STARSE3D: Grunge Nostalgia, Fierce Spirit, and a Decade of Rock
- Taylor Duff
- May 29
- 4 min read
By Taylor Duff | Photos and Videos courtesy of STARSE3D
For more than a decade, STARSE3D—artist and producer Taylor Ariel—has carved a unique space in rock by blending the grit of punk and metal with the raw emotion of '90s grunge. Drawing heavy influence from bands like Nirvana, Alice in Chains, and Soundgarden, Ariel creates music that's as emotionally cathartic as it is sonically nostalgic.
"My name is Taylor; I write, record, and produce my videos. I've been doing this for over 10 years now. I write rock music, but I incorporate elements from various styles—punk, metal—and I try to inspire others through my music."
Finding STARSE3D Through the Guitar
Ariel's musical journey began with a feeling—a pull toward the guitar that would shape their life and career.
"I first picked up a guitar over a decade ago, about 13 years now," adding, "I haven't looked back since. I was inspired by grunge bands of the 1990s, such as Nirvana, Alice in Chains, and Soundgarden. Picking up the guitar kind of catapulted me into writing, recording, and producing music."
That intuitive start soon became a passion.
"I just felt this conversational pull to play the guitar," she adds. "I can't see myself doing anything else."
Nostalgia as Soundtrack
Today, Ariel's music is steeped in the influence of their formative years, reflecting the sounds of the late 1990s and early 2000s. They aim to reawaken that spirit in their work.
"You can hear some of those sounds in my music, and it brings back a feeling of nostalgia," Ariel said. "That kind of music isn't really on the radio anymore, so I'm trying to bring that feeling back."
Songwriting Process and Videos
Ariel's creative process is driven by instinct and emotion.
"It usually starts with a vocal melody that pops into my head," she states. "I'll record it into my phone, then build a guitar around it. From there, I start recording, adding vocals and production elements."
The time it takes to complete a song varies greatly.
"Some songs, like What Are We Here For, are pretty simple dynamically, so it took about a week to fully record and produce," they said. "But Set Me Free took much longer. I reworked the verses for at least a year or two. I had the chorus early on, but I wanted the verses to feel just right."
Once a song is finished, the visual world comes to life. Ariel conceptualizes, films, and edits all of STARSE3D's music videos independently. "Sometimes visuals come to me while I'm creating the song,"
She adds. "But usually, once I finish the track, I start thinking about what kind of visuals could bring it to life. It's intuitive—I try to figure out what fits each song." Her dedication to self-production extends to the stage as well.
"I try to bring what I felt during the recording to the live performance," they said. "I want to recreate that raw emotion and energy on stage while keeping the sound true to the original."
Teaching, Session Work, and Giving Back
Ariel also offers guitar lessons and session work via Fiverr as a way to support other musicians and stay engaged with the music community.
"I just wanted to give back to people who are just picking up the guitar, like I was 13 years ago," she said. "I also do session vocals and guitar work—mostly vocals. People come to me with tracks, and I help them by singing or writing. It's all about helping others the way music helped me."
Like many independent artists, Ariel is self-taught—a badge of honor that reflects their do-it-yourself ethos.
The Reality of Being Solo and Driven
Being fully independent has its challenges. Ariel wears every hat in the creative process: songwriter, producer, editor, marketer, and performer.
"It's not an easy path," she adds. "You have no one to rely on, and you have to do all the marketing yourself. That's probably the biggest challenge—getting people to hear the work, especially when you're on a zero budget."
Even after years of hard work, building an audience remains a challenging endeavor.
"For years, I struggled to find an audience," Ariel said. "But I'm starting to connect with people now, and that's been meaningful."
Recently, STARSE3D entered a Battle of the Bands contest—a potential stepping stone to the type of festival performance Ariel has long dreamed about.
"I came across the competition and thought, 'Why not?' I've always been a fan of Vans Warped Tour and festivals like that. I've always wanted to perform at something on that scale."
The Feeling Behind the Sound
Asked to describe the emotional core of their music—without lyrics, melody, or sound—Ariel doesn't hesitate.
"I hope my music can be an outlet for others, just as it's been an outlet for me," they said. "I want it to resonate with people and help them through whatever they're going through. I hope it brings a sense of nostalgia and catharsis."
And when asked which part of the creative process—lyrics, vocals, guitar, or production—is the most honest version of themselves, Ariel says it's impossible to separate.
"I would say all of it," they said. "It's all connected. A vocal melody leads to a guitar part, which in turn leads to the production. It's all honest because it's all me."
As STARSE3D continues to pour heart, grit, and nostalgia into every song, video, and lesson, one thing is clear—Taylor Ariel isn't just chasing a dream; they're building it from the ground up, piece by piece, chord by chord. Whether it's a raw guitar riff, a self-shot music video, or a message from a listener who finally feels seen, the passion behind the project is impossible to miss.
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