starnes&shah

join our mailing list

new album pink white blue green is available on cdbaby and iTunes!

things to do

read The Noise Boston's Review of Pink White Blue Green here
read Wildy's World's Review of Pink White Blue Green here
see S&S at Arlene's Grocery in NYC on 1.3.10 - details
buy "Pink White Blue Green" at itunes or cdbaby
read S&S interview with The Boston Examiner's Liz Gines here
follow S&S on twitter
friend S&S on facebook
keep up with S&S via s nippets - a new mini blog
watch S&S videos
talk to S&S via the guestbook

want to see more S&S shows? Go to upcoming shows

NEWS!

S&S are playing at Arlene's Grocery
in NYC
on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010
at 7:00pm
details

S&S are blogging. Read about their tour
and more at Snippets

Read The Noise Boston's review of Pink
White Blue Green here

S&S are on Boston Band Crush here

PWBG Review in The Noise:

“Magical” is perhaps the best term to describe the folk-rock duo of Dania Abu-Shaheen and Zilpha Starnes.
As women from completely different backgrounds, the two effortlessly meet in the middle to craft instantly
likeable songs, each bringing their own experiences to the table in the process. With an acoustic EP and a
previously released full-length album under their belt, Pink White Blue Green is a symbol of growth,
reminiscent of artists such as Hazeldine, Ryan Adams and the Cardinals and even Boston’s own Avi & Celia.
Tracks such as the melodic opener, “Romance the Throne,” as well as the sexualized undertones of “Saturn
Starter Home” and the ever-changing world as seen through “Rocket Science,” could easily be heard on the
radio any given day of the week. “Teeth,” “Fit, Fit, Fit” and “Confetti” are especially effective and “ear-
catching” through means of repetition. In terms of originality, each song soars with harmonies, intricacies
unlike anything this reviewer has heard before. Only time will tell, but the talented ladies of Starnes & Shah
could very well be the next big thing to hit the music community.
- Julia R. DeStefano, The Noise

Cheap Thrills - Boston:

Starnes&Shah are a welcome arrival on the music scene; when a really good band moves between Boston
and New York, they're usually heading south. In this case, we have two new voices that sound so good
together. Starnes&Shah dance splendidly on the fence between folky-rock and rockish-folk, but it doesn't
matter with great lyrics and melodies. S&S have been joined by a local bassist and drummer, and the
acoustics are great at the Lily Pad.
- Rob, Cheap Thrills - Boston

PWBG Review on Wildy's World:

Dania Abu-Shaheen and Zilpha Starnes are New York and Boston wunderkinds Starnes & Shah. The duo
made a name for themselves on New York City's Folk/Rock scene with gigs in venues such as Kenny's
Castaways and The Living Room, garnering a reputation as a folk group with a dynamic live show. In May of
2009, Starnes & Shah released their third CD (2nd full length), Pink White Blue Green, featuring intelligent
and melodic folk tunes with tight harmonies, is bound to gain Starnes & Shah critical attention. If you can
imagine Neil Young crossed with the Indigo Girls you have a vague idea of what Starnes & Shah are about
musically.

Starnes & Shah have a very unique sound in their harmonies. They don't blend exactly; it's more like their
voices co-exist in harmonious fashion, yet both remain materially distinct. The result is harmony with just a
hint of tension that's always beneath the surface. Consequently, not everything on Pink White Blue Green
works for me as the listener. The more lyric or mundane tracks fizzle out a bit, but then there are songs like
Fit, Fit, Fit and Romancing The Throne, where Starnes And Shah are at the top of their game. On the best
tracks it's as if the producer captured a live performance at home sitting around a coffee table. The sound is
edgy and raw and full of the bare character of both performers. Leave Sonny is the absolute highlight of the
disc; an archetype of that raw and unrepentant sound that makes Starnes & Shah who they are. The
songwriting here is exceptional; it's one of those songs you can imagine other artists finding and wanting to
record for themselves. The second half of the CD is much tamer, and consequently lost me a bit. Other
highlights include Half Hitch, Rocket Science and The Precious Face And Familiar Bride.

Pink White Blue Green is uneven and gets a little lost for much of its second half, but the first five tracks here
are as interesting and enjoyable as anything you're likely to find in Folk/Pop music. Starnes And Shah have
an amazing vocal harmony sound that sounds nearly as competitive as it is complementary. The tension they
create in coming together adds an extra spice to the songs on Pink White Blue Green and causes intrigue in
listeners. Starnes & Shah are definitely worth spending a little time getting to know. Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)
- Wildy, Wildy's World