Strange Highways Music & Publishing

Category: Blog

  • Faith and Your Moods Are Back — Digitally and On Vinyl

    Faith and Your Moods Are Back — Digitally and On Vinyl

    Faith and Your Moods Are Back — Digitally and On Vinyl

    As some of you already know from my Substack, I recently uncovered a stash of old master tapes I hadn’t touched in decades. I’m in the process of restoring them this fall, and the first pieces to come out of that project are from a brief band concept I had back in 1993 called Trust.

    Trust was a short-lived project rooted in industrial rock — a little more rock, but less accessible than Red Red Groove. Honestly, it was mostly a learning process for me. I’ll admit I’m not fully sold on the vocals on Your Moods, but Faith is different — it captured exactly what my mind “sounded like” amidst the chaos going on in my world at the time.

    I wanted to call this out because if you’ve only followed me over the last decade or so, this probably isn’t the sound you’re used to. If that’s you, here’s your chance to be curious — or get a quick laugh. And if you’re one of the weirdos like me who actually likes this kind of music, well, here’s your record.

    Faith - 7 Inch Single by Trust (1993)
    Trust - Your Moods (Digital Cover)

    Two releases just made their way out of the archive and onto Bandcamp — Faith, originally released on 7″ vinyl, and Your Moods, originally released on 12″ vinyl, both from that same year.

    Both have been remastered from the original degrading masters and are now available digitally — streaming and download, 16-bit/44.1kHz quality.

    Both releases come with extras. Faith includes two previously unreleased tracks — an alternate mix and an instrumental version. Your Moods goes even further, with four bonus tracks including “There Is No You” (Demo) — a song that was tentatively slated to be the next Trust single before it was shelved and forgotten for over three decades.

    And if you want the real thing — we’ve got that too.

    Leftover vinyl stock from the original 1993 pressings is now available on Bandcamp. This is not a repress. This is what’s left. Once it’s gone, it’s gone for good.

    These remasters are available exclusively through Bandcamp — you won’t find them anywhere else. You can grab them by click here, or through the Shop icon on this website.

    If you were around for Trust the first time, this is your chance to grab a piece of it again — or for the first time, if you missed it back then.

    Spread the word 🙂

  • Goodbye, Old Friend

    Goodbye, Old Friend

    Stack 23

    In this episode, Jeff reads his latest post, “Goodbye, Old Friend” — episode 23 of his ongoing Substack. Today marks the release of I’m A Star: The Remixes and the completion of the Starr Love audiobook, which also means saying goodbye to a story Jeff has carried around for over thirty years. Plus, a look at what’s coming this fall, including a synth vocal project, a licensing album, an animated series about a dog named Sipsey, and the next book already taking shape.

    Click here for the full article on Substack

    Jeff Elder Isn’t Real is a Substack by writer and musician Jeff Elder, a place where the curtain is half open. Part memoir, part creative process, part cultural observation. Warm, honest, and a little strange. Just like life.

    Subscribe to Jeff Elder Isn’t Real on Substack for new posts every week, including audio versions of most every essay.

  • Just Sign Here

    Just Sign Here

    Just Sign Here

    Stack 22

    In this episode, Jeff reads his latest post, “Just Sign Here” — episode 22 of his ongoing memoir. It’s about closing the John chapter for good. The damned house. The corporation he signed onto because someone needed a signature. The unpaid taxes nobody knew about. The New York trip that killed the bar. The gay mafia who camped outside his house. The friends who weren’t. And somehow, in the middle of all of it, two records and a new Mike. It’s the end of one era and the beginning of something better.

    Click here for the full article on Substack

    Jeff Elder Isn’t Real is a Substack by writer and musician Jeff Elder, a place where the curtain is half open. Part memoir, part creative process, part cultural observation. Warm, honest, and a little strange. Just like life.

    Subscribe to Jeff Elder Isn’t Real on Substack for new posts every week, including audio versions of most every essay.

  • Stu Starr — I’m A Star: The Remixes Out July 3rd

    Stu Starr — I’m A Star: The Remixes Out July 3rd

    Stu Starr Is Back — And He’s Brought the Dance Floor With Him

    If you’ve been following the Starr Love universe, you already know Stu Starr doesn’t do anything small. So, it should come as no surprise that his breakout single I’m A Star isn’t just getting a remix — it’s getting three of them.

