Star City

The band name pays homage to a town in West Virginia, the home state of Star City founder Jason Lewis -- but it also evokes '70s icons <a href="spotify:artist:3UvcmAOZt64oKpP95f6MMM">Big Star</a>, which is fitting since the New York City group's brand of roots rock is informed by plenty of ear-pleasing guitar crush.

Star City frontman <a href="spotify:artist:7ckzItHmzAPvEGdJnEqqld">Lewis</a> fronted indie rock bands while studying classical voice at West Virginia University. Moving to New York in 1993, he was swept up in the East Village's anti-folk scene. Soon, however, he was drawn into that city's surprisingly healthy alt-country scene (which took up primary residence at Rodeo Bar). In 1999, the group self-released their debut, which -- mostly through word of mouth and live show sales -- sold into the thousands. 2001's Inside the Other Days, a mixture of up-tempo, hook-laden country rock and heart-wrenching ballads, was produced at Brooklyn's Mission of Sound by Dave Amels (<a href="spotify:artist:5gznATMVO85ZcLTkE9ULU7">Lenny Kravitz</a>) and <a href="spotify:artist:06KgaEpSluofkcChSo7TNr">the Smithereens</a>' <a href="spotify:artist:2lTR1Re6K2104ySrICejfu">Dennis Diken</a>. The experienced members of Star City include bassist Scott Yoder (Blue Chieftains, World Famous Blue Jays), guitarist and lap steel player David Chernis, multi-instrumentalist Kevin Karg (Hangdogs, <a href="spotify:artist:13a3tuqkagdffqCB2eq3T4">Rolling Hayseeds</a>), and drummer Nancy Polstein (<a href="spotify:artist:6qrZlCTUWyFb6pzKE81jdf">Walter Salas-Humara</a>, Will Rigby, Cheri Knight). In May 2002, the band went on an indefinite hiatus. ~ Erik Hage, Rovi