Strange Highways Music & Publishing

Tag: Music

  • Are You on the List?

    Are You on the List?

    If you enjoy keeping up with my music, writing, and the strange little creative highways I wander down, you’ll want to be on this mailing list. It’s the one place where everything important lands first — new releases, tour announcements, behind‑the‑scenes updates, contests, and the occasional surprise I don’t share anywhere else.

    I won’t be flooding your inbox or shouting into the void. This list will only reach out when there’s a real reason to — something worth your time, something you’ll actually want to know. If you’d like a simple, reliable way to stay connected without relying on social media algorithms, this is it. I’d love to have you on board.

    Sign up for Strange Highways Music & Publishing!

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  • 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 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

  • Looking Back at 2025 — and Ahead to 2026

    Looking Back at 2025 — and Ahead to 2026

    Looking Back at 2025 — and Ahead to 2026

    So, here we are again – New Years Eve. As usual, I have been reflecting and thinking ahead.

    2025 was a strange one — a year that didn’t always go the way I expected, but still managed to deliver some real highlights, a few surprises, and more than a little personal growth (forced or otherwise). As the year winds down, I wanted to take a moment to look back at what happened, what I created, what I survived, and what’s coming next.

    Creative Highlights of 2025

    In April, Uncle Jeff’s Once Upon A Time finally made its way into the world. By December, it climbed to #20 on the Amazon Children’s Books chart, which is something I’m incredibly proud of. That little story book found its audience, and seeing it resonate with readers has been one of the brightest parts of my year.

    Early in the year, I released a couple of experimental electronic tracks — not under a band name, not behind a persona, just Jeff Elder. They’re like me – odd, atmospheric, and definitely “an acquired taste,” but they made me happy. Sales weren’t wild, but that was never the point. It felt good to create something purely because I wanted to and I look forward to doing more in the future.

    On the non‑creative side, I started SOHO Admin Force, a business I’ve been quietly building behind the scenes most of the year. I know that’s not what most people come to this site for, but if you are curious, I’ve included a link where you can learn more about what we do above.

    On a Personal Note

    2025 was… physically challenging. Early in the year, I learned that my foot had actually been broken — not recently, but two years earlier. I’d spent all that time assuming it was a stubborn sprain. Turns out, no. It was very broken.

    I had the bone repaired, and the recovery took far longer than expected. I ended up off my feet for more than half the year. And just when I finally started walking again, I managed to injure the other knee. Physical therapy has been my new friend ever since.

    It wasn’t the year of movement I wanted, but I’m grateful to say I’m doing much better now — not quite 100%, but close. Healing is slow, but it’s happening, and I’m ready to step (carefully) into 2026.

    Looking Ahead to 2026

    So, what’s coming next? Quite a bit — the kind of work that’s been simmering quietly while I’ve been healing and regrouping.

    I’ve spent much of this winter finishing and editing my next release, Starr Love. Despite the title, no — it’s not a romance novel. It’s the story of a delusional wannabe rock star who maybe takes things a bit too far. It’s strange, darkly funny, and very much its own thing. You’ll see it on shelves this Spring.

    I’ve got two (maybe three) other manuscripts in various stages of development. Once Starr Love is officially off my plate, I’ll decide which one gets my attention next.

    I’m doing a couple of remixes for the latest Red Red Groove album, Resonance. Since I’ve stepped back from playing live and have mostly retired from the music scene, I only appear on the new album on one track (Activate) — a guitar part I recorded back during the Return sessions. Think of these remixes as my small way of supporting Mike Castle and the groove as he keeps it moving forward.

    I really enoyed making music with no rules, no expectations, and no persona — just me and a pile of synths. Will another track appear in 2026? Maybe. Probably. We’ll see where inspiration leads.

    And Finally…

    I hope everyone has been having — and continues to have — a wonderful holiday season. This time of year always feels like a reset button, a chance to breathe, reflect, and look ahead with a little more optimism than we had in the middle of the year.

    I’m looking forward to making 2026 a great one, creatively and personally, and I hope you’re able to carve out something meaningful for yourself in the months ahead too. Here’s to new projects, better health, and whatever strange, unexpected joys find us along the way.

    Cheers,
    Jeff

  • Summer Summer

    Summer Summer

    It’s been a busy Summer here, figured I should probably drop in a quick update… at the moment, I’ve got three works in progress. Ok, maybe four. Maybe five.

