Starlight Cleaning Co. – Don’t Take It Away : Listen

Mojave desert-based duo Starlight Cleaning Co. has announced their debut album. The self-titled record will be released on May 21st via SofaBurn Records.

Starlight Cleaning Co’.s sound fuses the glittering LA pop sound with high-desert Americana; likewise, Gray and Dean’s powerful vocals mingle splendidly to echo the tradition of the great musical couples that went before them – Sonny & Cher and specifically Jenny & Johnny come to mind.

Check out the first single, “Don’t Take It Away” here:

The duo, consisting of Rachel Dean and Tim Paul Gray, recorded the album at their home studio Starlight Sound (where Vetiver recorded Up On High!) with producer Bart Davenport and engineer Joel Jerome.

Friend and mentor Neal Casal also contributed guitar parts to the album (he produced Dean’s 2015 solo album, Indian Summer, and her harmonies appear on Casal’s 2009 album Roots and Wings) before his passing.

The first track, “Take It Away” was initially inspired by their dog; in true NC fashion it goes on to explore deeper lyrical themes while the melody remains light, bright, and sweet.

“This record is a reflection of our life together as well as the individual paths that led us here: the struggles, uncertainty, the hopefulness and love. We hope that it resonates with others in their lives and brings us together as we all seem to deal with these common themes. We dedicate this album, in loving memory, to our dear friend Neal Casal.”

Rachel Dean