Lavender Diamond's music has been described by Matador Records as "pull[ing] together elements of folk, pop, country, performance art, children's music, and protest anthems to make one of the most original musical statements we've heard in years." The key to Lavender Diamond's appeal can be found in its simple, pretty harmonies and front-woman Becky Stark's earnest, loveable stage presence. However, The Storque was interested in talking with the band about more than just the music: Lavender Diamond is actually a very handmade, multi-media endeavor.

The project started with Becky collaborating on a series of musical plays with her friend Xander Marro. Marro is now involved in the Dirt Palace, a feminist art collective in Providence, RI. At the time of their collaboration, Providence was thriving on an underground culture of creativity. Many creative projects emanated from Fort Thunder, a former textile mill building used by RISD students and other modern day beatniks for studio space, squatting, and as an informal show venue. Lightning Bolt, another band to emerge from the scene, also played loosely with various media forms: collaborations flowed across music, elaborately costumed performances and screenprinted music packaging. The Providence scene remains a vital center of art and creativity that continues to influence artists to this day.

Becky and Xander's collaboration consisted of handmade sets and costumes, hand-developed films, and silkscreened CD-cases sewn up with silver thread.

"Lavender Diamond" was the name of a part-bird-part-woman emissary that sang to humans about peace. After Becky moved to Los Angeles, she started playing with Elvis Perkins, but when she had the idea to do a "country pop record, kinda like Linda Rondstadt," the project morphed. In 2004, the lineup of Lavender Diamond became a quartet with Becky, Steve Gregoropoulos, Jeffrey Rosenberg (who has since left the band), and Ron Rege, Jr. In addition to playing the drums, Ron brings his totally unique illustration talents to the Lavender Diamond mix. His work adorns the "Imagine Our Love" album, as well as posters, hand-drawn t-shirts, and other doodads. Ron has been creating and self-publishing comics for years. Becky learned to screenprint while making the album covers with Marro, and continues to sew patches and make buttons with lavender crystals.

The band has since been signed by Matador Records and has toured with the Decemberists. Despite hitting at least a lil bit of the big time, the band continues to make handmade merch and spread their earnest message of peace and love. After all, the band came together agreeing to "focus our intention on making music in a way that would be uplifting to people." Ron told us that he is fascinated by the fact that many Lavender Diamond fans are older people or little kids, and says the band is looking for alternative times and venues in which to perform for their "not-so-traditional" audience. In a recent interview in Performer magazine, Becky said that she would even like the band to perform at nursing homes. As Becky told us, "It's been a very funny, long road."

We had the chance to interview the band backstage at the 2007 Siren Festival, an outdoor music festival held at Brooklyn's legendary Coney Island.

See Video Part 1:

See Video Part 2:

See Video Part 3:

More information:

See our Flickr photos
Lavender Diamond's website
Matador's Lavender Diamond site
Lavender Diamond is on Wikipedia!
The Siren Music Festival
The Dirt Palace
Fort Thunder wrestling match