Meet Star Lee Gates
We had the good fortune of connecting with Star Lee Gates and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Star Lee, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
“I can”. Repeating the affirmation “I can” is so powerful. As an instrumentalist, having a positive and persistent mindset is paramount for the advancement of your skillset. I play Sitar, an Indian classical string instrument (you may know the modern pioneer of the Sitar, Ravi Shankar), and the guitar. Having the thought “I can” swirling around in my mind really helps on those days when I feel less inspired.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I create sounds to illicit feelings of inner calm, relaxation, and inner exploration for the listener. My relationship to sound and music is as old as I am, and before. I was born with song inside of me, it is my Dharma, or “the eternal and inherent nature of reality,” for myself according to the definition of the word. I sing, I play the Gong, I play Sitar, I use crystal healing bowls, guitar, Tibetan sound bowls, and many other instrumental tools to build soundscape journeys for people to heal and dissolve into the is-ness with. My journey sharing healing frequencies of the Gong and other tools with others began in 2022, when I decided to step into my power inside of Sobriety. I was addicted to drugs and alcohol, hopeless, and in insurmountable levels of deep distress. Now, 3 years sober, every day is a step closer to peace. I am a Sound Healer in the Los Angeles and Pasadena area and you can book a one-on-one or group session with me through the email link in my bio on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/starleegates.
In 2023 I released a Psychedelic Rock album entitled “Blackland” which you can find on my Spotify. I began performing that album with a band I put together. We have been fortunate enough to play all over Los Angeles and surrounding areas. Soon after releasing that album, I was exposed to the wonders of the Sitar. I have been playing ever since.
Since releasing “Blackland” in 2023, my sound has developed more facets and I am now blending elements of Indian Classical Sitar music with the guitar. My new single “Dark Heart” with Paul Z Livingstone on sitar will be out to stream everywhere in April.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Los Angeles is a beautiful city. I was born in Pasadena, and I grew up in Burbank, which is the San Fernando Valley. Being a local has made it possible for me to explore the entirety of the city and really get to know all of the hidden gems. For music I would say, check out Corazón Culture & Arts Resource Center in Topanga Canyon, Permanent Records Roadhouse in Cypress Park, Zebulon Cafe & Concert in Silverlake, and The Resident in Downtown. For all foodies, I would recommend Little Ethiopia in Mid City, any restaurant on Sunset Ave in Silverlake, any restaurant on York Ave in Highland Park, and walking around The Arts District in Downtown. For organic vegan food I would recommend Wild Living Foods in Downtown, SunLife Cafe in Malibu, Cafe Gratitude in Larchmont, and Baba’s Vegan cafe in Leimert Park. My top destination to visit is in the Foothills of our beautiful North east LA, Altadena, which was unfortunately devastatingly affected by the fires. You can help restore our community by checking out this link: https://www.mutualaid.la/resources and https://www.soulforceproject.com/.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I wake up to the life I live now because I choose to let God into my lived experience, into my Sound Healing practice, and into my music. I would like to clarify that for me God is an energetic enigma that permeates all of existence; my perceived and unperceived reality. I believe God is the single-most important element in my creativity. As soon as I became receptive to the energy of Divine Creation and allowed myself to become a channel for “Source” as Rick Rubin likes to say, my creative flow improved and increased exponentially. I am so grateful for that.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starleegates/?hl=en
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLjkouHfeWg
Other: Bookings Email: starthelight11@gmail.com
Image Credits
Tintype image taken by Sunny Mills
https://www.instagram.com/sunshine_acid/?hl=en
Aaron Lacy
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
