Future Star is: an unfinished musical, a song you can’t quite remember, a picture that reminds you of how a song made you feel. Based in Vancouver, this bedroom unpopstar has been releasing catchy keyboard music with “sweet and comically candid lyrics” (Discorder) since 2016 with whatever time is scraped out of the bottom of the frying pan that is the week.
Follow Future Star on instagram.
With influences that include musical artists like Arthur Russell, Magnetic Fields and Kero Kero Bonito and visual artists such as Lynda Barry, Future Star has built a reputation for creating intimate live performances “loaded with understated significance and beauty” (Exclaim!).
“It’s About Time!”, their most recent release and first album with Mint Records, is a reflection on growth, endings, and the paths we choose to take. Future Star is currently planning to release a 6-song EP titled “Star of the Show” in Spring 2026 – keep your eyes & ears open for this one.
1. What is the coolest show you have ever played?
I think my favourite live show that I can remember playing in the last few years at least was opening for The Golden Age of Wrestling at his album release for Scorpion Deathlock at 604 studios – it was a reasonably small venue but it was packed out, and everyone was quiet and attentive (haha) and I was opening for TGAOW (my good friend Jeff whom I love!). There’s something very simple about playing a good show – for me it has a lot to do with the stimuli in the environment, the vibes, and feeling safe. All those things were on lock that night.
2. How do you keep yourself healthy and happy working in music?
It’s interesting to think about this question – I usually think of music creation as a thing that supports me as a regular guy to be happy and healthy – to me, creativity/self-expression is part of a complete breakfast. I guess I would say the way I keep myself happy and healthy is by not identifying as a music creator! I’m just someone who creates music as a part of my life. How lucky is that!
3. What is the biggest challenge you’ve experienced in getting to where you are?
I can’t think of anything in particular other than the erosion of the social welfare state and lack of government support. I know we are blessed in Canada to have access to all sorts of arts grants but I feel that all this does is create a “creative class” of people who understand how grants work – I’m more interested in genuine socialist policies that enable regular people to be creative in their everyday lives. I’m inherently more interested in art created under those conditions.
4. What is the best part of your life that isn’t music-related?
My spouse, Beck; my dog, Bambi; and my job. I also have an amazing hairdresser who I’ve know since 5th grade. She never fails to make me feel absolutely gorgeous. Shout out to Amelie @ratsnest.hair !
5. What is the best advice you have been given in the music business?
I don’t know if I’ve ever been given advice about the music business and if I was, I was probably not open to it.