    I’m A Star: The Remixes drops July 3rd on Amazon, Spotify, Bandcamp, and all major digital platforms. Pre-orders are available now.

    What’s on the EP

    This three-track remix EP takes Stu’s signature anthem in three different directions — all of them bold, all of them unapologetically over the top.

    The Tired Ass Dance Mix is the core extended dance floor version — deeper bass, fuller arrangement, built for maximum impact. This is the one made for the dance floor.

    The Red Red Groove Remix comes courtesy of Mike Castle of Red Red Groove, the legendary Tulsa industrial band whose underground roots share DNA with the same scene that inspired the world of Starr Love. If you know the history, this one hits different.

    The House of Sterling Remix takes a smoother, deeper approach — a house-influenced reimagining that gives the anthem a whole new groove.

    The Story Behind the Song

    For the uninitiated — I’m A Star is Stu Starr’s hit single, the song that finally gave him the fame he’d been chasing his entire life. It exists both within the pages of Starr Love, Jeff Elder’s darkly comic book set in the heart of Route 66 — Tulsa, Oklahoma — and as a real release, blurring the line between fiction and reality in a way that’s very much intentional.

    This remix EP is the next chapter in the ongoing Starr Love multimedia rollout, which continues this summer with the release of the Starr Love audiobook, narrated by Jeff Elder himself. More details on that coming soon.

    Pre-Order Now

    I’m A Star: The Remixes is available for pre-order at the links below now and releases July 3rd. Grab it on Bandcamp, Amazon, or wherever you stream music.

    Amazon Music

    Bandcamp

    Spread the Starr Love. 🌟

  • Minute By Minute

    Minute By Minute

    Stack 21

    In this episode, Jeff reads his latest post, “Minute by Minute” — episode 21 of his ongoing memoir. It’s about 1993, the decline, and the decision to stay. AZT that didn’t work. Drinking that got sloppy. A dude ranch trip that went sideways in the middle of the night. A psych ward. A pen that produced words that didn’t exist. Hospice at home. And a quiet hospital room where Jeff held someone he loved as he died. This one is heavy. But it ends with gratitude, and a reminder to hold the people you love a little tighter.

    Click here for the full article on Substack

    Jeff Elder Isn’t Real is a Substack by writer and musician Jeff Elder, a place where the curtain is half open. Part memoir, part creative process, part cultural observation. Warm, honest, and a little strange. Just like life.

    Subscribe to Jeff Elder Isn’t Real on Substack for new posts every week, including audio versions of most every essay. Also, available as a podcast through most providers.

  • Resonance Remixed

    Resonance Remixed

    Red Red Groove’s Resonance Remixed — Out Today

    Today marks the release of Resonance (Remixed), the new 17 track remix album from Red Red Groove — and I’ve got a track on it!

    I contributed a remix of Do You Remember?, giving it an intentional throwback feel to 90s club music. The goal was to keep the spirit of the original intact while restructuring it a bit — adding a few new beats, bass, and some synth lines — to make it more DJ-friendly on the dance floor. Nothing too radical. Just a fun rework of a song I’ve always liked.

    Red Red Groove has been Mike Castle’s main project for a while now, and he’s doing great things with it. I step in here and there when the moment calls for it — this was one of those moments. When Mike asked me to be part of this I didn’t hesitate. The band has always had a special place in my world.

    The album also features remixes by some pretty impressive names — My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult, Moroderhead, Musim, MONO NOT STEREO, and Blackwell. Good company to be in.

    One more thing worth mentioning — Mike returned the favor with a Red Red Groove remix that will appear on the upcoming Stu Starr Remix EP, dropping July 3rd. More on that soon.

    Resonance Remixed is available now on Amazon Music and most of the other digital music services around the globe. Go grab yourself a copy!

