Interview: Band Of The Week - Steve Carlson

Steve Carlson makes what can only be described as adult music. It's a little bit country, a little bit rock & roll – to quote the Donny and Marie Osmond song – with a bit of funk, some R&B, and a lot of soul. His music is a fabulously crafted tapestry of genres, knitted together with Steve's honeyed, passionately emotive, deeply textured voice and phenomenal musicianship.

His new album Groovin’ On The Inside has a country feel to it, although anyone who isn't a fan of country music – like me – won't feel it overpowering them. It's a funky twist of rock with a dash of country smothered in soul.

Steve is a native of the OC, he grew up surrounded by the sounds of soul, folk and the blues and began playing guitar at the tender age of 10. However when it came time to go to college he was distracted by his passion for food and attended the Western Culinary Institute and now has a degree in culinary arts. Food, however doesn't seem to have been enough for this talented and creative man and in the late 90s he began to work on his musical career.

Steve has lived in Portland, Oregon and on the island of Maui in Hawaii, but eventually decided to make L.A. his home, where in 1998 he formed the band Kane with good friend Christian Kane. In 2004 he formed The Steve Carlson Band which has quickly garnered a reputation in L.A. for easily wowing audiences and selling out any venue they play. It's Steve solo material however, that I was most interested in when I approached him to be my “band” for Band of the Week.

His fascinating ability to mix genres, that mellow, resonant, melt-in-your-shoes voice and his awe inspiring instrumental talents combine to make his new album Groovin’ On The Inside a must listen. An intelligent, witty and charismatic man, Steve began by telling me that, at the moment, he was a real media whore. We went on to talk about psychology, anthropology and of course his music.

Groovin’ On The Inside is your third solo album correct? Tell us about this album.

Article Author: A.L. Harper

I'm a writer and music journalist originally from Salt Lake City, but now living in Scotland. I was a Punk/Goth in the '80s and these artistic influences have stayed with me; although a love of Chopin, chamber music, and Spanish guitar would seem to belie this. …

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