LIVE:
Steve Biegner - Vocals, Guitar, Banjo
Julia Suriano - Singing and tambourine shaking
Eric Lee - Fiddle
In the Studio (and hopefully live again soon):
Brian Sloan - Drums
Adam Bach - Upright Bass
Ross "Rolling Thunder" Bellenoit - Electric guitar
Matt Larsen - Piano and organ
Gideon Freudmann - Cello
Dave Chalfant - Guitars, noises, producer, hug giver
Influences
Radiohead, Bright Eyes, Jeff Buckley, Nick Drake, Duncan Sheik, Glenn Phillips, Jump Little Children, Sufjan Stevens, Bjork
Sounds Like
Winter just before Spring - and all that is after.
And this:
THIS JUST IN: As the Orchestra Swells, now available on iTunes! Open up iTunes, access the store, and search for Steve Biegner. Ask to see all the albums and you can purchase either Manic Blue or As the Orchestra Swells (the lights go out). Wow!
AS THE ORCHESTRA SWELLS (the lights go out)
Since the Fall of 2005, Steve Biegner, Adam Bach, and Brian Sloan have been working on Steve Biegner's new album "As the Orchestra Swells (the lights go out)." Now, almost a year later, they are done. They had a little help from Gideon Freudmann who provided the brooding cello and other strange noises; from Matt Larsen who played some sweet piano and organ to some tunes; from Ross Bellenoit of the Systematics who played a sometimes angry, sometimes soothing guitar; and from Erin Cleary who gave us her beautiful voice and her beautiful artwork.
Dave Chalfant produces this new record, and he expertly captures the organic sound of the acoustic instruments as well as the intensity the trio has during live shows. He knew when to say "enough," on tracks such as the sparse "Onward! to Purgatory!!" And he also knew when to say "more" like with "Prodigal Son" or "A Window, a Vault..." which are big, grand, and lush in their orchestration. He also knew when to say, "Is anybody hungry?" and yes, feasts did abound!
All in all, the trio is very happy with what has become "As the Orchestra Swells (the lights go out)." They all hope that you "drink a dream so heavenly, God pines for your revery.
STEVE'S BIO
By the time Steve Biegner was 15 he had played at the Iron Horse, played with Stephen Kellogg and the Nields, and was on his way to releasing a solo album which would be Manic Blue. He had started out playing tambourine and egg shaker in his older cousin's band Smokejumpers, and soon moved on to accompanying his cousin's piano playing with guitar, sometimes drums and lush harmonies. Steve started noticing that a lot of his songs were becoming the crowd favorites. So when he turned 17 he released Manic Blue, some wintersoft basement songs that showcased his mature composition style and his soaring voice.
Steve played with Stephen Kellogg for a few shows at various colleges picking up fans along the way. He also played with the Nields after winning the title of Pioneer Valley Idol after singing Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" and ultimately sealing the deal with his own song "Circle Song" which showcased Steve's impressive range, starting very low eventually soaring into a high, strong falsetto that made some sopranos jealous.
Steve spent a while playing shows and garnering some attention, then turned to writing again. He met up with Adam Bach and Brian Sloan who became his upright bassist and drummer respectively. Steve jumped at the chance to arrange for more than just his voice and guitar and piano. After months of rehearsing and playing out as a trio, Steve decided it was time to make a nice record.
In September of 2005, he went into the studio with Dave Chalfant and recorded several songs, 14 of which came out almost a year later on "As the Orchestra Swells (the lights go out)," the just-ripe fruits of his recording endeavors. Some songs are hushed and quiet - just Steve, a guitar, and a couple of room mics. Others, like the grand "Prodigal Son" are big, lush works that feature string quartets, banjos, baroque style vocal harmonies, and a wall of guitars.
His music is reminiscent of Jeff Buckley; Jump, Little Children; Bright Eyes; Sufjan Stevens; and Nick Drake. Steve is inspired by all of these artists as well as Radiohead, Bjork, Tom Waits, Regina Spektor, Igor Stravinski, Steve Reich, Woody Guthrie, Johnny Cash, and many, many others.
GET THE NEW CD at www.cdbaby.com/cd/biegner2. Just copy and paste that link and CD Baby will ship you a CD within 24 hours! You can even write a review and browse a ton of other artists that sound like me. Zany!