    Link to Amazon Music

  • Keeping The Lights On

    Keeping The Lights On

    Stack 20

    In this episode, Jeff reads his latest post, “Keeping The Lights On” — episode 20 of his ongoing memoir. It’s about the best and worst of 1991 and into 1992. Red Red Groove was gaining real momentum, landing radio play and working on a second album called Silence — a nod to the Silence = Death movement. At the same time, the club scene was shifting, Circa was failing, and IKON was being born. And then, in a hospital room, everything changed. This one gets heavy.

    Click here for the full article on Substack

    Jeff Elder Isn’t Real is a Substack by writer and musician Jeff Elder, a place where the curtain is half open. Part memoir, part creative process, part cultural observation. Warm, honest, and a little strange. Just like life.

    Subscribe to Jeff Elder Isn’t Real on Substack for new posts every week, including audio versions of most every essay. Also, available as a podcast through most providers.

  • The Thrill Ride Continues

    The Thrill Ride Continues

    Stack 19

    In this episode, Jeff reads his latest post, “The Thrill Ride Continues” — episode 19 of his ongoing memoir. It’s about 1990 and 1991, when Red Red Groove was hitting its stride, the DJ career was evolving, and the night a rope, a long-haired stranger, and a very specific comment about legs led to one of the best shows Jeff ever played. Plus, the story of a venue owner who called the cops on his own show, and the first quiet signs that something at home was about to change.

    Click here for the full article on Substack

    Jeff Elder Isn’t Real is a Substack by writer and musician Jeff Elder, a place where the curtain is half open. Part memoir, part creative process, part cultural observation. Warm, honest, and a little strange. Just like life.

    Subscribe to Jeff Elder Isn’t Real on Substack for new posts every week, including audio versions of most every essay.

  • I’m A Star Music Video Arrives

    I’m A Star Music Video Arrives

    It’s here.

    Earlier this year, Stu Starr arrived. Now, after his MTV debut today, he’s sure to be even more famous — just like the Jackson family!

    The official music video for I’m A Star is now live on YouTube. I’m A Star is Stu Starr’s breakout hit — the song that launches him into the spotlight and sets everything in motion.

    If you haven’t read the book yet, Starr Love is the story of Stu Starr, a performer who buys into the myth of fame and gets swallowed by his own legend. It’s satire, it’s dark, it’s funny, and unfortunately it feels more like a documentary every day.

    I made this video myself — yes, that there’s some of that AI video you’ve heard tale about and yes, it’s a little cheesy. But honestly? Stu wouldn’t have it any other way. Fair warning: there’s a barista in the opening who has a thing about her little jug. We don’t judge here. Well, not about that. It’s what makes AI fun.

    This video is for Stu — and for everyone who knows they’re a star too. Even if nobody else has figured it out yet.

    Baby, baby, baby — you’re a star. Give it a watch, share it if it moves you, and if you haven’t picked up the book yet, now is a great time.

    Spread the Starr Love. 🌟

    Coming Soon

    While you’re here, a couple of things worth putting on your radar. A brand new remix of I’m A Star is coming in July, along with the Starr Love audiobook — narrated by me, recorded in a questionable motel on I-20 in Texas, with occasional bird cameos. More details on both as we get closer.

    A Note for This Weekend

    One more thing. It’s a holiday weekend here in the US, and for the first time since launching Jeff Elder Isn’t Real, I’m taking the weekend off. No Substack post this Saturday. This is part of a new rule I’m trying to stick to — no working on holidays. First time I’ve actually followed through on that, so we’ll see how it goes.

    To everyone reading this, happy holiday weekend. Spend time with the people who matter most, get some rest, and remember that life is too short to be working around the clock. So I keep telling myself, anyway.

    See you next week!

    Jeff

  • No Gift Refused

    No Gift Refused

    Stack 18

    In this episode, it’s about the cloud nine years of 1989 and 1990, when everything was running full speed at once. The DJ career was clicking. Red Red Groove was building real momentum. And one night at an art gallery called Fascination Street, Trent Reznor walked in and changed the trajectory of the band. Nine Inch Nails, Until December, Consolidated, and beyond. Plus, the story of how a bottle of tequila and a fistful of hair became an accidental lesson in industrial scene survival.


