The much anticipated debut album from Ryan Star is slated for a May release.  The album will include Star's song 'Last Train Home,' which first appeared on the P.S. I Love You sound track.  He also selected this song to be the first single from the album. This was a choice that only seemed natural, according to Star's comments in a recent interview with Alternative Addiction. "From the day I wrote it I knew it was something special," said Star of the song.  "The story and emotion that I'm singing with, and the modern production I put on the record - I thought it was the quintessential track from 11:59."

The album will also feature the songs, 'Right Now' and 'This Could Be the Year' which have also been featured on Alternative Addiction.  Star attributes the diverse sound of the album to his collaboration with producer Matt Serletic."He's kind of more of a pop guy, and I come from more of an indie rock place. We got in the same room and bumped heads and made this music," explained Star.

Serletic is known best for his work with Matchbox Twenty, producing all four of their albums, as well as Rob Thomas' solo effort.  Star worked his way through the indie ranks as part of the band Stage, and later as a solo artist in New York City.  Star says he felt their clashing backgrounds helped bring out the best in each of them.

"I have listened to a bunch of Matt Serletic records and he's never done anything that sounds like this," explained Star.  "I didn't go to him to get the same old. I went to him because I thought he was different enough for me that he would bring what he brought to the table and I would bring what I brought to the table, and that's exactly he did."

11:59 also marks the first album that Star has done with other musicians playing on the album, something Star says he's rarely done."Records that I have done in the past, even with Stage sometimes, I would play all the instruments on the album," Star explained.  "This was a collaborative effort. I got musicians that I grew up loving, and for me it was really cool because I was able to let go of these things."

Star also said that he hopes to release the entire catalog of material from his old band Stage in the near future, including some unreleased material the band recorded before they broke up."The thing with Stage is, it's on our own independent record label, and [to get it released] is not the easiest thing. But we are going to get it released."

Star said that a tour with his old band mates was something that he would love to do after he's finished duties touring behind this new album.
"A side dream of mine would be, after I am done with this run for 11:59, to maybe do a Stage tour, even if it's just a week of shows. Just get the band together and do it."

Star is slated to play an acoustic show in New York City for a live taping this weekend. After that, he's off to LA to begin shooting the video for 'Last Train Home.'  A spring tour in support of his upcoming release is expected to begin in March, kicking off at SXSW in Austin, TX.

With all that Star has to look forward to in 2009, you might think that he would be a bit distracted by all that's on the horizon. However, he insists that he's just living in the moment. "That's why the album is called 11:59. We're just focusing on moments right now."

Listen To Alternative Addiction’s Interview with Ryan Star