Enter the satellite world of
Calling All Stars, orbiting a distant home planet in
search of “another of my kind.” The dreamy transmissions
arriving here are powerful and plush -- a ghostly orchestra of
sounds, highlighted by twangy guitars, ethereal brass, and
darkly expressive vocals.
Chan Poling began his
music career in earnest as keyboardist/vocalist/lyricist of
The Suburbs, a Minneapolis band born of the late
70s/early 80s new wave/punk scene and characterized by their
taut energy and off-kilter lyrics. First releasing In Combo on
Twin/Tone Records in 1980, The Suburbs also went on to
record Credit In Heaven in 1981, and the radio hit “Music for
Boys” in 1982 (both albums are available now on CD on Beejtar
Records) for the home-town indie label that was also the
birthplace of The Replacements and Soul Asylum. Keeping stride
with their contemporaries of the scene, the band made the jump
to the majors, recording first with PolyGram ("Love Is The
Law", 1984) and then a self -titled album with A&M that
contained the radio hit "Life Is Like." Their rabid fan
following propelled them touring across the country with their
peers REM and The Replacements, but when airplay at the time
couldn't catch up and record sales stalled, the band disbanded
in 1987 in frustration.
Chan then found new life for
his dark yet whimsical compositions when
filmakers approached him to use them in films and
television. He continues to write for film and TV, and most
recently has been commissioned by Kevin McCollum (the producer
of the 90's greatest musical theater hit, RENT) to
write a new musical, "Heaven," which features Chan's dark and
romantic songs and score.
"Calling All Stars" is Chan's
first collection of pop songs to be released in over a
decade.
Enter the satellite world of
Calling All Stars, orbiting a distant home planet in
search of “another of my kind.” The dreamy transmissions
arriving here are powerful and plush -- a ghostly orchestra of
sounds, highlighted by twangy guitars, ethereal brass, and
darkly expressive vocals.