    Click here for the full article on Substack

    Jeff Elder Isn’t Real is a Substack by writer and musician Jeff Elder, a place where the curtain is half open. Part memoir, part creative process, part cultural observation. Warm, honest, and a little strange. Just like life.

    Subscribe to Jeff Elder Isn’t Real on Substack for free, new posts every week, including audio versions of most every essay. Jeff Elder Isn’t Real also broadcasts as a podcast available on most major providers.

  • Special Orange Juice

    Special Orange Juice

    Stack 17

    In this episode, Jeff reads his latest post, “Special Orange Juice” — episode 17 of his ongoing memoir. It’s about the winter of 1988, a bottle of champagne, and how he wound up living in a bar owner’s house without ever really deciding to. It’s about Troy, John, the strange domestic logic of 24/7 club life, meeting Glenn and Alex from The Village People upstairs at The Max, and the first time he met his worst best friend. It’s also about the night Red Red Groove played its very first show.

    Click here for the full article on Substack

    Jeff Elder Isn’t Real is a Substack by writer and musician Jeff Elder, a place where the curtain is half open. Part memoir, part creative process, part cultural observation. Warm, honest, and a little strange. Just like life.

    Subscribe to Jeff Elder Isn’t Real on Substack for free, new posts every week, including audio versions of most every essay. Jeff Elder Isn’t Real also broadcasts as a podcast available on most major providers.

  • I’ve Got Believers… Believing Me

    I’ve Got Believers… Believing Me

    Stack 16

    In this episode, Jeff reads his latest post, “I’ve Got Believers… Believing Me” — episode 16 of his ongoing memoir. It’s about the night in the fall of 1988 when Richard showed up to The Max too drunk to stand, got fired two minutes before opening, and Jeff found himself alone in the DJ booth with a wall of records that weren’t his and absolutely no business being there. It’s about practicing in an empty club until something clicked, earning a permanent spot, and a moment of quiet kindness from a stranger that he’s never forgotten.

    Click here for the full article on Substack

    Jeff Elder Isn’t Real is a Substack by writer and musician Jeff Elder, a place where the curtain is half open. Part memoir, part creative process, part cultural observation. Warm, honest, and a little strange. Just like life.

    Subscribe to Jeff Elder Isn’t Real on Substack for free, new posts every week, including audio versions of most every essay. Jeff Elder Isn’t Real also broadcasts as a podcast available on most major providers.

  • Starr Love Audiobook Round 2: The Patel Motel

    Starr Love Audiobook Round 2: The Patel Motel

    Stack 15

    In this episode, Jeff writes live from a cheap, slightly sketchy roadside stop on I-20 in Texas where he holed up for three days to record the audiobook version of Starr Love. He talks about why the dogs made the first attempt impossible, why he chose a fifty-dollar motel over a proper studio, the MacGyver-level problem solving required just to get the gear running, and why John Waters is the reason he decided to narrate this one himself.

    Click here for the full article on Substack

    Jeff Elder Isn’t Real is a Substack by writer and musician Jeff Elder, a place where the curtain is half open. Part memoir, part creative process, part cultural observation. Warm, honest, and a little strange. Just like life.

    Subscribe to Jeff Elder Isn’t Real on Substack for free, new posts every week, including audio versions of most every essay. Jeff Elder Isn’t Real also broadcasts as a podcast available on most major providers.

  • Welcome to the 90s (Apparently, I Have a Podcast Now)

    Welcome to the 90s (Apparently, I Have a Podcast Now)

    Welcome to the 90s (Yes, I Have a Podcast Now)

    I’ve started a podcast.
    Well… let me back that up.

    A month or so ago, I started recording audio versions of my Substack articles — Jeff Elder Isn’t Real. It was simple: I wrote a thing, posted the thing, then I read the thing into a microphone. Easy.

    But now?
    Now I’ve expanded distribution so it hits most of the major podcast platforms.
    (Except Apple Music. More on that later. Let’s just say: headache – not worth the effort.)

    So yes. I guess I have a podcast. Welcome to the 90s. Or the 2000s. Or whenever podcasts became a thing. Time isn’t real.

