Starman – Early Access
Official Release Date: 10th August 2019
As soon as we had booked our creativity recharge trip to Lanzarote at the beginning of this year we knew we had to record and film a cover for this classic David Bowie track there. The Martian looking volcanoes of the island, the rough rock formations, the eerie atmosphere at times – we don’t know of a more “otherworldly” looking landscape.
In my early teens, I (it’s Mona writing today) had the habit of falling asleep while listening to the radio, and I still remember consciously hearing this song “properly” for the first time. It sounded familiar but I had never paid attention to it until that one night. I was ready to doze off when “Starman” suddenly grabbed my whole attention. I knew enough English by then to understand most of the lyrics, and I still remember the shiver down my spine when I listened in awe about the man in the stars. I grabbed a pen and scribbled some of the words on a magazine next to my bed so I wouldn’t forget them by the morning. I really wanted to remember the song. It stuck with me in a special way ever since.
Turns out, Lisa loves it just as much and it’s also an old time favourite of Papa Rudi. And Michaela was actually the one coming up with the idea to record that song and film it in this solitary “campfire” setting! Talk about a family favourite 😉
When we were kids, for several years, our dad used to tell us a made up bed-time story about travelling through the universe, exploring new planets and meeting starmen on wild adventures. It was a story that became such a big part of our everyday routine, with so many characters, side stories and a whole world of characters that we remember to this day. Each night, Johnny and Clarissa, the two protagonists, would travel to a different part of the universe, fighting evil, making new friends or discovering new planets. Needless to say, we LOVED bedtime 🙂 Naturally, it also planted a strong curiosity about “what’s out there” and the endlessness and possibilities of the universe. “Starman” captures this feeling spot on.
Thank you, David Bowie! Maybe he finally knows more than the rest of us 🙂
Stay groovy,
Mona & Lisa
There is a tradition here in the U.S. for professional baseball players to have “walk-up music”. That is, music when a hitter comes to the plate or when pitchers come in the game for the first time. Buffalo Bisons pitcher Joe Biagini is using Bowie’s Starman as his walk-up this season.
I wish he would have the opportunity to hear MLTs version and use it instead. That would be awesome.
So many MLT songs would be great walk-up songs, especially some of the originals!
Have to add, in an alternative life, if I was a pro baseball player, That’s Life would be my walk-up song. Well, maybe next season I can talk the head high school baseball coach into letting me go to the plate for the lineup exchange with the song playing out of our dugout!
I wish the lyrics were available for download.
Been listening to this one, too, a bit recently again. Hard to believe it has been four years since he passed. Rest easy, David….you are missed. Also, it shows that Mona and Lisa are very flexible in the genres they can master. Mike.
Another great cover of a classic song. Video is beautifully shot.
Very nice cover song.
I wish this cover was available for download. I love, love, love your vocals in it.
That is as beautiful as the beautiful night sky! And, you both outshine the brightest stars.
Awesome!
I just noticed the last few frames of the video.
I cannot wait to view it on my 75″
Can’t wait to view it on my 75-in
Hello Ladies,
I have a question;
Did you all add Backing Tracks when you got home?
Blues Harp, Lisa’s Gretch on the solos, a little percussion, (cajoe perhaps)
Sure sounds like it.
Thanks for your time.
P. S. The more I watch “Starman” the more I love it.
The scenery, the time of day (wow) your harmonies and voices, you all, Michaela and Rudi’s contributions, Electrically Beautiful. ?????❤
We had the basics of the song like the guitars and blues harp recorded by the time we got to Lanzarote so we could film the video there, knowing the right tempo, who would sing what lines, etc.
Once we got back home we added the rest like the cajon, drums, bass and string arrangement. 🙂
The “solo” bit before the chorus is played on an acoustic guitar – Lisa’s Gretsch actually got a break for once!
We’re glad you liked how it turned out. Filming up on that mountain for a couple of nights with the sunset behind and the most stunning view in front us was quite something!
Wow! Way at an interesting answer Mona! Thanks so much for the insight!
I didn’t know the Drums and Cajoe were Both used in the song.?
If I understand right then back in tracks were added before and After the recording and guitars were before, During and After the filming.
The arrangement is stunning and the scenery is breathtaking.
Thanks again Mona for such wonderful insight
Your version (The blues harp and your voices, especially) gave me chills the way you said the song gave you chills the first time you heard it. Amazing! I really love how you covered it.
Did Rudi play bass or Lisa? It’s a really nice base line throughout. Were the string arrangements done on a keyboard? I figure it’s Mona’s understated, gentle drumming blending in so well.
