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STARTING EARLY

ONE ON ONE…STARTING EARLY

with David Kasheta

Starting Early is comprised of brothers Rory and Declan O'Donnell (vocals, guitars, and bass) alongside Paul Mosimann (drums). Positioned within the broad category of indie-rock, Starting Early boasts a refreshingly genuine sound and honed their skills by performing Beatles harmonies and recreating the iconic sounds of Cream and Led Zeppelin. Infusing their exciting and spirited songwriting with a nostalgic flair, their debut album, Hello, was launched in the fall of 2023, showcasing their vibrant fusion of modern and retro rock.

Based in Washington, DC, the garage-rock indie trio Starting Early (https://startingearlyofficial.com/home) is gaining national attention with their intricate vocal harmonies and direct rock 'n' roll style. The group has several regional performances lined up and is planning to expand their tour efforts into 2025, with a new single set to release in late October.

Three men in suits and ties are standing on a street

Thank you for being here today and for sharing insights about the band despite your busy schedule. Listeners of Rock Never Rusts are really into the energy and melody of the band and especially of the song, Gallery! One listener told me it reminds them of The Strypes and The Strokes. Give us some background of that song.

Three men are standing next to each other and one of them is holding a guitar.

L > R Rory O’Donnell, Declan O’Donnell, Paul Mosimann

Declan: I actually started listening to The Strokes a little over a year ago and was really struck by their music, in particular their song “Last Night.” I really wanted to write a song that had that kind of positive upbeat energy with the drums and guitar work. I went to work on a demo when I was living out in the countryside in the Shenandoah Valley at the time and presented it to the band, and they seem to like it.

Rory: Yeah it was almost as if you brought the freshness of the countryside to Paul and I who were living

Can you share the story behind choosing your band's name and how it reflects the essence of your music?

Rory: This is wild, but “it is perhaps most appropriate for one who is about to depart yonder to tell and examine tales about what we believe that journey to be like. What else could one do in the time we have until sunset?” I was on a huge Egyptology kick some years ago. I would watch these documentaries of pyramids and mummies with Declan in our parents’ basement when he was sick as a child. 

As a result, he developed a recurring dream where he was a peacock who could fly near the Nile River. The only catch was that he could only fly in the morning (in the dream, that is). So he developed this mantra “I’m a peacock! You got to let me fly starting early” and the end tag of that became the name when it was time for us to join musical forces as brothers.

Tell us about the album, Hello.

A poster that says starting early on it

Rory: Yeah! The album was a lot of firsts for us. It was our first time going into a professional studio with more of an exploration attitude and also working with a producer who was impacting how we played.

Declan: there was a lot of guesswork involved so we're very grateful to Ben at Ivakota Studios for his guiding hand. I remember coming home from work and treating songwriting as if it were a kind of part-time job trying to work inside the frame of our sound.


Rory: It was pretty great too that we paid for all of the recordings, mixing, and mastering with the proceeds from playing our own shows. The album has 10 tracks which was a goal early on. I think we decided in October that we were going to crank out a 10-song album, and we basically had everything written by March. The album features tracks that are fast and slow. It'll move you in ways and make you feel certain things. Things you never thought possible.

A black and white photo of a man playing a guitar on a stage.

How would you best describe your music?

Rory: Plucky songwriting that is unpretentiously fresh. Living somewhere between Vampire Weekend and the Strokes I suppose.

What are the plans for Starting Early for the next 6 months?

Rory: Snapping necks and Cashin checks!

Declan: We are releasing a single in October and playing a lot of shows that are more focused on the local DC music scene.

What was the first moment where you thought that people dug what you had to play and say?

Rory: I was in a cover band in college, and I gave being a frontman and main singer a shot. Some random girl came out and told me that I had a really good voice. Maybe she was lying. But ever since then I've just been on a quest to be considered undecidedly dreamy.

Declan: I played a show with my friend and my parents had a lot of critiques instead of just patting me on the back. So I guess that let me know they were taking what I was doing seriously.

When did you first discover your voice?

Rory: Oh my gosh I was tone deaf and probably still am. I remember being 14 years old and you know my brothers and sisters would just come in and be like “Rory, would you please shut up or at least tune your guitar.” I was just trying to go over “Island in the Sun” by Weezer. So once I figured I didn't have a voice or so I thought, I strived to just to be the best guitar player or be a guitar player who is so good that I have value in a band.