    Why I’m Doing This (Even Though I Write Books)

    The reason is embarrassingly simple:
    I prefer listening over reading.

    What?
    Yeah, I know — I write books. I write essays. I write all the time.

    But I also stare at text on a screen for most of my waking hours. So, when I want to actually enjoy a story, I prefer listening to it. Because while my eyes are tired, my brain may not be. Follow me?

    So if you’re like me — someone who loves stories but occasionally wants to give your eyeballs a break — this podcast is for you.

    What the Podcast Actually Is

    The podcast is called Jeff Elder Isn’t Real, and it mirrors the Substack of the same name. Most weeks, I post a new essay on Substack, and now you can listen to me read it wherever you prefer to listen to things.

    It’s still free.
    It’s still me.
    It’s just… portable.

    You can now listen on Spotify, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, Pocket Casts, and all the smaller apps those platforms feed into. And of course, you can still listen on Substack or through the Substack app if you like to keep everything in one place.

    Apple Music will happen eventually. Probably. Maybe. We’ll see.

    Where We Are Now

    I started recording audio at Episode 9. We’re on Episode 13 now. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be backfilling Episodes 1–8 so the whole archive is available in audio form.

    Each episode is around 10 minutes or less.
    Short enough to listen while making coffee, walking to your car, hiding from your responsibilities, or pretending to fold laundry.

    Or, if you’re a binger, you can listen once a month and play them back‑to‑back. That’s the beauty of podcasts — you can digest them however you want.

    What This Thing Is

    Jeff Elder Isn’t Real is a Substack podcast written and read by me — a writer of sorts, musician, and general DIY creative hermit. It’s a place where the curtain is half open. Part memoir, part creative process, part cultural observation.

    Warm, honest, and a little strange.
    Just like life.

    Where to Follow

    Follow wherever you listen, or subscribe on Substack to get everything in one place.

    As the ambulance chaser on TV says, call me right now! Well, here are the podcast links – Don’t get caught in an accident – CLICK ME RIGHT NOW!!! – You, too, could be missing out on thousands owed to you – FOLLOW ME RIGHT NOW!!!!

    Amazon Music

    Spotify

    YouTube Podcasts

    Pocket Casts

    Substack (podcast)

    Substack (main article page)

    New episode arrives tomorrow.

    Thanks for being here!

    Jeff

  • Revealing My Dream Cast for Starr Love

    Revealing My Dream Cast for Starr Love

    When I started Starr Search, it wasn’t really a contest or a vote so much as a playful way to let readers peek inside my head. These characters have lived with me, and so have the actors I’ve pictured playing them. Starr Search simply gave me a fun framework to share those mental snapshots — the faces, voices, and energies that shaped how I wrote each scene.

    Now that the series is wrapped, it feels like the right moment to reveal the full dream cast that has been with me since the beginning.

    ⭐ The Starr Love Dream Cast

    • Stu Starr — Frankie Grande
    • Mariel Starr — Barbara Bel Geddes
    • Steve Starr — Kyle Chandler
    • Sterling Vaughn — Simon Le Bon
    • Rowdy Ranger — Joe Exotic
    • The President — Alec Baldwin
    • Lance Robb — Trae Crowder
    • Stu’s Attorney — Jon Hamm
    • Stacy Perry — Heidi Gardner
    • Judge — Sam Waterston
    • Prosecuting Attorney — Angela Bassett
    • Sherri — Ricki Lake
    • Julian Rainwater — John Waters
    • Vicky — Gabourey Sidibe

    How These Faces Shaped the Story

    Every writer has their own way of building a world. For me, seeing the characters as real people — with specific expressions, mannerisms, and emotional textures — helps me develop how they move through the story. If you read my post on Substack, you’d know that the actual characters weren’t inspired by these actors. But it is a great way to get a visual of what was going on in my mind with them.

    • Frankie Grande has Stu’s chaotic sparkle and delusional charm.
    • Simon Le Bon embodies Sterling’s effortless cool.
    • Joe Exotic captures Rowdy’s unhinged devotion.
    • Trae Crowder grounds Lance with humor, heart and handsomeness.
    • Angela Bassett and Sam Waterston bring weight to the courtroom.
    • Barbara Bel Geddes and Kyle Chandler shaped the Starr family’s emotional core and, come on, if Barbara could handle JR Ewing as a son, Stu would be a breeze.
    • John Waters as Julian Rainwater? That one explains itself.