    At the top of the list, creative-wise, I’m about half-way through finishing a book called Starr Love. I’m not going to get deep into what it’s about right now. But, rest assured, it is very different from anything I’ve put out in the past and will be a full-length book (rather than a short like in the past). With any luck, you’ll see Starr Love surface this Fall.

    Also on the writing pad is one called EternaLife. I’ve been working on this for close to a year now and it just keeps evolving. So, rather than rushing it, I’ve decided to let it evolve naturally and, hopefully, we’ll see it in 2026.

    Musically, a remix I did for the band Asylum is being released this month. I don’t have a lot of details on where to stream, etc. But, I know they’ve pressed some CD’s and I hear streaming is coming. Will post a link once I receive it.

    I will also being another abstract “elder” piece this Fall. More on that later.

    What else? Oh, on the non-creative side, I’ve been working on launching a new business called SOHO Admin Force. It’s been taking up a lot of time but, in the end, should provide for some retirement income when the time comes. That’s a good thing. But, very time consuming and has taken away from the writing lately. I’ll be glad once things get up and running and I have more time to devote to writing.

    So… that’s where we are on this Summer of 2025.

    Hope you all have a fun Summer!

    Jeff

  • New Free Music Download Site

    New Free Music Download Site

    A quick distraction from all of the book news…

    I just set up a new Bandcamp page where I will be making some of the harder-to-find past releases (things you can’t find on Amazon or Spotify) available for free download. If you download a song and enter your email address, you should receive notifications when I add new ones. Or, just check back here. I intend to post a short blurb each time I add something.

    Today’s track: Can’t Remember by Trust.

    This was the b-side of the Faith 7-inch single from 1993. Originally released under the band name Trust. Since that time, a new Trust happened. When re-issues of this Trust started happening in 2014, we went with the band name Trust 93 to avoid confusion (since the other Trust is still alive and kicking). This track is also using the Trust 93 band name to make your digital filing easier.

    So…. if you’d like free download, hop on over to the following link:

    Can’t Remember… | Trust 93 | Jeff Elder

    The main page to bookmark is –

    Music | Jeff Elder

    More to come soon!

    Jeff

  • The Outsider

    The Outsider

    Out today – The Outsider.

    While it is only a single, this is something that has been in the works for a long time.

    The concept was simple; Free-form mood music. The process was simple; Plug in, alter mind, throw out the rules. Oh, and don’t drag it out. That was a big one. In other words, let’s see what I can do like the old days when hours in the studio were expensive. You bought a block of time and that’s all the time you had to get it done. For me, I set that block of time at 48 hours. So, this past January, I locked myself up for two days and did as much as I could get done in that time period.

    The original intention was to create an entire album. But, as it turns out, I was a little rusty on the free-form stuff and had to get used to some new gear, etc. So, it took a little longer than I had planned. Regardless, I’m happy with the outcome and will continue the project indefinitely. And, hey, no one buys full albums anymore, anyway, right? lol

    A little about the music.

    The idea behind the song, The Outsider, was to try capturing what I often feel around other people and translating that into a soundscape. I’ve always been called an outsider. Honestly, I don’t mind being around people, I don’t hate them or anything. But I just don’t feel like I’ve ever fit in with any particular group. When you listen to this, close your eyes and try to imagine walking through a crowd… I’ll leave it at that.

    Waldeinsamkeit

    If your German is a bit dusty, Waldeinsamkeit is a German word that refers to the feeling one has while being alone in the woods, usually a sublime or spiritual feeling. I’m very happy with how this one turned out and hope you like it, too. Once again, best listened to with your eyes closed 🙂

    Interesting tidbit: in my 40+ years of releasing music, this is the first thing I’ve ever released as “Jeff Elder.” A million other bands, a million other names, even a couple where I used my real name as a player, but this is the first official Jeff Elder release. Will there be more? Yes. I thoroughly enjoyed this process and plan to do it again later in the year and beyond.

    The Outsider is now available on all major streaming platforms, including:

    Amazon

    Spotify

    Apple Music

    I know this release won’t be for everyone. But I hope you explore the tracks with an open mind and enjoy them as much as I do.

    Until next time…

    Jeff

  • PPT Valentine’s Pre-Order / Pre-Save

    PPT Valentine’s Pre-Order / Pre-Save

    The RFH album Project: PornTrack is now available for pre-sale / pre-order on most of the majors.