SOME FUN QUOTES!
Steve Biegner is an American original. He has it all... great chops, visionary songwriting and a voice that can slay dragons.
Nerissa Nields
...a blend of Nick Drake and Jeff Buckley, Steve Biegner is going places.
Local Buzz Magazine
...one of the Pioneer Valley's most impressive young songwriters...
Greg Saulmon
"steve's music shakes you out of your shackles, and catapults you into a state of aural revelation..."
-thunder (a.k.a. Ross Bellenoit)
Here's a music video of "Onward! - to Purgatory!!" made by a Super Fan.
Hey thanks for adding me. I appreciate the support. I like your music. Keep it up. Come check out my songs. Feedback is appreciated. If you like what you hear, help spread the word. Thanks.
Hope you're well...just dropping by - doing a bit of myspace surfing. - everything looking good here...you have taste.
There's a fair bit of news from this side - the dark poets film 'Borderline' is being used in Beijing to promote the London 2012 olympics...so that's a bit of a coup. Also - the Gary Lucas Vs The Dark Poets album is doing well...We're currenlty underway with production of music videos - so watch this space! Judgement at Midnight is now officially the most downloaded tune from the some bizzare double album on iTunes.(and all other download sites including beatport, amazon mp3 etc etc)
Also - Gary Lucas has come out to show his political support - and guess who it is...check youtube. com for 'THE DUTELS' (Gary Lucas)
So If you havn't grabbed your copy or download already - make sure you check it out....please email us with regards your thoughts...
I hope things are good on your side of the screen
Things are good here - currently writing and recording new material - we'll let you know as soon as this new stuff surfaces...
either ways - hope you're well - take it easy
J
The Dark Poets
OUT NOW!
Gary Lucas Vs The Dark Poets
"Beyond The Pale".
SBZ082CD
Featuring 34 Some Bizzare Artists - The Compilation album.
An excellent companion to the original "Some Bizzare Album" - SBZ 101 CD OUT NOW (re-released). OUT NOW!
Some Bizzare Records:
SOME BIZZARE DOUBLE ALBUM - "THE ONLY FAILURE IS TO CEASE TO TRY" Featuring 34 Tracks by underground artists
"Some Bizzare Double Album" Featuring Gary Lucas Vs The Dark Poets - "The Judgement at Midnight"
Thanks Steve Biegner for being on my friends list, love the page great stuff. I’m so blown away by all people that have joined me on Myspace. The support and positive comments about the music and the new CD "Abstract Man" have been great and appreciated. The track "Only In America" hit the air this month and so fare it’s a hit with all that have heard it, I’d like to let you know about the free MP3 giveaway as a token of my appreciation for being on my friends list. It’s available at www. tomfullerband. com Hope you have a great summer with lots of good music for sitting in the sun. Thanks again, Tom
hey. i uploaded the pics of you guys...most of them are blurry but there are a few of them that arent...but even the blurry ones are good...i also took a video of you guys talking about brownie sundaes...lol i think i put it on youtube i'll send you the link when it uploads
When is your next performance at the space?! I haven't seen you there for a while...we miss youuuuuuuu.
Also, as the nice weather comes and the days are getting warmer your cd is a perfect accessory to the windows being rolled down and me singing at the top of my lungs :) i love it.
haha. thanks. i would love to be able to do a show again soon. where do you think would be a good place to look? i live in plymouth, ma but im willing to drive where ever.
OK so here is the thing... Me and Amanda miss you two. We haven't seen either of you in forever (Or heard from you). Steve, for a lil while you got better at it, but truth be told you still suck at face book and myspace. But we guess we wont hold it against you... too much. lol
SO I have developed a plan to solve this dilemma!
Here is whats gonna happen.. you two lovely people are gonna have top play a show at the space!
Good job last night! You two are great. =] It was my friend's first time seeing you and she loves you. I think she'll be going with me to see you from now on. <3
Hey Steve! I'm excited that you're gonna have a performance in Norwood...Maybe I can finally make one. Hope all is well and I'm sure the music making is amazing as always!
Hola Esteban y Julia. Again, excellent show last night. You guys just may be seeing more of me at your shows... I'll be trying to make that PACE show for sure.
Oh I just remembered, I don't think I have ever told you this Steve. Did you know that I went to elementary school