    These weren’t random choices — they were emotional anchors based on the characters’ personalities.

    Now I’m Curious…

    When you read the book, did any of these actors match the versions you saw in your mind? Or did your imagination cast someone completely different?

    I’d love to hear who you pictured.

    Jeff

  • Starr Love Is Officially Here

    Starr Love Is Officially Here

    Today marks a milestone I’ve been working toward for a very long time. My new book, Starr Love, is officially out in the wild — available now in both Kindle and print — and I’m thrilled to finally share it with you. Alongside the book, I’m also releasing a companion single, “I’m A Star” by Stu Starr, which ties directly into the story’s universe. Both projects go live today, and it feels surreal to see them come together at last.

    A Story Decades in the Making

    This book has a long history. I first came up with the idea in the 90s, when my friend Joe Christ had shifted from making music to making indie films. I originally built the concept as something to pitch to him, my band would do the soundtrack, blah blah blah. Life, of course, had other plans. Joe passed away before I ever finished it, and the project sat unfinished for years.

    In many ways, Starr Love became my way of finally completing that idea. If you’re familiar with Joe’s work, imagine something he might have co‑produced with John Waters: a strange, funny, slightly chaotic look at the quest for fame, filtered through the lens of someone who has spent a lifetime around music, performance, and the people who chase the spotlight.

    Building Stu Starr’s World

    One of the most enjoyable parts of writing this book was creating the world around Stu Starr — a fictional pop star with big dreams, questionable decisions, and a universe full of real‑life echoes. I had a blast weaving in little nods to places and moments from my own past.

    Readers familiar with my hometown, Tulsa, will spot a few recognizable locations: record stores, restaurants, The Max, and other pieces of the city’s musical DNA. And for my fellow Duran Duran fans, you may notice a wink or two in the form of Sterling Vaughn and his band, Tiger Baby. Then, there’s Julian Rainwater and ol’ Rowdy… I’ll leave those two to your own imagination.

    To bring Stu’s world to life even further, I recorded a companion single, “I’m A Star,” which releases today as well. It’s a fun extension of the book’s tone — part satire, part homage, part glitter‑covered chaos.

    What’s Coming Next

    The release of Starr Love is just the beginning. Over the next few months, I’ll be expanding Stu Starr’s universe even further.

    Audiobook (Coming Soon)

    An audiobook edition is currently in production and will be released in the next few months (date TBA). I’ll be narrating it myself, which, I’m sure, will be its own wild and rewarding experience.

    Extended Dance Remix EP

    To keep the legend alive, I’ll also be releasing an extended dance remix EP of “I’m A Star” to coincide with the audiobook launch. Think club‑ready, glitter‑covered chaos — very Stu Starr. Stay tuned!

    Wider Ebook Availability

    Right now, the ebook is exclusive to Amazon for the initial 90‑day launch period. After that window closes, Starr Love will also be available on additional platforms including Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, and more.

    Where to Read and Listen

    Starr Love is available now on Amazon. I kept the Kindle price low, and it’s also included in Kindle Unlimited if that’s your preferred way to read.

    Book Link:
    Kindle & Print Version from Amazon

    Companion Single – “I’m A Star” by Stu Starr – Available from all major streaming services, including:
    Spotify
    Amazon Music

    A Small Favor, If You Enjoy It

    If you do pick up the book and enjoy it, an honest Amazon review would help more than you know. Early reviews are a huge part of how Amazon’s system recommends books to new readers, and every single one makes a difference. Same with the song.

    Thank you for taking the time to check out this project. It’s been a long road getting here, and I’m excited to finally share Stu Starr’s world with you — and even more excited for what’s still to come.

    Jeff

  • New Substack Page

    New Substack Page

    Just a quick note to let you know I’ve launched a new Substack page called Jeff Elder Isn’t Real.

