sarah stanley

You may have seen local Los Angeles roots rock favorite Sarah & the Starlights at venues like The Cinema Bar, the Echo, The Dresden Room, Farmer’s Market, Taix, The Foundation Room at the House of Blues and the Culver City Art Walk & Roll Festival.   

Sarah Stanley (Vocals)  As a songwriter, Sarah Stanley has been writing with or for artists including The Neighborhood Bullys, David Serby, Rich McCulley, Madame Pamita, Grant Langston and the Supermodels, Dafni, Kip Boardman, Divebar, Teresa Cowles, The Great Outdoors, Sam Park, Amilia K. Spicer, Shane McMahon and Davey Meshell and the Transatlantics. Her songs have been heard on ABC, HBO, Showtime, Lifetime, Bravo, TLC, A&E and History Channel. Sarah is also a playwright and actor.   

Shane McMahon (Drums)  

Originally from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Shane started playing guitar and drums in the 1970’s and began writing songs shortly thereafter.  

In 1989 his band SHANE had regional success with their album Lifeboat Revolver, which was recorded at Butch Vig’s Smart Studios in Madison WI. The video for the opening track, Ride Ride Ride aired several times on MTV’s 120 Minutes.  

In 1995 Shane relocated to Los Angeles where he eventually began playing drums with Sarah Stanley. In 2004 he co-produced Sarah’s first self titled CD, and also produced the follow up Long Road To Leave You (2008) full length release, as well as various other singles throughout the years.  

Shane also currently fronts with his own band, Hard Luck Country Club based in Los Angeles, and has released several albums on his independent record label Fat Oak Records. 

Jay Green (Acoustic Guitar) 

Jay Green began playing guitar at the age of 10 and writing his own tunes shortly thereafter. In 2011 he received the Berklee Celebrity Scholarship and completed his Masters in Guitar from Berklee Music College. Jay has been teaching private lessons since the age of 16, and professionally in Santa Monica, California since 1996. He has played the guitar, banjo and bass with various musicians, bands and projects in New York and Los Angeles. Jay’s CD Half Life was the “Album of the Month” at Amoeba Records in 2009. His most current CDs Half Life and Staring at the Sun are available on iTunes and Spotify. In 2013 Jay created a Flipboard Magazine “Guitar Lessons” with Tips, Tricks, Music and News for Guitar Players. “Guitar Lessons” has over 25,000 followers, 9 million page views and was featured in Flipboards “Magazines We Love” and “Best Music Magazines”. 

Sam Park (Electric Guitar)  

Before joining the Starlights in 2010, electric guitar player Sam Park was best known as the lead singer, guitarist, and principal songwriter for the New York-Los Angeles country-rock band the Dark Horses from 1998 through 2007. Since then, he has sporadically helmed the Singers & Players Society, and played guitar for John Lafayette Ramey (2007 - 2010), Kingsizemaybe (2008 - 2012), and the Neighborhood Bullys (2012 - 2014), along with guest appearances for those who ask nicely. 

Teresa Cowles (Bass)   

Teresa Cowles has been a solid fixture in the Los Angeles music scene for the past 20 years.  Her bass playing and harmony singing has supported many artists both live and in the studio.  This long list includes Brian Wilson, Michael des Barres, Evie Sands, Ben Vaughn, Donna Loren, Deke Dickerson, Carole Pope, D.J. Bonebrake, Curtis Armstrong, Frank Stallone, Tish Hinojosa,  Eric Heywood, Jeremy Spencer, Hal Blaine, Don Randi, Al Jardine, David Marks, Carnie and Wendy Wilson, Gary Calamar, Adam Marsland,  Alan Boyd,  The Honeys, Ed Stasium, Norman Kelsey, Pacific Soul Ltd., Mod Hippie, The Balancing Act, Anny Celsi, The Sexies, Jeff Merchant, Sarah Stanley, EZ Tiger, Wormstew, Amy Hartman/Dragsterbarbie, Dan Janisch, Switchblade Kittens, Kaz Murphy and many more. 

"…packed with lots of subtle accessible charm…"  -- Americana UK  

"…reminiscent of the hypnotic melancholy perfection that Ryan Adams achieved circa his ‘29’

peak." -- Americana UK  

"…Stanley's rich voice…is a pitch-perfect exercise in weary, hopeful coquettishness." -- Rarwriter  

"…letters from the front, beautifully conceived, orchestrated and delivered…" -- Rarwriter  

"Elegant melodic shapes and the underlying grit of Stanley’s salty-sweet vocals boost the poignance

and power…"  --Pasadena Weekly    

 "…sultry, quavering vocals convey emotion and sensuality."  -- No Depression

"…would have been perfect for the soundtrack for "Kill Bill."  -- Country Music Report 

"…a strong record that can be enjoyed by anyone." -- Country Music Report