Spectacular. Love the video. I really didn’t know the song until now. Tracked down the original and as usual the beauty that your skills and voices add to it are amazing. As in all your songs that are covers I prefer yours to the original. The way you do it brings new life to old songs and appreciation of both your version and the original. I had kind of lost my enthusiasm for some of the old bands but your music has brought the beauty of that music back to our minds and hearts. I thought I knew Beatles songs but you brought to life some I didn’t know well or had forgotten. Thank you. Then you bring us other songs like this and “the Best Years of Our Lives” by Steve Harley. Music used to be just listening to songs I knew and liked but you’ve helped make it about discovering new favorites.
It’s also really perfect timing. Though this is a new song to me it reminds me of a friend who was just laid to rest today. Knowing him I’m sure this would be one of his favorites. He devoted his life to helping others and to me seems like he could be a Star Man sent to this world as a gift. Kind of like the gift of your music.
Thank you for all your beautiful music.
I really enjoyed this fantastic performance and video. I had never heard this song before and just loved your rendition. Lanzarote was such a perfect location to film this -just striking. I also loved hearing about your connection as a young teen to this song and for sharing the wonderful story about how Papa Rudi used to enthrall you with adventure stories at bedtime about traveling through the universe. What an endearing way to foster a sense of wonder and imagination in the two of you. It obviously had its intended effect in shaping the exiting adults you transformed into. Of course I know you simply don’t have the time to take on a project like this but I can’t help but think how awesome a children’s book of these stories would be, written and illustrated by you both and dedicated to Papa Rudi. I have no doubt, given your talents, that it would become an all time best seller for decades to come.
Stephen, like you I never heard this song before. I just listened to David Bowie’s original for the first time. I have to say MLT certainly made this song their own while staying true to the original. I find the MLT version has a lot of depth and beauty over the original.
Mona and Lisa, whatever genre of music you focus on, you just blow us away.
That’s one of the first thoughts that jumped out at me. Just the description of the bedtime story sounds intriguing. With illustrations from Mona and Lisa, it would be a wonderful book.
Great song from David to MonaLisa Twins. Congratulation, very good job.
I never heard this song before so it is completely new to me, and I have to say that was the sweetest 5 minutes of music and beauty I think I experienced in a long, long time. Just leaves you breathless. Your vocals are so brilliant and has so much depth and color, it can carry the song wonderfully all by itself, and when the guitar riff and background instrumentation come on it’s like a symphony of beauty! It just sent shivers listening to this! Your incredible singing and beautiful harmony magic comes shining through. I just love your singing here. And it was great to hear Mona’s harmonica too.
The videography is just equally stunning, as it makes you feel like your spirit is being carried into the stars of the evening sky over the incredible landscape.
If there were any doubts out there at all about whether or not you are both the absolute brightest shining star in musical greatness and talent today, well this video should shatter any doubts once and for all when it is released to the world on August 10th. I can hardly wait to show it to everyone I know!
Just magnificent Very exciting to hear you tackle Bowie, and give it the MonaLisa Twins sound. Not just groovy, it’s Mega Groovy!
I watched several times in a row… maybe 10 times.. show how much I loved this video.. you’re fantastic dear girls..
Astronomical! Your intergalactic friends salute the groovy boogie.
I started the day watching the video of “Let Me Sleep Beside You” of Bowie, nothing better than finishing the day with Star Man. He wasn’t from this planet and I have traveled to there watching your version. Live long and prosper!
Great Job Ladies! One of my Favorite Bowie songs.
Beautiful // thanks
I love this video so much and for so many reasons. You both are so talented, you sound so good and you both are so lovely. I love the photography and the setting and it is of such high quality in sound and visuals. You both are amazing artists and I love your whole team and can barely wait until August 10, 2019 when I can share this. Every video you have ever done is so good and they are truly the best out there. So professional and yet always so fun. We all love you so much, thank you for making our lives so much better. I am so thankful for the day I found you on YouTube.
You ladies looked like you were enjoying yourselves so much playing together
Loved the beautiful harmonies and guitar virtuosity
Awesome harmonica Mona!
So fantastic watching you ladies as an MLT club member!
I was out and about when the club wire arrived on my phone. While I was tempted, I knew a smart phone was no place to watch and listen to a MLT video. First thing I did when I got home was to go to my computer, grab my headphones and log into the club. Wow! Fantastic! I am glad I waited to listen on my headphones so could hear it, as you would say, “properly.” It is refreshing and wonderful to see a family create such beautiful art.