    It’s a place where I’ll be telling my story—pieces of the road, the music, the odd corners of life, and whatever else decides to wander in. Think of it as a companion space to everything I’m already doing here, but with a little more room to stretch out and talk.

    I’ve set it up with the free subscription option, so you don’t have to pay a thing to follow along. If you enjoy the work I do, I’d love for you to join me over there, read along, and jump into the conversation.

    You can find it on Substack anytime. I hope to see you there.

    Jeff Elder Isn’t Real | Substack

    Jeff

  • New Single Release: “I’m A Star” by Stu Starr — Straight From the Prison Yard

    New Single Release: “I’m A Star” by Stu Starr — Straight From the Prison Yard

    Every once in a while, a project comes along that feels so strange, so chaotic, and so unexpectedly electric that you can’t help but follow it wherever it leads. Today, I get to share one of those moments.

    I’m thrilled to announce the debut single from rising underground personality Stu Starr — a track called “I’m A Star.” And yes, the rumors are true: this song was recorded from inside the state prison.

    Stu’s cellmate, Rowdy, sent me his vocals through monitored phone lines, raw and unfiltered, straight from the yard. My job was to take that energy — the bravado, the delusion, the charisma, the sheer force of will — and shape it into a full studio production. What came out the other side is a high‑energy dance track that somehow manages to be both chaotic and irresistible. It’s Stu at his most determined, declaring his fame long before the world has caught up.

    Early download access is available now through my Bandcamp page:

    I’m A Star – Early Access:
    https://jeffelder.bandcamp.com/track/im-a-star

    The single will be released worldwide on all major streaming services on February 14, 2026, alongside the release of Starr Love, a book I wrote featuring Stu Starr.

    Here’s what Stu had to say about the track:

    “They tried to lock me up, but they couldn’t lock up my destiny. I’ve always known the world was waiting for me — now they finally get to hear what a real star sounds like.”
    — Stu Starr

    And from my side of the studio:

    “Working with Stu is unlike anything I’ve ever done. Rowdy sends me these raw, chaotic phone recordings of him from inside, and somehow there’s always a spark in them. My job is just to shape that spark into something the world can dance to.”
    — Producer, Jeff Elder

    This whole project has been a wild ride — part music experiment, part character study, part world‑building fever dream — and I’m excited to finally share it with you.

    More updates soon as we get closer to release day.

    Jeff

  • Announcing the Release of Starr Love – Available for Pre‑Order Now

    Announcing the Release of Starr Love – Available for Pre‑Order Now

    Announcing the Release of Starr Love — Available for Pre‑Order Now

    I’m excited to share some news: my new book, Starr Love, officially arrives on February 14th, 2026 in both Kindle and paperback editions (audiobook to follow this Summer). After years of shaping this story — its humor, its heart, its glitter‑coated delusions — it’s finally ready to meet readers.

    Pre‑order is now available!

    👉 Pre‑Order from Amazon: Starr Love

    About the Book

    Starr Love is a darkly comic psychological tale about fame, fantasy, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive. At its center is Stu Starr, a lifelong dreamer who has always believed he was destined for something bigger. The world never quite agreed — but that’s never stopped him from rewriting every moment of his life into a story where he eventually shines.

    With rhinestones polished and cape in place, Stu is convinced the spotlight is finally his. But as the line between fantasy and reality begins to warp, what emerges is a story that’s unsettling, funny, and painfully familiar in a culture obsessed with being seen.

    Set partly against the backdrop of Tulsa’s music scene in the 1980s, the story taps into the raw ambition that fuels performers everywhere — from garage bands to bar‑band veterans. Readers who love offbeat, boundary‑pushing fiction, dark humor, or camp‑infused storytelling will feel right at home.

    A Satire Wrapped in Sequins

    Described as “a portrait of delusion in sequins,” Starr Love offers a sharp, satirical look at:

    • celebrity worship
    • political spectacle
    • the cultural hunger for attention
    • the fragile psychology behind wanting to matter

    It’s a book for anyone who’s ever chased a dream, questioned their own narrative, or watched the spotlight burn a little too bright.

    The tagline says it best:
    “Fame is a fantasy. Delusion is forever.”

