Check out our interview with LA based Anime Voice Actor & Dark Alt/Electro Pop Artist Starless who recently released her hit single “Vampire.”
Many might recognize this emerging singer-songwriter’s voice from her real name Brianna Knickerbocker who first shined a light in the entertainment world as a well known Anime and Videogame voice actor, with popular projects like Demon Slayer, Genshin Impact, Fire Emblem Heroes, and Re:Zero. Her talents were rewarded in 2015 with the Staff Choice Award & People’s Choice Award for Breakthrough Voice Actress of the Year, 4th Annual BTVA Anime Dub Awards.
Follow Starless on IG @starlessmusic & @briannaknickerbocker
Hi Starless, please tell us a little about you?
My name’s Brianna, I’m a voice actor (anime/videogames) living in LA, originally from Pittsburgh. Love everything horror, anime, gaming (anything with zombies), big on growth/healing/doing all the inner work, immersive theater, traveling and bougie fine dining. And of course, adore music.
Describe your sound in 3 words?
Magnetic, evocative, dreamy
Who influenced you and why did you choose to make music?
I have so many artists that have inspired me. A few inspirations would be Kim Petras, 3LAU, Grimes, R3HAB, Tame Impala, I could go on and on and on. I chose to make music because I felt like I had so many melodies that I needed to explore, I couldn’t live without writing songs anymore, as scared as I was to go for it. Making music is kind of another form of acting for me, it’s creating an imaginary world that sounds beautiful or dangerous, creating a story and being a character, creating a whole fantasy.As someone that acts and live for escapism and fantasy/imaginary worlds, making music felt like it was calling to me.
Do you play any instrument?
I don’t now, but when I was younger I played piano and violin.Looking back I do remember writing tons of piano piecesactually, wild thinking how everything ties together now.
Tell us about your new single “Vampire?”
Vampire is a really sensual and exciting electronic piece, exploratory for me, it’s what I always dreamt my music would sound like, and I finally found it.
What’s the story behind the song?
Vampire is a destructive love story, about two people using each other, feeding off each other. Both people get something out of the destruction. The analogy is a vampire feeding on their victim, but the victim enjoys it just as much finally and wants to be bitten.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
Sharing my art with the world and hearing how much people love it. Touching people’s hearts. Affecting them in some emotional or psychological way. So exciting and fulfilling for me.
What book should every entrepreneur read?
Big Magic
What would say are the greatest lessons you learned so far?
Learning how to reparent myself has been life-changing. Learning to not compare myself to others in work. Learning how terribly short and dark life is. It’s given me meaning and appreciation for the little things and truth, reflection, so many things.
What advice would you give to your younger self and why?
I would tell her to learn to love herself and trust herself and to trust her instincts.
How would your best friend describe you?
I asked a couple and one said majestic, ethereal and business savvy and another said spontaneous, adventurous, open-hearted. I loved both their answers!
If you are a book, what would be the title of the book and why?
Bright Like Midnight; I have survived a lot. Somehow I lived and I went on to dream big and managed to push past endless challenges, holding onto my inner light for dear life, despite all the darkness surrounding me. I found myself, my heart, healing, expansion, all of my art, I found how to live, and how to light the way for others in the dark, despite it all.
What’s next for Starless in the last months of 2022 and for 2023?
For 2022 I have a couple more releases I’m very excited to share with the world along with stunning lyric videos and visualizers.2023 I plan on filming more music videos, delving deep and exploring that visual medium more.
What is your favorite healthy food?
sushi
And your favorite cheat food?
Pizza pizza pizza!!
How would you explain your fashion style?
A bit goth/vampy, a little anime girl/kawaii, a touch of dancer/ballet dancer.
What is your own definition of happiness?
Loving oneself, love surrounding you, finding the present moment and allowing ones inner child to run free (and holding her hand when she needs it).
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
Hayao Miyazaki, I’m obsessed with his films like Howl’s Moving Castle and Totoro. They’ve inspired me and moved me so so much.
What would be the dream holiday, and who would you go with?
Kyoto when it’s snowing, I think snow is super rare there and I love snow so so so much and it’s my favorite city in the world. So seeing snow there would probably definitely make me cry from thinking how beautiful it is. I would love to be there with my given or chosen family.
Best advice ever given?
Be true to me and don’t settle for anyone that doesn’t love me for me (I think it works for all interpersonal relationships)
Do you support any charity?
I sign petitions daily; for charities I like charity navigator to help choose who to give to, you can see where your money is really going. I’ve given to various organizations over the years that support endangered species/rainforests/elephants/etc.
Where do you see yourself and your career in 5 years from now?
I’d love to first, make many more music videos and collaborate with producers and artists that inspire me, continue working in videogames/anime and animation for voice acting. And I’d like to evolve what I’m creating and explore more, tie in my artistic loves by making Starless into an animated show or creating a Starless visual novel. I’d love to create an immersive experience!
Favorite song? Why?
Tame Impala – New Person Same Old Mistakes, it just hits different!
What do you think of Social Media?
Great for connecting with friends when not hanging out together but potentially a terrible time suck if you’re not careful
Where we can follow you?
Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube / Actress Instagram / Music Instagram / TikTok / Twitter / Twitch / Bandcamp
Book: Bram Stoker’s Dracula
Quote: Find what you love and let it kill you.
Movie: Spirited Away
Tv Series: True Blood
Favorite Food: Anything with matcha in it
Travel Destination: Japan
Sports Team: No clue
Photo Credit: Ashton Charles
