STEVEN GRAVES
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
After twenty-four years as a land use consultant first (and a musician second) - Steven Graves made a change. He picked back up the guitar and added singer and songwriter to his current resume.
This journey began in 2009 with his debut CD, Make a New World. The debut album was released in June of 2010 and spent five weeks on the Americana Music Chart, peaking at #241.
With the help of Powderfinger Promotions, the record was added to rotation at over seventy radio stations in the US. The title track, “Make A New World” was heard worldwide on JANGO Radio, where it garnered over two-thousand fans in more than forty different countries. This was all accomplished within the first three months of the song in rotation on the station.
Canadian-American Records, with CEO Joey Welz, signed on Steven to promote his CD to foreign record companies at the MIDEM Conference in France, and also released his hit “Come on Down” on their label.
In June of 2011, Steven released a new EP titled Outside Looking In. For this release Steven teamed up with producer and multi-instrumentalist Dayan Kai and a rock band of highly skilled veteran players. This six-song EP continues to showcase Steven’s talent for combining many genres into a seamless style all his own.
This record was played on nearly forty radio stations by the third week of promotion and has been on the Americana Music Chart since week one. Track two, "Mr. Sunshine," is sure to be a big hit with its smooth Bob Marley-like groove, funky organ, snappy guitar riffs and catchy vocals. "Mr. Sunshine" is the kind of song that gets into your head immediately, and you want it to stay there! The title track, "Outside Looking In" will definitely find you tapping your feet as it rocks along in a Los Lobos/Grateful Dead style groove.
"First Winter Snow" has an epic rock ballad feel, ala Pink Floyd, with moving and powerful vocals, along with its strong environmental message. "Love is Real" is a finely crafted folk rock song with great interplay between the guitar, accordion, and violin.
Steven's unique inspiring sound reflects his roots as a Californian, seamlessly blending elements of rock, reggae, country, jazz and blues with his socially conscious lyrical style. The influences of Dylan, Lennon, Marley, Ben Harper and others, who have infused their music with social and political meaning, echo throughout. The masterful way in which Steven combines the wide breadth of musical styles featured on Outside Looking In propels his message into the hearts and minds of all who listen.
Steven says, “I want to make music with danceable rhythms and inspiring lyrics that speak to people at a deep level. I feel compelled to write songs about core beliefs that define who I am. What does it mean to be a human being in these times? How do we find peace on both a personal and global level? Love for oneself, one’s family, one’s community and the world at large. Can we create a world without war? Can we live in the present and take life on even when there is fear? ” Steven continues to deliver these themes with humility and grace.
Building his career on environment stewardship, Steven and his wife Paddy also built the first LEED (Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design) certified development in the State of California. The both share a deep passion for green building. They have studied yoga, eastern philosophies, and try to live a healthy organic lifestyle.
Steven currently lives in Capitola, California with his wife Paddy Easton Graves, and their two children. He is starting to tour with his band, and also in the studio working on his third CD, which he expects to release in November of 2011. The CD will be entitled, A Matter of Time.
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