents, and causes uproar in the Senate.

Care to give it a listen?