    Pre‑Order Today

    If you’d like to support the book — or just want to be among the first to read it — you can pre‑order below:

    👉 Pre‑Order from Amazon: Starr Love

    Your early support means the world and helps the book reach more readers when it launches.

    Stay Connected

    For updates, behind‑the‑scenes notes, and future releases, keep an eye on strangehighways.com and thanks, as always, for being part of this journey – Stu Starr is almost ready for his close‑up – I have some fun ideas that we’ll be playing with as a part of that.

    Happy Friday,

    Jeff

  • “Fame, Fear, and Funhouse Mirrors” — A Short Interview with Jeff Elder, Author of Starr Love

    “Fame, Fear, and Funhouse Mirrors” — A Short Interview with Jeff Elder, Author of Starr Love

    “Fame, Fear, and Funhouse Mirrors” — A Short Interview with Jeff Elder, Author of Starr Love

    Interview by Mic Copiloti (MC)

    MC: Jeff, Starr Love is a novel that feels both intimate and unsettling in the best way. For readers who haven’t encountered it yet, how would you describe what the story is about at its core?

    Jeff: Starr Love is the story of a wanna‑be rock star gone wrong. It takes us through his life, how he rose to fame, and beyond.

    MC: The book unfolds across Tulsa and Las Vegas — two places with wildly different energies. What drew you to set the story there?

    Jeff: I wanted to be able to describe subtle details of the city Stu lived in. I grew up in Tulsa, and since it’s such a rich playground for subject matter and scenery, it seemed perfect for the Starr family. As for Las Vegas — that’s where stars go to fade away into history, right?

    MC: Stu is a complicated figure: delusional, earnest, hungry, and heartbreakingly human. What should readers understand about his psychology?

    Jeff: Unfortunately, Stu is a bit like what the U.S. has become. He’s obsessed with fame, fortune, himself and not much else. It’s a sad commentary, but if you look at any device, that’s what you see. Stu is just an exaggerated version of that.

    MC: That cultural reflection is part of what makes the book so timely. Let’s talk about your writing process. Are you an outliner, a discovery writer, or something in between?

    Jeff: First off, I don’t consider myself a writer — not like a Stephen King or whatnot. I’m a story creative. I develop mostly full stories in my mind, then take them into a word processor and lay them out as completely as I can. From there, I’m not afraid to use the tools out there: editing software, critiquing software like AutoCrit, and bouncing ideas with AI. But I don’t use AI for coming up with ideas — I bring the ideas, and I might just ask how to word something or ask if something says what I am trying to express. At heart, I’m a dumb musician with a knack for crazy ideas, and I’m okay with that.

    MC: You’ve been open about using modern tools in your creative process. What’s your take on technology’s role in creativity?

    Jeff: AI isn’t for coming up with ideas — it’s for exploring them. I don’t think it’s a threat to the writing world. Have you ever read a book totally conceived by AI? I have. They’re all over Amazon. Add in virtual voice and it’s a double‑whammy slap to the creative community. But as a collaborator? As a tool? Absolutely. I’m a bit of a hermit, so sometimes I need a sounding board. Technology lets me sanity‑check ideas, take notes, voice‑type, and assemble thoughts into usable chunks. I’m all for technology in the arts when it’s used responsibly.

    MC: You’ve said before that Starr Love carries an underlying message. What do you hope readers take away?

    Jeff: The underlying message is to — gasp — stop worshipping fame so much. Fandom is fun, but when it crosses into worship? That’s kind of like being in a cult, isn’t it? While my story is fiction, it could happen. It’s not far‑fetched in today’s world. That alone makes it a pretty scary story, huh?

    MC: One last question. Why was now the right time to tell this story?

    Jeff: I can do it in one sentence: Have you seen the news?

    MC:
    That might be the most concise — and accurate — justification I’ve heard for a novel in years. Sometimes the world hands you a moment so absurd, so loud, so fame‑drunk that the only reasonable response is to write a story that holds a mirror up to it.

    ⭐ Book Availability

    Starr Love will be available February 14th, 2026 in both digital and print formats. Readers will be able to purchase it through Amazon and other major retailers. A full announcement with links will be posted prior to its release.