My interview with Brooke Hunter from Girl Magazine Australia

Dar Stellabotta Broke in the USA Interview

Dar Stellabotta is an independent female LGBT artist from Southern Maryland. Dar plays original songs on banjo and guitar. Previous music ventures involve the punk band Soulful Aggression and solo albums Ride the wave of love and Mnhoti. This year Dar released a new album Broke in the USA and will performing regional festivals. Her new music video "Fountain of Youth" has been selected to air in this years 2016 Southern Maryland film festival. 

Interview with Dar Stellabotta

Question: How would you describe your music? 

Dar Stellabotta: I would describe it as acoustic.


Question: What was the main motivation behind Broke in the USA? 

Dar Stellabotta: Basically it's a collection of songs about growing older as a woman, coming out of the closet, watching the degression and progression of my peers and figuring out how I fit into or don't fit into it.


Question: Do you write your own songs? What's your inspiration? 

Dar Stellabotta: Yes I do. My inspiration comes from my friends, my girlfriend, alter ego, issues, experiences and work. 


Question: What music/artists do you listen to when you are not playing your own? 

Dar Stellabotta: Lately it's been a lot of Frank Sinatra. I don't know why it just make the mood lighter.


Question: What's next? Tour/Album/Single? 

Dar Stellabotta: I am playing at Artscape in Baltimore Maryland. After that my music video that I made will be screened at the Southern Maryland Film Festival, I am playing Jerry's Bday Bash in WV and New Hampshire Hemp Fest.


Question: Was there a moment you contemplated throwing in the towel? 

Dar Stellabotta: No not really. Maybe throwing in the towel for paying people money to produce my music and get it heard. I recorded the album in my home studio. I mastered the album. I chose free digital distribution for the album (CD Baby and Bandcamp.) Hand stamped the discs and printed out the insert. Filmed the music video Fountain of youth with just myself and my friends. Built my own website and everything. I had to put in the work cause I'm broke in the USA!


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording? 

Dar Stellabotta: I like both.


Question: What/who was your inspiration to go into the music industry? 

Dar Stellabotta: I think my friend Trip convinced me to follow my music. He was a very convincing fellow!


Question: What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success? 

Dar Stellabotta: Finding time for music while working full time.


Question: What's a typical day like? 

Dar Stellabotta: Get up, go to work, get home, eat, play music or chill then go to sleep. Not very interesting lol.


Question: What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist? 

Dar Stellabotta: All the great music, friends and art I have discovered along the way.


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be? 

Dar Stellabotta: The Dead


Question: Do you have a website fans can visit? 

Dar Stellabotta:  www.darstellabotta.com


Question: Can you tell us 5 things required for a happy healthy & enjoyable life? 

Dar Stellabotta: Eat healthy, exercise, do art, relax and eat good.

60 Second Quiz

Full Name: Dorothy Stellabotta
Nickname(s): Dar
Star Sign: Aquarius 
Favourite Food: Sushi
Favourite Film: Lost Boys
Favourite Actor: Al Pacino
Pet: Cat
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Angelina Jolie
Hobbies/Interests: Comic books and surfing 
First Job: Can't remember!
Are you a Pub, Bar or Club kind: Not anymore.
What Can You Never Leave Home Without: Chapstick.
What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning: Coffee

Interview by Brooke Hunter

Original interview link here: http://www.girl.com.au/dar-stellabotta-broke-in-the-usa-interview.htm

Music Video in Southern Maryland Film Festival

This year my music video Fountain of Youth has been selected to air in the Southern Maryland Film Festival on July 16, 2016. You can purchase tickets and view the screenings here http://www.smdfs.org.

Review of Broke in the USA by MICHAEL DOHERTY

MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2016

Dar Stellabotta: “Broke In The USA” (2016) CD Review

Dar Stellabotta is a folk artist based in Huntingtown, Maryland, playing banjo and guitar to accompany her vocals. Her new CD, Broke In The USA, has a cool, unpolished, raw vibe. It’s like banjo played with punk sensibilities, with an immediate, honest, unapologetic sound.

This EP kicks off with “Rachael Joined The Machine,” which has my favorite title of the album, and is one of my favorite tunes as well. This song is banjo and vocals, and yet has something of a blues feel, with lines like “I need a haircut” and “I am broke and I need new shoes.” And check out these lines: “My friend Rachael joined the race/I ain’t seen her in a decade/You know what I mean, know what I mean/Know what I mean, know what I mean/Rachael, my friend Rachael, joined the machine.” That’s followed by “Brother Ray,” which is a more energetic song, with percussion. The vocals are delivered with a punk energy and attitude. “I think it’s about time for some dancing again.” Oh yes. And then “Lost In The Dirt” has some simple, steady strumming, which gives a stronger focus to the vocals and to the lyrics. “I was born this way/Can’t seem to find a better way/’Cause the sun won’t shine for the sinners out there/You’d better watch out, you’d better take care.”

The first song I heard from this CD was “Fountain Of Youth,” and it’s the one that got me interested in this artist. It remains one of my favorites, and I actually like it more and more each time I listen to this disc. There is something of a fuller and sweeter sound to this one, and a really nice instrumental section at the end. “’Cause you’ve been going too long and too hard/To give up now/You want to stop/But you don’t know how.” My other favorite is the CD’s closing track, “Old With You,” a love song that is as much about love itself as it is about a specific love. The sound of this one just makes me happy. There is a sweetness and innocence to this song that is delightful as she sings, “I don’t need much to get me through this life/All I need is you and a warm blanket at night/A cold glass of water and some foot-stompin’ tunes/A nice warm meal and running water in my room.” And: “Some people think love is a fairy tale/To get to heaven you gotta trek through hell/I just want to grow old with you.”

CD Track List

1. Rachael Joined The Machine
2. Brother Ray
3. Lost In The Dirt
4. Fountain Of Youth
5. Old Man Willy
6. Love Is Like A Tree
7. Old With You 

Broke In The USA was released in March of 2016, and is available as a free download on Dar Stellabotta’s website. By the way, she is also a silk screen artist, and you can check out her work on that website as well.