STEVE NEWMAN
Questions asked by Jon Wilde, added to Rock Realms 16th April 2010.
The multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter-producer Steve Newman has just released his latest album The Art Of Balance under his "Newman" moniker.
We caught up with him for a chat about that and more...
Hi Steve, thanks for taking a moment to answer these questions. Hope you are well?
Steve: Hi Jon, great to hear from you, I’m doing a lot better now thanks, it’s been a tough few weeks on a personal level but everything is slowly getting back on track.
First of all, congratulations on the new record; The Art Of Balance. Have you been happy with the response to it so far?
Steve: Thank you for your kind comments Jon, it’s been truly breathtaking to have so much positivity surrounding this album. I am always touched by the reaction I get to my albums, it never ceases to surprise me in many ways.
This record has again been released on your own Chrome Dome label. Were you tempted to approach other/bigger labels, or is keeping that final level of control important to you?
Steve: I am a bit of a control freak and, apart from maybe a larger promotion effort, I don’t think labels within this genre can offer me anything more than I can already produce myself. I guess if I was seeing reviews which criticized any aspect of the recording or finished product of these albums I would need to rethink, but fortunately that hasn’t happened.
Are you going to, or have you, released albums by other bands on the label?
Steve: Not as yet, but there is a project I am currently involved with that may well come out under the Chrome Dome label.
You did most of the playing (save drums and backing vocals) on The Art Of Balance yourself. Was there any point when you thought about using more of a ‘band’ for the album’s creation?
Steve: I guess this is my control freak aspect coming into play again haha !!. I only used some additional backing vocalists on the new album, I have used guests in the past, but I like to keep true to the sound I’ve created since the first album. I am intending to collaborate with more musicians on various projects in the future but the Newman album format will largely remain the same.
When did you start working on the new album, and how quickly did the various parts come together?
Steve: Mmm good question. One of the first songs to be written was 'Stay With Me' . We performed that on the John Waite tour last year. But I guess the majority of the album was written around the latter part of 2008 and beginning of 2009. Recording began in June 2009 and finished around October.
Are you continually writing new material, or did you make a conscious decision to sit down and scribe The Art Of Balance?
Steve: Not really, I do tend to sit down and meaningfully write for a new album, although the ideas sometimes take a little while to come through, I don’t like to be forced to write, but some of the ideas for “The Art Of Balance” had been in my head for quite some time. I usually sit down with an acoustic and Dictaphone when I have an idea and just play and sing the basic melody. The song will then get built up from those ideas once I’m ready to record.
Is there a theme to the lyrics on the album, or are they all standalone tracks?
Steve: I suppose there’s a theme running through a couple of the songs, “Hero To Zero” refers to various rock stars who didn’t get the balance right, and “Edge Of The World” really talks about global awareness and striving for balance in the world we live in.
Where do you get your writing inspiration from?
Steve: Many places. Sometimes inspiration will come from either a lyrical or musical idea, or one will inspire the other. I wouldn’t say that I have a particular format for writing songs, it’s all about what feels good and compliments the arrangement. Obviously, I have to think about not only the basic melody, but later on in the process, think about the individual parts to drive the idea forward.
How do think the new album compares to older releases in terms of style and quality?
Steve: I think this album has a slightly heavier feel to it, whether that’s because of the production, I’m not sure, but the songs seem to have more urgency to them. I think it’s my best work yet, until the next one! haha. But I guess every artist believes that, it’s the one thing the drives me on to create further work.
How would you actually describe the ‘Newman Sound’ to somebody who hadn’t heard you before?
Steve: Melodic hard rock with an edge!
Have you tried anything completely different this time round, as in new instruments or recording/mixing techniques?
Steve: I guess the main difference has been the way I recorded the guitar parts. I now use a combination of processors and valve technology that allows me to achieve a better sound overall. When I mix an album I have various set techniques to get the basic sound correct. But each time I record an album it’s such a huge learning curve.
Do you have any favourite parts or tracks on the album?
Steve: Mmm, that’s a good question. I particularly like the atmospheric keys on “Edge Of The World” and for that matter “Endless”. I wouldn’t like to pick out any individual songs over any others, I think this is my most consistent album to date. I am very pleased with the way the recording and sound came out this time around and will be taking a lot of what I’ve learnt onto the next album.
Where did the album’s title come from? Was it there at the start acting as inspiration, or did the name come later in the process?
Steve: The title came around the time I was writing “Edge Of The World” and I incorporated the title into the pre-chorus.
Who created the artwork, and who came up with the concept behind it?
Steve: The cover artwork was created by photographer Lev Dolgatshjov. I think it conveys “The Art Of Balance” on multiple levels. The obvious one being the girl with the outstretched arms in a balanced pose but also seeing the girl and the female form as art. Musically the idea was to balance melody and power.
How is the album doing so far - in relation to airplay and sales?
Steve: It’s the most successful Newman album so far, we have been overwhelmed with the response since 'Endless' (the lead track from the album) was aired on Steve Price’s Rock Show over at ARfm and from that point it’s been very well received.
Any thoughts on doing a video for one of the tracks?
Steve: We were going to shoot a video for 'Endless' not so long ago, unfortunately these plans had to be shelved because of my family issues as you are probably aware. I’m hoping that we will maybe able to do something in the next few months.
I understand you’ve got a few lives dates penciled in. Are you looking forward to getting this new music out on the road?
Steve: Very exciting times Jon. We have just been confirmed for “Cambridge Rock Festival” as well as “Firefest” this year. We are in the process of securing a few more dates which will be announced very soon. I can’t wait to bring this new music out into the live arena, I think we’ll have a very strong show.
Who is in your touring band?
Steve: OK, we have the basis of the same live band we had last year, Paul Boyle (Keyboards, vocals), Nic Lipscombe (Drums, vocals), Neil “Nog” Richardson (Guitar, vocals), and then we have a new bassist, vocalist Dave Bartlett, and myself on Vocals and Guitar.
What’s a Newman stage show like? What should fans expect?
Steve: The band are all great singers and musicians, so everything is played live, with no backing tapes!! You can expect excitement, we like to have fun and keep the mood as light as possible. As for the songs, there will be a good mix and almost every album will be represented.
You run the Blue Room studio in Southern England. Have you got any interesting projects (you can talk about) going on there at the moment?
Steve: I have a project going on at the moment with a good friend and singer who I have wanted to work with for a long time. These songs have been in the pipeline for around 4 years and we are currently recording with a view to release towards the end of the year.
Have you worked on any other recent albums, either on the production or writing sides?
Steve: I recently completed guitars and backing vocals on three songs for Tom Galley’s “Phenomena : Psycho Fantasy 2” project. I had the chance to work with Terry Brock on two songs and Robin Beck on another. That was a great experience, as Terry is one of my all time favourite singers and the song that Robin sings on is nothing short of spectacular!!
Any question you love being asked that I’ve missed? If so, what’s the answer?
Steve: Haha, the answer is Lukather, I guess there could be a prize for who guesses the question!!
What are you up to once you’ve finished answering these questions?
Steve: I shall be going back to the studio, I have much work to do and little time to do it!!
Anything else you would like to mention?
Steve: I’d just like to say thank you to you Jon, for your support, and also all the readers that have supported my music and continue to do so by buying the albums and sending us some great emails. It’s always very touching to be appreciated in this way and on behalf of myself and the band we look forward to seeing you later in the year. We have the best fans in the world Thanks again !!!
Thanks for your time Steve.
Steve: Thanks Jon !!
Thanks again to Steve for his time. You can check out the Rock Realms review of the latest Newman album The Art Of Balance by clicking here.
http://www.myspace.com/newmansound