Outta this world… . Cosmically Startastic… A nice surprise and this location compliments the essence of this Bowie classic… David would be stardust Ed Groovified by this…. I LUV it, the vocals and instrumentation, All intertwines along the Rock n Roll Starry Groovy Way…. Thankyou for this EA treat, Come August 10th, I’m going to say that many will gladly be comically entranced by this….. Definitely…
When I saw that a “Starman” video was next on the Early Access, I thought it was an interesting choice but wasn’t sure it would work. For whatever reason I thought it was too far outside of your musical comfort zone. Well I enjoy being wrong, because you did the song very well. I forgot temporarily about your harmonies and your harmonies on this song is very good as usual. The setting of the video is ideal. Maybe I was thinking too much about the song being “owned” by Bowie or something……but regardless you really did this song so very well. You two continue to surprise me with your musical ability. I don’t believe anyone can put you into any musical category because once I think I know your musical limits, you exceed it. Anyway……..great job and I don’t believe I have heard any group like MLT since I have been following music. Mike.
I didn’t know there had been a heads up that this would be the next Early Access Michael. I was with you in thinking that Bowie could possibly be out of their musical comfort zone too. However, when I consider the wide range of groups and styles they have covered with their “Beatles and More” CDs, not to mention the fantastic variety of music in their originals albums, I now wonder if they actually have a comfort zone to be out of. I’m pleased that they have made this cover their own, rather than just a Bowie copy.
The heads-up time I was referring was the time between seeing it in my email inbox to actually opening the video. It was during that time that I had those thoughts.
You are our Johnny and Clarissa, bringing us to a Music Odyssey, a world without frontier. These are the voyages of the Monalisa Twins. Their mission: to explore strange old songs, to seek out new sound and new inspiration, to boldly go where only the bests has gone before: to infinity and beyond! Thank you for the ride.
Awesome Version. I’m sure David would love it!
Whew! Got chills. Hit this Martian close to home. Watched it a few times, Starman is a staple in our home. I’ll let it sink in and re-visit it again. Reminded me of “The Man Who Fell to Earth”, which is being made into a TV series.
Wouldn’t it be fabulous if The Johnny and Clarissa Chronicles were to be published? Surely Rudolf has plenty of free time to write them down 😉 !!
Just fantastic, I’m sure David would approve. If you’re looking for an out of this world place try Pary’s mountain, copper mine, Anglsey. Not so far from Liverpool.
One can tell there is a lot of emotion in this song for you two. You are so right about the landscape. I could have easily imagined you on a far away planet. Fine performance…Stay Groovy! In an extraterrestrial way of course!
Beautiful cover of Starman. Loved the setting. I love science, especially Physics and Cosmology. This inspires the imagination as you do it so beautifully. I love the cover and video. Another great performance. ?? ☄?⭐?
The pleasure you are so obviously getting from doing this track is a pleasure to watch and hear.
Fantastic! As if we expected anything less! Well done and well shot by Papa Rudi I’m guessing! Oh and maybe to explore that universe you should get yourselves a nice 6-8″ Dobsonian reflector telescope! Under dark skies there is LOTS of neat things to see out there!
Massive Kudos to “Papa Rudi” for his magnificent views and editing! And Michaela!, what a Sublime decision and inspiration to make this call. Perfect in every way.
This is the reason Team MLT is succeeding in every aspect. You all are showing that Independents can compete with the Recording Industry. You are a diamond in the rough and your sparkle is getting much brighter all the time.
THANKS GUYS!
Wow! This is exceptionally Beautiful! Mona’s hauntingly, spine shivering blues harp intro and throughout the song is mesmerizing. The scenery is breathtaking! As the drone pulls back, it’s as if you both are sitting amongst 2 stars.
That would make a total of 4 Stars!?
The song originally released in 1972 makes the first non 60’s song you have covered on your own since I’ve been following you. ?
Ladies you continue to set the standard that others are measured by.
Magnificent!! Thanks Ladies.
Yes Richard, and maybe there will be many more to follow, as the 70s is also a rich treasure trove of popular music. They have already done a 70s cover with Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel’s “The Best Years of Our Lives”, released March 1975.
Wow! Just sublime ladies. You sound like me Mona, as I too used to listen to the radio under the bed covers when I was a young teenager. I also remember when I first heard Bowie’s ‘Starman’ in the early 70s – Blew my mind! Thanks for the early heads up to keep my eye out for this Friday’s surprise. I’ve been excited with the anticipation and as usual, I haven’t been disappointed with this very pleasant, if unexpected cover. Stay groovy, healthy and happy both of you and Papa Rudi and Michaela. Much groovy love, Howard.
“Far Out” very wonderful?????? the large rock in the video on the left, to your right has the shape ofThe United States. Any plans to tour in the USA?……BTW Friday August 9th the movie trailer is being Released for the movie documentary you are in. “Here There And Everywhere. The Beatles Fan Film. MLT in a movie along with many more from around the world. Awesome & Exciting.