Rock Feed Dustin Bates (Starset)
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Sep 29, 2025 Dustin Bates, frontman of the cinematic rock band Starset, discusses leaving a PhD program to pursue his passion for music. He shares how their new album, Silos, evolved from singles to a cohesive project due to fan demand. With influences like Phil Collins and Metallica, Dustin highlights the band’s unique sound blending orchestral and electronic elements. He also addresses the challenges of the music industry, the backlash against AI visuals, and his commitment to supporting fellow artists while embracing technology for creative enhancement.
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Singles Became An Album
- Dustin Bates explains Silos began as standalone singles that fans wanted compiled into an album.
- He added interludes and three new songs to tie it into the next novel and era.
Quit PhD To Chase Music Twice
- Dustin recounts leaving a PhD and selling everything when he first chased a record deal, then doing it again with Starset.
- He says Starset merged his passions for engineering and music and that "My Demons" was on that first album.
Cinematic Sound Evolves With Narrative
- Dustin links Starset's cinematic sound to influences like Hans Zimmer and Sigur Rós and evolving narrative needs.
- He intentionally blends orchestral strings, electronics, rock, and metal to shift the band's soundtrack each era.