Stars, My Brightest Diamond

Inspirational indie pop outfit Stars evokes a Canadian Cloud Cult, but heavier on electronics than strings. Honest, earnest lyrics and hooky melodies are set off by chill, spacey male-female vocals, creating the feel of a pivotal film scene. Together since 2000, Stars has toured and shared record labels with Broken Social Scene. Notable opener My Brightest Diamond is the primary vehicle of Shara Nova, formerly of Sufjan Stevens’ band circa the Illinoise era. Her operatic and orchestral style veers toward an urgent brand of electro-pop on her recent newest EP Champagne.