Style Record: Phebe Starr

Phebe Starr believes in the relationship between music and fashion, and it makes both her mood-fueled melodies and dreamstate style stand out. While the Aussie musician has been on the scene for a couple of years, the recent release of new singles “Lavender Scars” and “Feel My Love” have rightfully earned Starr a new spot in the electro-pop sky. But her frequent comparisons to leading ladies including Lykki Li, Florench Welch and Sia are not defining of the artist. No, Starr has a style all her own.

“I wear clothes the same way I write music,” Starr told us. “I get an idea and I have to find it or make it.”

Travel is also important to Starr’s style, who’s now based in Los Angeles. Having previously toured with artists including Of Monsters and Men and The Paper Kites, she makes a point to thrift everywhere she goes, saying, “Clothing for me is always sentimental, and it’s nice to wear a souvenir from a place a briefly visited.”

And while we’d want to dig through Starr’s closet any day, it’s about to grow even more. She’s announced a brand new bout of U.S. dates, and you can check those out, as well as our conversation with Starr, below.

Paste: Tell us a little bit about your style and how it influences you and your performance on stage.
Phebe Starr: I wear clothes the same way I write music. I get an idea and I have to find it or make it. If I don’t have any inspiration I just wear black. Black says everything.

Paste: What do you think makes up an ideal stage outfit?
Starr: 1. Comfort
2. Expressive – It has to reflect the music and my mood.
3. It has to make the audience feel. Just like the music.

Paste: How would you say your on-stage style differs from your off-stage style?
Starr: I don’t think it does, although I have never worn pajamas on stage and I’ve defiantly spent a few days in the studio in them.

Paste: How has your style changed since you first started performing?
Starr: My style has certain seasons that constantly revolve. I have the all black, the wearable DIY costume and then the everything sparkly/glittery, which involves a lot of bloody suits and huge jackets.

Paste: Are there any specific artists who have influenced your style?
Starr: I am a big fan of Scandinavian artist generally. They always seem to use clothing to represent moods and emotions. I love Bjork + Robin, but most females from that part of the world seem to impress me.

Paste: Any favorite places to shop or find one of a kind wardrobe pieces?
Starr: I LOVE shopping in fabric stores. I buy way too much fabric that I’ve never used. I visit thrift stores everywhere I go. Clothing for me is always sentimental, and it’s nice to wear a souvenir from a place a briefly visited.

I also look up fashion schools and occasionally I’ve found designers who are untainted. Their work tends to be more bold for the general public which is exactly why I like them.

Paste: Do you have any beauty essentials?
Starr: I try to keep it natural. I use tea tree oil to cleanse and coconut oil to moisturise with an Aseop moisturiser too.

Paste: If you had to sum up your personal style in three words, what would they be?
Starr: Magical, emotive, experimental.

Phebe Starr Tour Dates

8/16: Los Angeles, CA @ Skybar
8/31: Los Angeles, CA @ Bootleg Theater
9/19: New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge
10/7: Davenport, IA @ Daytrotter Studio
10/14: Chicago, IL @ Art Institute
10/15: Chicago, IL @ Virgin Hotel