JOY MILLS

Seattle songwriter Joy Mills brings forth a new solo album, Trick of the Eye, due out in late spring 2012. Balladeering and soulful country songs about the ethos and modern myth. The line-up includes Mills' partner of eleven years, Tom Parker, on bass, Lucien La Motte on pedal steel and electric guitar, and Paul Culala on drums and percussion. After 5 years of recording & touring with her bandmates in The Starlings, Mills comes forth with her most contemplative round of songs yet. Maintaining her urban country style, Trick of the Eye is steeped with verdant melodies and layers of pedal steel and electric guitar set against the backdrop of the Pacific Northwest. It's a sound reminiscent of artists like Justin Townes Earle, Doug Paisley, and Neko Case. Big ideas like time, motion and the mind are delivered through the lyrical imagery she is known for and sink a little deeper into the psyche of life in the modern world. Walking photographs and still lifes of commotion. In both her solo career and with The Starlings, Mills has garnered extensive reviews, chart-listings and favor both here and abroad, including KEXP’s "Top Ten Northwest Bands." She has supported artists such as Todd Snider, The Avett Brothers, Fred Eaglesmith, The Wood Brothers, Eilen Jewell, and others. She also provides backing vocals on multiple recordings - most recently to Zoe Muth and the Lost High Roller’s 2011 release, Starlight Hotel. Mills will be out on the road throughout 2012 in support the new release. “Call it lilt with an edge.” – Leicester Bangs (UK) “Organic country…both delicate and edgy… For the lo-fi country enthusiast.” – Maverick Magazine " So rich are the harmonies, so honest is the songwriting, so organic is lead singer Joy Mills' timbre that you can practically feel the heat from the wood burning stove and smell the coffee brewing on top of it." – Des Moines City View “The Starlings vocal harmonies, acoustic goodness and sweet blend of folk and country set the stage for the band's storied original songwriting and the compelling presence of vocalist Joy Mills.” -KEXP.org