Dustin Bates is an American singer and songwriter who is best known as the founder of the Starset band. Before his musical pursuits, the Columbus born had a striving career in electrical engineering. He was also occupied with projects and research on automated robotics, vehicles, and other sophisticated technologies.
While Dustin may have switched from his professional career to music, the 38 -year-old has somewhat infused science into his music which he terms cinematic rock music; a blend of electronic, hard, and metal rock. Here’s all we’ve garnered about him.
A Brief Biography of Dustin Bates and his Educational Pursuits
Dustin Bates is one out of four children born to his parents Marifi Bates (mother) and Tim Bates (father) on December 27, 1986. According to records, he was raised in Columbus Ohio, United States alongside his siblings Chrystal Bates, Heidi Bates, and Jay Bates.
Information about Dustin’s early life and family background is limited to the media. Nonetheless, it’s possible that his family has a musical origin as he once stated that he played several musical instruments as a child.
As for his education, he proceeded to the University of Ohio where he attained his degree in electrical engineering. Later, he enrolled in the International Space University and focused on space studies.
In 2005, he furthered his master’s degree at his alma mater and majored in avionics engineering. After this, he started his Ph.D. in engineering but had to quit mid-way to focus on his music interest.
A Look at his Engineering Career Before Switching to Music
According to Dustin’s LinkedIn, he was a teaching associate for about 4 months at the International space university. There, he focused on workshops, research, and experiments. Thereafter, Dustin worked as a research associate at the Air Force Research Laboratory from 2007 – 2009.
In 2010, the Columbus-born was opportune to work in one of the leading technologies. It was his dream to become a well-known engineer in vehicle automation and robotic programs. For a start, he created statistics-based algorithms that helped robots determine locations without the use of GPS. However, everything soon came to a close following his interest in music.
Dustin Bates Switched to Music in 2010
Although Dustin had a striving career in electrical engineering, his musical traits still found him. He revealed in an interview that music has always been a part of him since childhood as he played drums, bass, and guitar but never thought of a career in it.
He revealed that while working on his Ph.D., he got a deal to work with “Epic Records’ in 2010 as a cofounder of the Downplay band, a band that started in 2001. Dustin took the opportunity albeit, he quit within the space of 9 months. Dustin explained that he lost interest when the label decided to focus on pop music which wasn’t his type of genre.
At this time, he contemplated going back for his Ph.D. however, he found reasons to push for a musical career.
He is the Founder of the Starset Society and Band
Following Dustin’s issues with Epic records, he founded the Starset society – a group that explores and promotes science. Thereafter, he started the Starset Band in 2013 as the lead vocalist, keyboardist, and songwriter. With other members like Ron DeChant, Brock Richards, and Adam Gilbert the band released its first album “Transmission” in 2014.
Since then, the band has released 4 studio albums including “Vessel”, “Division” and “Horizons”. They also have over 20 singles & EPs such as; My Demons, Monster, Ricochet, Infected, and The Breach.
Asides from music, Dustin and his crew have also published a graphic novel titled “The Prox Transmissions” in collaboration with Marvel Comics.
Is the Founder of Starset Band in a Relationship?
Dustin is single and doesn’t seem to be dating anyone at the moment. His previous relationships have also remained undisclosed.
However, rumors made waves that he was dating the Canadian singer and songwriter, Avril Lavigne, and their pictures were even photoshopped. He admittedly played along for a while until the rumors went off.
While the singer may have managed to keep his relationship status out of the spotlight, we can’t be so sure that he doesn’t have anyone in his life. It’s possible that he’s keeping a relationship away from the public’s eyes.
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What is Dustin Bates’ Net Worth?
Dustin makes his money primarily as a singer, songwriter, and director of the Starset laboratories, and as stated earlier, he previously had a career in electrical engineering. However, following his venture into Starset, he stated that he took up to $110,000 thousand for the production of his band’s debut, “Transmissions”.
From a number of reviews, the band has since recorded global success. They have generated several million in revenue and views through Youtube and other social media outlets. In addition, they have toured several countries including Moscow, Russia, Italy, and England.
Considering, the band’s success, one wouldn’t be wrong to suggest that the former electrical engineer, Dustin Bates’ is worth at least $1 million.
Although Dustin has long dropped electrical engineering, he has found a way of incorporating scientific and electrical technologies into his music. He has also used his music to promote science. As such, his music has proven to be a great force in the musical world thanks to his inventive styles. While this is one of its kind in rock music, we presume that in the coming years the Starset band will set the track for cinematic rock music globally.
