Springfield band returns for Thursday concert

Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Photograph copyright Kris Hartley The band Starrfadu performs in Springfield in 2012.

Nevada Daily Mail

The city of Nevada welcomes local and out-of-town musicians to perform at local events and venues, even holding a musical event each week during the summer in the annual Music Marathon on the Square.

But Thursday, Christ's Church on Main Street will welcome a group which has rarely performed since 2009, after experiencing success across the nation and even internationally.

Starrfadu, based out of Springfield, began formally providing music for the public's enjoyment in 2001, creating two albums since then as well as having their music played on satellite radio and performing at places such as the Missouri State University as part of the Pepsi Smash Tour. Some of their songs were also picked up by Kleenex for an advertising campaign and by PBS for a series.

During the Beijing 2008 Olympics, they were asked to write an Olympic version of their song "Let it Out," which was used in an Olympic documentary called "Let it Out: The Movie," featuring Olympic athletes as well as Starrfadu.

But not long after that success, singer and songwriter Austin Hartley had surgery to remove a fist-sized, benign brain tumor while other members of the band, which includes drummer Brian Moody and Dave Martin on bass guitar, decided to return to school or join the army.

It was years before the group came together once again to perform in Springfield in 2012. Hartley, who has continued to work on songs but as a solo artist, said their own differing schedules have prevented them from performing together more often.

"Potentially, it could be our last performance as Starrfadu," Hartley said of Thursday's event, although he added he hopes they will find other opportunities in the future.

Hartley said the group has enjoyed performing in Nevada, recalling the first time they came to the area around the year 2002, when they performed at an event held in a classroom.

"It was unique and fun," Hartley said of that first performance, which later led to acts at other places such as Daylight Donuts and other local venues. This will be their first time to perform at Christ's Church.

Hartley said they have always enjoyed playing in Nevada and look forward to performing there once again, possibly for their final time.

"It'll be good to be back in Nevada," Hartley said.

The event Thursday will begin with an opening act at 7 p.m., followed by Starrfadu. Admission is free.

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