    As I had mentioned previously, PPT was recorded around the same time as the Strange Highways album. Same gear, etc.

    Since I found the software to be more like a toy than a real DAW, I thought it would be funny to create another album’s worth of material to people to use, royalty-free, in their own DIY pornos… “Come on, Daddy. Fire up that camcorder, grab another Natural Light, plug in the PornTrack and hit record.”

    Anyway… my humor is pretty dark. For some reason, it didn’t sell millions. I did sell more than expected, though!

    So now, we’re back in remaster land and putting it out there for the world to consume again. Official release date is Valentine’s Day (February 14, 2025). It will be on all streaming services. Heck, I’ve even fired up the old email address from the back of the original CD. Yes, you are welcome and encouraged to send a copy (or a link to) the home movie you created (pp*@*************ys.com). I promise I won’t share… well, unless you want me to lol.

    Ok ok… there ya have it. The ULTIMATE Valentine’s Gift. Right? I mean, who wouldn’t want this awesome soundtrack on our immaculate day of romantic commercial consumption?

    Click Here for pre-order / pre-save links

    Thanks again – another surprise coming right around the corner 🙂

    Jeff

  • Next stop: 2025

    Next stop: 2025

    I hope everyone had a nice holiday season. For me, I usually consider the official end of the holidays to be on my birthday (mid-January). No sense is going back to dieting and all that crap for just a couple weeks, right? Right 🙂

    Anyway, finalizing many projects for this coming year and figured I would give a little info about what I will be working on.

    First up, The Outsider. I say first up – you can’t really be 100% sure of the order of these things, but it’s a good tentative guess. Now, back to the The Outsider…

    For years, I have dabbled in assorted types of instrumental music under one name or another. I’ve always wanted to go kind of “freestyle” though. Just sit down for a few days, lose my mind and see what comes out on tape.

    The first week of January, I did just that. I completed two of four tracks. I expect to wrap up recording on the rest by end of this month and, since it’s going to be outside of the label system, I’m just going to put it out once it’s done. No promo build up, no hoopla. It’s just an piece I’ve always wanted to make.

    Working title is The Outsider and I will be releasing it under my name (first time ever). I’ll post make a few posts about it once it’s ready. But, it is high on the list and should be out first quarter of 2025, for sure.

    More music… another old re-issue will be out on Valentine’s Day. This time it’s Project: PornTrack from RFH. This was from the same time period as Strange Highways was, same software. I thought it would be funny to do a DIY porno soundtrack. So, I did. I built a bunch of instrumental tracks for you, you and your partner or you and your group of friends to use as background music lol. Anyway, it’s my warped sense of humor and it will be re-released under the RFH handle on all the digital platforms.

    On the writing side, I’m hoping to publish two works this year. The first is called my first “full length” (aka not a short story) called EternaLife. It’s a little about mind control and other things that I don’t want to give away too much about right now. There will be decent promo on this one, so you’ll know when it’s coming, for sure.

    The other I’m in progress on and plan on releasing next Fall is tentatively called Uncle Jeff’s Once Upon a Time: A collection of Thoughtful Bedtime Stories for Children and their Grown-Ups. It’s basically done. Just has mega-editing to do. The idea is “moral of the story” tales. When I started on it early in 2024, the ideas just kept flowing. So, trying to weed out the weaker ingredients and make a smoother read. More on that later.

    What else? Oh, my Mixed Bags is still very much an active project. For those who don’t know, last year I started working on converting some family favorite recipes into recipes made from dry ingredients that could be sold in bags – you know the drill – dump it in, add water or whatever and enjoy.

    My first “bag” was for something my mom used to make. We called them sweet hot pickles. They are very hard to describe and have a truly unique taste. Anyway, I got the recipe down, did some taste testing and I think it’s fair to say that first recipe is ready to go. Everyone to tested it was happy with the results.

    The next step is to work on packaging and a sugar-free version. Once both of those are together, I will be able to start selling here in Texas. If you’re interested in it, it’s called Elder’s Mixed Bags (facebook page, etc).

    Speaking of social media, I am now on Blue Sky. If you’d like to follow me there, my handle is @jeffelder.bsky.social

    Ok ok ok… I’d say we’re caught up. Thanks, again, for joining me on this ride. It’s been fun and I intend to do my best to keep things interesting as we move forward.

    Jeff

  • Christmastime on the Beach: A Holiday Romance

    Christmastime on the Beach: A Holiday Romance

    Happy Black Friday Release Day!

