For stars: "try to relate it to Roy Orbinson. That guy's the king of sad sore"

Thrasher Magazine, August, 2004 by Kaleb Gay

TODAY'S MUSIC in general is somewhat comparable to the sea. You've got these fancy beaches all over the world, which represent the music that radio plays, with the fun and sun of your ba-ba bullshit corporate anthems. It's the kind of situation that under normal circumstances somebody is going to get burnt. Then you have the raging oceans that offer much more of a reward, but you must either risk swimming or travel there via boat. Finally there is the ocean floor--the most dangerous of all--where the colorful magic lives and offers the most deserving treasures of Cousteau representation. This, my friends, is where rare and exquisite bands like California's For Stars reside in the nautical scheme of things. Music of happiness, happiness lost and joy yet to be discovered await you. And so, daring hunters of the ocean floor, a little quiet time with For Stars' very own Carlos Forster.

Where do the member of For Stars reside?

Christian, Will, and I live in San Francisco. Mike Young is in Princeton, NJ for graduate school.

... It Falls Apart marks For Stars' fourth release on Future Farmer, which makes you guys the label's elders. How's that feel?

It really does not make me feel that much at all. I appreciate all the work that Future Farmer has done for us, but when I get down to my gut feelings it does not mean that much to me.

Your sound's been described as "mope rock" and "sad core." Are those accurate descriptions for introducing your band?

No, not really. Our music is what it is. I like to sing and write songs. Mike likes to play guitar and work on arrangements. I think we write love songs. Love has a full spectrum of emotions. I think much of our music, especially in the past, is really quite positive and happy. The new record is a bit dark because that's just where we were at. I'm making a new record that's very happy sounding. It'll make you sick.

When you're home for holidays with distant family, how do you describe your band?

I grew up in a family were we listened to a lot of Barry Manilow, Neil Diamond, and other stuff like that. So explanations need to be simple. I'll say something like we're a "weird version of the Carpenters," or somehow try to relate it to Roy Orbison, that guy's the king of sad core.

What band(s) would you say helped define the For Stars sound?

I listen to all kinds of different music. My favorites are, and probably always will be, Joni Mitchell, Randy Newman, Roy Orbison and people in that vain. Lately I've been listening a lot to the Blue Nile and Roxy Music. I really like it all.

The new album's song titles create a short poem: "I should have told you calm down baby, it doesn't really matter in the end. Shattered glass reminds you, if it falls apart lend out your love." Is this just dumb luck?

No. I came up with that at work. When I was younger I remember I liked how the song titles on Quadraphenia seemed to read as a poem. So I thought it would be fun to try.

Did song titles come before music and lyrics?

No, the song always comes first. We don't even name songs until the artwork is being prepared. Mike and I just thought it would be fun to do something different. It's usually such a boring part of the process for me. This made it a challenge, much like writing a song or doing a puzzle.

The latest bio that supports ... It Falls Apart speaks of a "would have been" major label signing. What's the story behind that?

I don't want to get too into that. We talked to a lot of people, but it's not that big of a deal. No one was really willing to go to the table with it. I think we are just a bit too weird and possibly a bit un-hip ... at least un-hip looking. Whatever.

Have you heard any new (or old) music recently that caught your attention?

I'm making this record with this guy Scott Solter and he's been getting me into new stuff. I bought The Pearl by Harold Budd and Brian Eno and I love it. I've been getting into ambient stuff. It helps me relax and makes the world around me prettier. I quit drinking and doing drugs a while back and ambient music, as well as my comfort music (Joni, Roy and Randy), help me escape.

It's been a twisted four years for our country. Any insight on how you plan to vote this year?

Not for George Bush. I'll vote for Kerry.

Skateboarding?

I grew up in Southern California by the beach. All we did was skate and surf. I had a Santa Cruz Slasher and my brother Marco had a Duane Peters. It was all about skating ramps at the time. I'd never heard of street skating. We had an eight-foot half-pipe in our backyard. As good as I ever got was grinding and rock and rolls. People are so uptight about things like skating. No, it's not a crime.

What makes you happy?

My wife Celine, family, friends, music, nature, God, food, clouds, being sober, surfing, Mexico, Mike Young, California, as well as a million other things. I'm an extremely lucky person. We all are.