Artists:Steve Robinson

Steve Robinson

Take someone with a penchant for 60's- influenced melodic pop, played with a 70's folk-rock sensibility; flavour it with a dash of good old 80's-tinged introspection and sense of melancholy. What would you have? Well, you’d probably have a pretentious, nostalgia-obsessed, whiny self-indulgent singer/ songwriter twerp who’s at least twenty years out of date. So, moving along... Originally from Northern England (admittedly a place where introspection and melancholia are quite rampant), Steve Robinson has been writing and performing in the U.S. for the past 20 years. Although currently a solo artist, he spent the better part of the 80's & 90's performing with Florida-based folk-rockers, the Headlights. Lending a little Anglo flavour to a decidedly American band with an obvious affection for the Byrds, Bob Dylan and the Grateful Dead made for a few interesting musical sparks, and the marriage lasted a dozen years or so. Along the way the band shared the stage with the likes of The Band, The Grateful Dead, Steve Winwood, the Ramones, Joe Walsh, the Bodeans, the Smithereens, and the usual drunken harmonica players asking if they could sit in; weathered the collapse of their Nashville-based label on the eve of the release of their aptly titled “Test the Spirit” album, and ultimately took their love of the Byrds to the next level by becoming the touring band of Byrds founder/ frontman Roger McGuinn. Robinson’s relationship with the Headlights proved to be a valuable one, and his exposure to the delights of The Byrds, Gram Parsons et al, coupled with his long-time love affair with The Everly Brothers, fostered a growing fondness for tight harmonies, acoustic guitars, mandolins, harmonicas and the like; sounds that continue to colour his solo folky-pop (or is it poppy-folk?) recordings today. Comments from old friends back in England, concerned about the Americanisation of his sound (“You sound like a bloody Yank who’s listened to a little too much REM”!)are tempered by the insistence of Stateside colleagues that his sound is distinctly English; more musically sympathetic to Morrissey than Stipe. Certainly, a quick listen to the shadowy, often nostalgic references to his homeland in his songs confirm that while his sound bears the musical imprint of living in the U.S. for so long, lyrically he’s coming from a different place. Closer to Neil Finn than Neil Young; rootsy Americana it most definitely is not. Nor is this closet folkie overtly English in the Fairport Conventional sense. It’s apparent that Robinson is straddling two cultures here; one foot in each camp, so to speak, and appears quite comfortable with the arrangement. So, British or American; Union Jack or Stars and Stripes-it’s red, white and blue either way isn’t it? Call it folky-pop; call it poppy-folk; call it poppycock if you must. Just don’t call him a pretentious, nostalgic-obsessed-whiny, self-indulgent singer/ songwriter twerp. Notable & Quotable Received a personal invitation from Willie Nelson for a complimentary, week-long recording session at Nelson’s studio, Perdenales in Austin, TX., after he saw the Headlights win the finals of a National songwriting/ performance competition. After seeing the Headlights open a show for “The Band” in Clearwater, FL., Roger McGuinn volunteered his services as a producer for the band’s 4 song “Earthbound” EP. Appeared on the Tonight Show with Roger McGuinn; subsequent 80+ date tour followed. “The Headlights were extremely tight, providing fine harmonies and giving a bit more of a rock edge to both old and new songs. McGuinn fans took a shine to the Headlights, who played a strong opening set of their own material”-Parry Gettleman, Orlando Sentinel. “The Headlights proved to be an enthusiastic and tight back-up unit. The entire performance was polished and powerful”-Pete Hanrahan, British Byrds Fanzine-“Full Circle” Released full length Headlights album, “Roundhouse” on Meridian Records in ‘93; voted Florida’s Best Pop Band (Florida Jammy Awards) the same year. “Great background harmonies, Connelly’s stinging leads and Robinson’s lead vocals strengthen the mix. Now maybe the major labels will see the light”-Mitch Schafer, Tampa Tribune. “Do you have anything that sounds like Hootie & the Blowfish?”–Major Labels Played first ever solo gig as opening act for Richard Thompson. (Not for the faint of heart!) Recorded full length solo album “Away For The Day” at home (in the foyer) between dog barks & Spongebob episodes. "Each song is a jewel...everything is perfect in an organic/emotional way. I can't praise this enough" -Lord Litter(Cyberstorm Radio) "It's an outstanding achievement from one performer laying down all the tracks and making it gell. I don't know what the magic is, but it's wrapped in it."-Eddie O'Strange(Town & Country Radio, New Zealand) “It’s rare that I’m sent anything at all that warrants a second listen, but his songs are more than worthy contenders. Great acoustic guitar and his singing voice is excellent. I imagine Roger McGuinn must have considered himself fortunate indeed to have found such a sympathetic guitar player and harmonist as a sidekick” -Dave Gregory (XTC) “Steve Robinson has always been an integrity artist who makes great music for the right reasons. He writes and sings songs that are always relevant to any lover of good music; an integrity artist who is able to balance between commercial and artistic visions”-Clyde Brooks (famed Nashville session drummer/ award-winning producer) “I love Steve Robinson’s new CD...great guitar, lyrics and vocals”-Roger McGuinn “Robinson presents some lush and lovely air castles with these creations. I usually don’t listen to anything new more than once; I’m in double figures on “Away For The Day” -John Lomax III "Wonderful songs,delightful surprises,and many brilliant flashes!" -Richard Barone “My daddy records his music in the house and have to turn down the TV. I wish he’d stop” -Emma Robinson (age 7).