About me
Blackwillow Starling are a Milwaukee-based Pagan acoustic duo. Bandmates Nora Boedeker and Michael Tinker Tierney have decades of experience in national and international playing and performance with multiple projects. Blackwillow Starling use acoustic guitar, bouzouki, ukulele, other folk instruments, percussion, harmony vocals, and insightful lyrics, to reach listeners of Pagan, acoustic folk, and Celtic music.
Blackwillow Starling released their debut album in June, 2024. Multiple songs from the release have cracked both the International Pagan Radio top 20 and The Cauldron top 10 with their song "The Answerer Sword" holding the #1 spot for 2 weeks. "Sun King" and their version of "Wild Mountain Thyme" have also placed in the top 10 charts.
Blackwillow Starling have appeared at Pagan Spirit Gathering and the International Pagan Music Award ceremony. Their 2025 performance schedule includes Paganicon in March, Pagan Spirit Gathering in June, and Starwood in July with more festivals and venue dates to be announced.
Their music can be streamed on every major service as well as on Pagan/Wiccan media outlets such as International Pagan Radio, The Cauldron, CeltCast, Wyldwood Radio, DruidCast, Tarottunes, Musical Conversations, Irish and Celtic Music Podcast, Pagan Artist Spotlight, and Songs of the Pagan Tribe. They are regular contributors to Full Moon Circle broadcasts with Circle Sanctuary.
Nora, a classically schooled vocalist, sings about the elements of the natural world and wonder of spirit. She works with Celtic-based rhythmic patterns and folk stylings in Blackwillow Starling. She finds pure joy in the art of song. Michael “Tinker” Tierney has strong familial Celtic ties, regularly tours and performs live with multiple projects, and enjoys cleverness and outside the box creativity in writing and performing.
Blackwillow Starling are amassing new material for recording consideration in 2025. In their short time together, they have enjoyed making connections with people through spirt and song.
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