Not long before the major-label landscape collapsed in a heap, only to morph into a crud formation of reissue-happy conglomerates, Garrison Starr signed with Geffen. It was 1997, and if ignorance truly is bliss, the 22-year-old singer/songwriter from Hernando, Miss., couldn’t have been happier. Those 15 years feel like a lifetime ago for an older, wiser, slightly more cynical Starr, who’s busy promoting her sixth full-length effort, the self-released, fan-funded Amateur (Radtown Music). It took her some time to come to terms with her sexuality (and others’ opinions of it), and it’s taken her even longer to get comfortable with her creative self. To that end, the angsty-yet-optimistic, stylistically diverse Amateur is a coming out of sorts. Starr will be guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our brand new Q&A with her.
Starr: I grew up in a very conservative environment. Most things I was curious about I didn’t really explore until I was in my early 20s. So I feel like a late bloomer in a lot of ways. That being said, I got my first tattoo when I was about 26. I have five now, and they are all deeply personal to me. I love tattoos. I think they’re sexy. I’ve been very deliberate about the ones I’ve chosen. For me, that’s important. Plus, I’m neurotic and a perfectionist.
More photos after the jump.
