An interview with singer/songwriter Steve Young

Steve Young is a singer/songwriter/guitarist with over 20 years experience in the music industry. After years of working with other musicians he released his debut EP in October 2014.  Steve is also our Monthly Music Spotlight artist for December. 

You have recently released your debut EP Little Things. Can you tell me the background behind it and what inspired you?

It’s something I have always wanted to do for years. Amongst many reasons I thought I didn’t have what it takes to write good songs then I changed my format and started with Lyrics rather than music and everything fell into place. These songs are very personal and it doesn’t take a genius to work out whats going on behind the scenes - everyone has a break up experience and I just tried to channel mine into a productive format.

~ You can purchase Little Things EP here http://amzn.to/1vxc7Wl

You have worked as a guitarist, vocalist and co-writer for many well known singers including Darren Hayes, Lizzy Pattinson and Ramin Karimloo. a. What was your most memorable experience?

Definitely hearing ‘Taken By The Sea’ for the first time on Darren’s 2012 Album ‘Secret Codes & Battleships’ I first played Darren the idea for this song whilst waiting in a Green Room before a radio performance in Washington DC. That was in 2007. So it was 4 years of wondering if anything would ever come of it. The result was stunning and is one of my proudest writing experiences.

b. How was that experience compared to performing as a solo artist with your own songs? 

This is something that is quite new to me, and considering the scale of some of the gigs i’ve done in the past, I find it absolutely terrifying. I think its because you own the emotional responsibility of whats actually being said. Before all I had to worry about was getting my parts right and singing in tune - now I have to do that with the added stress of thinking "i’m telling complete strangers about what’s been going in my life". It’s almost traumatic :)

How has working with other professional musicians influenced your own music?

I’ve always worked in a pop genre and have been fortunate to able to see first hand what works and what doesn’t. I always try and make sure my songs fit into a box that fulfils these criteria. Although I also deliberately write songs that don’t just so that I feel i’m doing it for myself too. With professional seasoned artists like Darren Hayes every day is a school day and you learn a lot fast.

What spurred your decision to progress as a solo musician?

Now or Never…. and I got fed up with the lame excuses I would splurge at the end of gigs when people would ask me if I had my own releases. I realised that I had to do it and stop skirting round the issue. I did it purely for myself but happily a few people actually like the songs too.

Tell me more your Christmas charity single Anywhere This Christmas, for Help for Heroes.

It started off as a conversation I had with my Mum and Sister. We were out walking the dogs and they said “you need to write a xmas tune” I didn’t think much of it but then later that day the lyrics just poured into my head and the song was finished by the evening. I recorded it and as soon as I decided to release it I knew it had to be for charity - why else would you do it? My friend, Kev, was in the studio when I finished off the vocals and he suggested Help For Heroes based on the nature of the lyrics. This seemed appropriate to me as my Dad was a Chief Petty Officer in the Royal Navy and was often away from home for very long stretches of time. The song is about working away from home and just waiting for that moment when you get with your family and Xmas can start...

~ Take a listen to Anywhere This Christmas on Youtube here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFRiI25sK6M&feature=youtu.be and download from iTunes here http://itunes.apple.com/album/id941260160 

You are doing a Concert Window online gig on Sunday 21st December. How does it feel to be able to connect with a worldwide audience, some of whom are unable to come to a live show?

It’s amazing but I have my concerns. I am a very ‘Live’ performer and my banter and reaction with the audience is all very much part of my delivery. At the same time Concert Window provides a very easy and convenient way for people around the world to tune in and watch you do your thing without leaving their home. This is especially good for people who can’t actually get easily into venues due to disabilities etc. I am taking it very seriously, we’ve had proper tech runs, we’re dressing the set and making it as much of a real gig as possible. I’m not really impressed with people using it as a chance to slouch around in their PJ’s and sing into their laptop. For me it’s a gig, people have expectations and I imagine I will be trying to visualise a stage to try and get the vibe.

~ To watch Steve's Concert Window gig click here https://www.concertwindow.com/12794-steve-young 

What's your favourite song to perform live and why?

Oh god, I know so many songs, 400+, and different songs have strengths in different situations. It sounds cheesy but I love singing a ‘First Dance’ at a wedding when you can see it really, really means something special to the couple. The responsibility is enormous but it can be such a beautiful moment. I’m hoping that once I get over the trauma of singing my own stuff there will be moments where I feel ‘at one’ with the world but i’m not there yet. I love ‘Love Songs’ - i really can’t say one song but Pink Floyd’s ‘Wish You Were Here' will always be up there at the top somewhere.

If you could only listen to 1 album for the rest of your life what would it be and why?

That changes so often… Dark Side of The Moon, Home Again - Michael Kiwanuka, Secret Codes & Battleships - Darren Hayes, Delicate Sound of Thunder - Pink Floyd - they all have such major roles in my life… i think if I really had to choose one it would be Delicate Sound of Thunder. This was my first ever live gig and the reason I began to play guitar…. hmmm but then there’s EC - Unplugged and Muse….. so many arggggghhhh!!

Growing up, what made you so passionate about music and what influenced you to become a musician?

I’ve always been an emotional person and was bullied and a bit of an outcast at school. I sucked at sport, was tiny until that age of 17 and nothing really seemed to go my way until I picked the guitar up and suddenly I was better than most the guitarists I knew around me, I had an outlet for my emotions and I didn’t have to rely on anyone else to get good. The bullying stopped around then too - probably because I was so absorbed in music I didn’t even notice anymore.

Now that, in 2014, you are a solo artist, what are your plans for 2015?

More of that, I’m not going to keep flogging this, it’s incredibly hard to get anywhere in this industry. Values have changed, programs like X Factor have diluted the market, tastes and the quality of music. Right now the UK charts are meaningless because of Cowell’s strangle hold. He is the vine that killed the beautiful tree. I can’t compete with that. I want to really give it a good go as an artist. If that doesn’t pan out then maybe try and see if some young exciting artist wants to sing my songs instead. Maybe try and nurture some new talent myself. Maybe just grow up and start acting like an adult haha!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

A dad, a cool rock and roll dad, a dad with some future plan, a dad!!

You can follow Steve on Twitter here @steveyounguk

Steve's official website www.steveyounguk.com

Katie ~ 140 Music Promo