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Inspired as a kid after seeing a Prince video. Classically trained pianist but turned guitar crazy. Left hometown Melbourne, Australia for Los Angeles. Attended Musicians Institute. Recorded a Jazz-fusion album but decided to put on hold due to other musical inspirations which became debut album, Human Uniform. Written and Produced by Steve, Human Uniform is a mix of Rock, Funk and Pop, in which Steve plays all instruments and sings all vocals.
Release details coming soon.
Between writing and recording Human Uniform, Steve worked on various musical projects in the US and Asia. Highlights being - writing music for Emmy Award-winning TV and teaming up with one of his idols Richie Kotzen to write "Beautiful Life" for Richie's "Wilson Hawk" record.
Los Angeles shows and Japan Tour details coming soon!.
STEVE McLEOD
Interview by Hans Ebert,.
Chairman & CEO, We-Enhance Inc.
Steve McLeod is one of the finest young songwriters and musicians around.
It's just that no one knows this as yet.
When I first met Steve, it was in Melbourne
What I liked about him was his humility.
He didn't brag, he listened and he took it all in
It was almost as if we was keeping mental notes for a sunny afternoon.
His first few demos were okay songs, but it was the guy's musicianship that got to me.
He was - and is - an exceptional guitarist capable of playing anything.
And all exceptionally well.
He is also one bloody great drummer.
In-between, he can play bass, ukulele, mandolin and nearly any instrument someone gives him.
And he can sing the great music he writes.
Today, Steve has really honed his songwriting skills.
His songs are just as good, if not better, than much of what I hear on the charts.
And though "chart success" means very little these days,
it does serve as some form of barometer.
In a fair world, Steve should be up there selling out gigs and
playing with the best the world can throw his way.
He is a rare talent waiting to be heard.
I am excited for Steve, I am excited 'cos the music is unique.
It s not anything where you go, "it sounds kinda like "
It sounds like nothing else around.
Open your ears, open your mind and then feed your mind with the music of Steve McLeod.
And, when you have, share it with others.
After all, good music deserves to be shared.
And great music deserves to be heard.
This is exactly that.
~*~
WE: The "New Mantra" is "There is more music than ever and more ways to access music." Do you think that this is necessarily a GOOD thing? Or, personally speaking, could there be so much SHIT music "out there" that some gems get buried in all of this?
There definitely are some gems that, unfortunately, get buried. Today, it's the fans who decide what and who they want. All of us just have to get our music out there and then see who likes it or loves it. I do think it's great that today anyone can create music and have so many options for generating awareness and with different distribution channels at one's fingertips. This is especially great for new artists without the backing of a major music company and so have to live and work in a DIY world. With not everyone in the world being fortunate enough to score gigs etc, we need to make our music heard and this can be a positive thing in that it makes one try harder and become singer-songwriter-musician-manager-and marketing guru. If we get paid for our music, that s a bonus.
WE: What are your ten favourite Beatles tracks - and why?
Let It Be - I get chills whenever I hear it...no matter how many times i've heard it.
Strawberry Fields - Lennon's vocal.
Hello, Goodbye - The end fade out and fake out.
Something - Beautiful, beautiful melody, chord progressions...everything about it.
Two Of Us - Nostalgia, so fresh.
Tomorrow Never Knows - If released today, it would still be miles ahead of everything else. And Ringo's drumming and the DRAMA he adds to the track! He s one VERY underrated drummer.
Don't Let Me Down - Soul pours all over the track.
I Need You - George's vocal and guitar. Beautiful touch.
A Day In the Life - One of my favorite opening lines ever and the massive piano ending.
While My Guitar Gently Weeps - Song title, melody, the haunting piano, Clapton's guitar and of course, George's vocal.
WE: Prince was a huge influence on your music. What was it about him that made you do, "Oh, YEAH!"
For me, Prince was a major influence for 2 main reasons. 1. He was my first vision - literally - of a musician that I can remember. 2. He played all those instruments (WELL), wrote, sang and produced. I love to play, whether it be an instrument or in any genre, so to me, in Prince, I heard all this was possible. Also, live, wow, he is INCREDIBLE - very inspirational.
WE: Other than the Beatles, who are you listening to today? Who do you reckon is making music that can come close to what John, George, Paul and Ringo produced? Or is that like asking if there is a new Bruce Lee?
There will never be another Beatles but I think there are some great bands out there.
I've been listening to and loving Richie Kotzen, thenewno2, Dave Stewart's Songbook, Mugison, Justice, Kayne, Empire of the Sun.. Listening back to all the Van Halen stuff, Funkadelic, Miles' Bitches Brew, the Angels, Hendrix' Axis: Bold as Love - always
WE: We all know that "Video Killed The Radio Star," but, do you sometimes think that the i-Pod and all this "new technology: has killed New Artists- and musicianship? It appears, to me at least, that Technology has made anyone who can twist a few knobs and "doodle" on a synth, a "muso." Sure, some of this "ka-doodling" can work towards creating "atmospheric music" for movies and games etc, but has it hurt the PROGRESS of music by reducing it to a low level of creativity? Agree or disagree- and why?
In regards to the i-Pod and new technology: I don't think it has killed musicianship. I just think there are so many distractions now that 'mastering' your craft is not a priority. It really comes down the individual. Discipline gets harder and harder. For me, I am very thankful that studio technology is obtainable for the 'home' user; that's how I got into the studio side of things. Trial and a lot of error. But, without really practicing and working on your god-given skills, there is only so far technology can take you.
WE: Tell me about some of the tracks on this page. How and where and when were they recorded and what are your plans for them? How have your plans for this music changed in, let's say, the last 2 years - or even one year?
SM: The stuff was recorded and mixed at various studios in L.A and Melbourne..I tracked them on my own. I had an engineer come in initially and help mic up the drums or whatever, the 'right' way. But yeah, basically, hit the record button and just go for it.
My plans for music haven't changed much apart from wanting to make more music! The 'pressure' of pushing the envelope to create awareness steals some sleep time as I'd rather be focusing on just the music, but hey...you gotta move with the spin.
The songs are off my album Human Uniform due out in the coming months.
Basically it's a collection of songs that I felt best represented where I was at during the time of recording. The record took a few turns during the process but eventually I said f* it, these are the songs for this record...On to the next.
Also, one thing I did was pay homage to my heros - Kotzen, Beatles, Prince, Michael Jordan. It's scattered over the album - split second moments.
The coffee will soon be available to purchase. Keep checking this page and their main site (www.myspace.com/marleycoffee) for more info and updates.
This is a wonderful product. Organic, fair wage, and environmentally friendly. Also there is a charity aim to the company as well. So, a wonderful coffee for a great cause and a great way to remember Bob Marley, who brought so much positivity to this planet.
Heeeeyyy!!! Great seeing you too babe! I'm doing a few gigs while you're in town so I'll let you know and hopefully you can come down and we can catch up. Tap that! xo
