Edmonton-based alt-metal band Famous Strangers has unveiled the official music video for “Deepstar,” a track that represents both the starting point of the group’s career and a significant creative milestone nearly two years in the making. The cinematic video arrives in 2026, long after the song’s original release, closing an early chapter for the band while setting the stage for its next phase.
“Deepstar” was first released in September 2024 as Famous Strangers’ debut single and the first song the group ever put forward publicly. Mixed by Juno Award–winner Phil Anderson and mastered by internationally recognized engineer Maor Appelbaum, the track introduced listeners to the band’s emerging identity—an intersection of heavy riffs, atmospheric textures, and emotionally driven songwriting. The newly released video expands that sonic foundation into a visual narrative rooted in cosmic imagery and symbolism.
Vocalist Amanda Kiernan said the song began from an unexpectedly personal place before evolving into something much larger.
“I started writing this song literally just describing my friend Mileena, how she makes me feel, and how her presence feels in the room. It all came together so perfectly when I added all the space and healing. The world needs a hero, and I put those two together… it just happened, flooding the paper like some epic extraterrestrial being. What’s even better is that she agreed to be Deepstar and be in our video. We are honored and blessed to have her.”
According to guitarist Jeff Kittlitz, the music itself came together quickly and instinctively, reflecting the chemistry of a newly formed lineup discovering its creative footing.
“Deep Star came together quickly and organically. While exploring presets on my new Fractal FM9, I landed on a tone that instantly brought to mind classic Deep Purple and Black Sabbath, and the main riff came together almost immediately. Once I brought it to Beej, the song fell into place fast and gave Amanda plenty of space to write. It was one of the first songs the four of us created together. During recording, the ending evolved in the studio, and we loved it so much we kept it. It was one of those moments that proves the magic that happens when everyone’s locked in. At its core, it’s a straight-up rock song.”
Kittlitz added that the video’s release carries particular significance given how long it has been in development.
“Deep Star is coming. This was the very first song we ever released, and the video has been two years in the making. We’re fired up that it’s finally unleashed. A dark cosmic tale of a woman from space sent to save our doomed souls. Massive thanks to Brad Thompson, Mileena Kombat, and Shade Nightclub for helping summon this beast.”
Formed in 2023, Famous Strangers emerged organically from a collision of ideas and musical backgrounds. Since then, the band has released four singles—“Deepstar” (2024), “George” (2024), “I’ll See You In The Stars” (2025), and “L.S.C.” (2025)—each contributing to a broader and more defined sonic universe. Together, those releases have helped position the group as one of Canada’s more compelling emerging heavy acts.
The band has appeared at major underground festivals including Armstrong MetalFest and Loud As Hell Open Air Festival, and has shared stages with a range of established acts across the metal and hard-rock spectrum. Their emphasis on cinematic presentation, emotional intensity, and in-house production—largely handled by Kittlitz—has drawn attention within Canada’s independent music scene.
The release of the “Deepstar” video also coincides with continued momentum on the live front. Famous Strangers has been selected as local support for Danko Jones at a February 6 show at Sherwood Park Festival Place, just east of Edmonton. The date places the band in front of a broader audience while reinforcing its growing profile within the national rock circuit.
With a full-length album slated for 2026, Famous Strangers appears focused on expanding its sound and visual identity further. The long-delayed arrival of the “Deepstar” video not only completes the band’s earliest creative cycle, but also signals a deliberate step forward—one that builds on its origins while aiming for a darker, deeper, and more immersive future.