I was probably thinking of someone like Slash. But then I admired a lot of guitarists you could sing and sing well like Eric Clapton and George Harrison and realize that I'd have more utility if I could do both. So I kept singing until I could do both around college. I remembered covering a Cream song and singing it and my sister who could sing really well thought I did a great job.

Three men playing guitars in front of a building

First album, cassette, or CD purchased? Where? When?

Rory: The first CD I ever purchased for myself was Weezer’s blue album. I bought it at FYE in Fair Oaks Mall... R.I.P.


Declan: Mine was Plus by Ed Sheeran.

Dream band to open for?

Declan: The Beatles but half of them are dead. I guess we'd open for Ringo.

New or recent bands you’re most excited about?

Rory: We just did a show with a band called Miss Moon, I thought they were pretty great. I also love the Duskwhales, a local DC band. We’re both really digging the new Vampire Weekend album.

Declan: I’d say Boygenius.

Three men are sitting on a couch with one wearing a rvca shirt

Best stereo system you’ve ever had?

Rory: My dad got a new portable SONOS speaker and that thing is wild. I could hear the hi-hat in a Frank Sinatra Bossa nova recording so well.

First concert attended? (who, when, who)

Rory: Guster at Wolftrap in Vienna!

Declan: The Beach Boys at Virginia Beach.

Most unforgettable concert attended?

Declan: The Strokes opening for the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Rory: Mine is probably that Beach Boys Concert. Seeing Brian Wilson was incredible. Hearing that he got kicked out a week after the concert made me feel like I got to see one of the last semi-legitimate lineups!

Three men are standing next to each other in a black and white photo.

Top 5 albums?

Rory: Pretty impossible but okay: Help! by the Beatles, OK Computer.


Declan: Is this it - The Strokes, A Hard Day’s Night...

Rory: What’s the Story Morning Glory.

Where can listeners grab your music?

Rory: We sell LPs and CDs at our shows but we have profiles on the usual streaming platforms. Orders can also be made through BandCamp.com or messaging us on social media or email.

Thank you for joining us and taking time out of your busy schedule. What are some ways fans can show their support for the band?

Rory: Sharing our music and bringing friends to shows of course! For better or worse, Instagram and Spotify seem to be the most significant numbers for us. Following us on Instagram and commenting on a post or messaging us means a lot. Let us know where in the world you are. It warms our hearts to know that we are being appreciated in various places!

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May 2024

By proadAccountId-468679 • 22 Apr, 2024
Spring has officially sprung here in the Northeast U.S., and the only thing that’s growing faster than the weeds in my yard is the slate of gigs popping up in all our favorite clubs! Not much compares to seeing these bands giving it their all on stage and we fans are eternally grateful. I always throw out reminders to support your local bands in whatever way possible. Reaching out on the socials seems to be the easiest way as a word of encouragement has quite an impact. A lot of bands have great websites where you can sit and soak in their creativity and snag the latest or greatest recorded offerings or maybe pull the trigger on that t-shirt purchase. Thanks for your support of “Rock Never Rusts” and “The Boston Tackle Box” radio shows. Your feedback directs me down the best path to support our music scene. There’s a ton of great radio stations and shows that I love. Explore, explore, explore! Not unlike the weeds in my yard, our website, Kasheta Productions, has yet to be fine-tuned to my liking as the platform to discover and support this great music. I’m excited to work closely with a team dedicated to sharpening the approach and vision for the site and will continue to strive to make it the best I can. Details to follow! I want to personally thank the following stations that have taken a chance on me and my goal to try and get as many ears on this great music as possible. Eardrum Buzz Radio and the indefatigable Bret Miller were the first to take a chance on me and that station and its radio presenters opened my eyes to many types of great music not previously familiar. Explore, explore, explore! Thanks and gratitude to Pop Radio UK, KOR, Sole of Indie Radio, WOMR, Alt Radio Rocks, Radio Candy Radio, WSCR, and North of Boston Radio for their platforms that allow us to be one conduit between you and your music. I’m psyched to say there are more stations in the pipeline to increase the surface area of listenership and strengthen the bond that unites us in our love of music. Until then, support your local bands!

January 2024

23 Jan, 2024
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