    This has been a fun project to put together. As I mentioned in the introduction, the story is kind of a “What if I didn’t have to keep to the confines of a 3-minute pop song?” idea. It’s a simple Christmas story with a little Hallmark-style romance thrown in for good measure. Don’t worry, I promise I’m not going to become a romance writer. This was just a little fun for the sake of fun.

    Anyway, I hope you like it and can have as much fun with the song (and now the story) as I have over the years. It is everywhere today. I will post links to the major places below.

    Thanks for reading and have fun!

    Jeff

    Amazon Kindle and Print versions are available by clicking here. Print versions can also be found in many of your larger retail chains. If they don’t have it, just ask for it and they can get it through their distributor. Kindle note: If you have Kindle Unlimited, the title is available to read free for the next month! Just add it to your reading list and you’re good to go.

    Audible audiobook version is available by clicking here.

    The re-issue of the original Roy Holliday song (and more) is available today on Amazon by clicking here or at Apple Music by clicking here.

  • The Countdown Begins / Spotify Pre-Save

    The Countdown Begins / Spotify Pre-Save

    Well, here we go, kids. 10 days til the release of the new short story, Christmastime on the Beach: A Holiday Romance and 10 days til the release of…

    Christmastime on the Beach – the digital music collection!

    Yes, to coincide with the book’s release, we’ve gathered Roy’s previous Christmas songs, remastered them, and put them all together in one place for easy access.

    Christmastime on the Beach will be available on all major streaming platforms and, for you Spotterfy users, you can pre-save it NOW by clicking here or using the perty link below.

    And while we’re on the topic of links and countdowns, don’t forget that the Goodreads giveaway (giving away 100 copies of the new book in Kindle format) only has 10 days left for you to enter.

    Goodreads Book Giveaway

    Christmastime on the Beach by Jeff Elder

    Christmastime on the Beach

    by Jeff Elder

    Giveaway ends November 29, 2024.

    See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

    Enter Giveaway

    Here’s to hoping you have as much fun with this one as I am!

    Jeff

  • Original Demos 1996

    Original Demos 1996

    Today, appropriately Friday, the 13th, welcomes a new Frustrated Housewives compilation; The Original Demos 1996.

    These recordings were made for the first CD (the green album with the Joan Warhol layout). While it has been remastered, the overall audio quality on these is not up to today’s standards and the performances are not nearly as polished as they became in later years, hence “Demos.” But I wanted to get them out there since all of the songs bring back memories or have some significance in my life and music career.

    If you were there back in the day, you may notice the absence of New World and a couple of others. Unfortunately, Warner Brothers was not willing to license the vocal samples for a new release, so I am not going to be able to get them on streaming services or for sale. There’s a good chance I may just make them freebie downloads in the near future, so stay tuned there.

    When I wrote these songs, it was a difficult and confusing time for me, both musically and personally. Listening to these tracks I am taken right back to where I was when I wrote them. We live. We learn and we move on. Right? Right! For now, I hope you enjoy this little time capsule of where my head was in 1996.

    Original Demos is available on Amazon by clicking here and is on all major streaming platforms.

  • RFH – Strange Highways

    RFH – Strange Highways

    Strange Highways was a project I conceived in the late nineties. I’ll take an excerpt from the forthcoming book to explain:

    In my younger days, I was a musician and did a lot of solo driving. I enjoyed the driving more than playing live. Around 1999, I stumbled upon some new music software that was uniquely suited for soundtrack style compositions and I was very interested in getting into soundtrack work. I decided to put together a concept album called Strange Highways. It would be about things that used to run through my head as I drove throughout the night. I always wondered what might have happened at some of the ruins I’d see along the
    highways. Not knowing, and not having time to stop, I would make up my own stories – or scenes might be a more appropriate term.

    I released a limited run of Strange Highways on CD in 2001 with the plans of turning it into a side-show style walk through multi-media “ride” that would tour with bands, like as an opening act as you enter the concert venue.

    Unfortunately, the budget to make this happen just wasn’t there and the concept slowly faded away.

    The music stuck with me, though. So did driving. Even without being in a band, I found myself drawn to the road -my comfort zone. My happy place. I re-visited the Strange Highways album. In 2015, I had it remastered and released it under the band name RFH.

    Strange Highways is currently still available on all major streaming platforms.

    Click Here to listen or purchase on Amazon.