We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Anthony Lee a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Anthony , appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I’d say after hearing the soundtrack to the movie Maximum Overdrive. It’s a wild 80’s horror flick that was written and directed by Stephen King about a comet that passes over earth and makes trucks run by themselves and kill humans. It’s a crazy movie, but the entire soundtrack was nothing but AC/DC songs, so as soon I heard that, I knew I had to learn an instrument and be in a band when I got older. That was also one of the first movies that got me into horror as well, so two birds one stone type of situation. I guess I should thank Stephen King then? Haha

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Anthony and I’m the main songwriter for the band Starcourt. We’re a two piece horrorsynth metal project from Portland Oregon that’s heavily influenced by horror movies, heavy metal, and dance music from the 1980’s. I’ve been playing guitar since I was 13 years old and have been in a lot of heavy metal bands in the area over the years. Some of which got super closing to going the distance and actually becoming national touring bands, but due to no fault of my own, ended up going separate ways. Having been down that path many times and getting a taste of what I’ve always wanted to do, but ultimately getting let down in the end by others lack of dedication, I decided to take matters into my own hands and start this project on my own. Partially because I didn’t want to have to rely on others for my success in music again, and also because it’s something I’ve wanted to do for awhile, so I figured it was time.

I’ve really only been at this a little under 2 years, but it seems to be making the most headway out of all of my other projects. In that short time we’ve played with some widely known acts in our genre, released an EP, collaborated with one of my all time favorite artists, and are now getting ready to go on tour with them for 3 of the shows on their North American tour next month. Life is definitely crazy how it works out sometimes.

After so many let downs and disappointments in my musical journey, years of mine were spent being depressed and thinking my music life was never going to get to where I wanted it to, but I’ve always had a calling back to it, and now I finally feel like I’m where I should be. We’ve got a lot of exciting things planned for the future and don’t plan and getting stagnant, so keep your eyes out for us.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Of course. Ever since I was a kid I always saw myself as someone that is here to do more than just work the basic 9-5, retire, and die. I’ve always envisioned being someone that can bring joy and pleasure to someone through my music, so my ultimate goal would be to make my stamp on the music world, and be remembered for my music.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Getting to show a side of me that’s unapologetically 100% me and not dimmed down for the sake of society. So many of us feel like we have to dial back who we are to be accepted in the work place, in our families, and in life in general. Music is the one thing for me that’s always threw all that aside and said “here, this is who I really am. Take it or leave it”.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://starcourt.bandcamp.com/music
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starcourt_official?igsh=OTJ4aHFkMHNjcDhu&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Ap2gbqM5U/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@starcourt_official?si=BcE17nAo1WBd92J9
• Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/ZPwXd9AcYcF1pAH46
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@starcourt89?_t=8rqmchLNjqR&_r=1

Image Credits

No Lens Cap
Tess Connor