Starina and the Vel Johnsons: 'Underdog'

Starina's latest album is Back Home with her band the Vel Johnsons

The music of Starina and the Vel Johnsons is catchy with hook-filled, yet dark melodies and vocals. Starina's thoughtful ballads and rock tunes were inspired by in part by the music of Aimee Mann.

Vocalist Starina Catchatoorian

Amanda Bruscino

Starina Catchatoorian wrote her first song at the age of 9, while completing an assignment for her girl scout camp group. It was performed on a faux-wooden plastic recorder. She now considers herself more of an artist than a girl scout. Later, escaping to art school, Starina learned the art of "exposing one's soul on stage" and Camel cigarettes. Having long given up the cigarettes, she still enjoys performing on stage. Starina lives and works in Chicago