… is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer. After performing as a bass player and backing vocalist in multiple bands in his hometown, Charlie Steady started his official solo career with an emphasis on narrative driven music that spans different genres including Indie, Alternative, Rock, and Alt-pop. With the help of song-writer Seth Craig, Steady recorded his debut album Tenderfoot (2018) and is currently releasing singles for his 2nd album, Magpie (2022).

Charlie Steady is known for his odd music videos, red, yellow, and blue color scheme, and eclectic live performances. In between records he has released the surf rock/indie song „106 Degree Ground,“ the folk/singer-songwriter EP „Long Night’s Moon,“ rock and roll EP „M PARTY,“ and Xmas Alt-pop single „A Very Steady Christmas.“

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„I Want a Biographer“ ist die erste Single aus Charlie Steadys bevorstehenden zweitem Album (veröffentlicht wird’s 2022). Der Track klingt melodisch, harmonisch und ist als Reminiszenz gedacht.

Eine Retrospektive auf die 60er aber auch späten 90er Jahre, „inspired by the late 60’s Art Rock albums like Pet Sounds and SGT. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band as well as late 90’s/early 2000s indie albums like In the Aeroplane Over the Sea and Illinois“, ließ er uns wissen.

Der Song handelt von der Geschichte eines Indie-Musikers, der glaubt, berühmt zu werden, und einen Biographen engagieren muss, um seine Reise in die „Große Stadt“ zu dokumentieren, eine Stadt in der alle Träume wahr werden, vor allem der Wunsch und das Verlangen nach Ruhm stehen im Vordergrund.

Die Story ist musikalisch gut umgesetzt, als Genre hat sich Charlie ein wenig dem Indie-Pop als Basiselement zugewandt lässt aber Nuancen des Art-Pops zu, die hin und wieder durchschimmerte Psychedelic Ansätze sorgen für Abwechslung. Als Highlight zu erwähnen sind aber durchaus die Vocalharmonien die dem Track eine gewisse Einzigartigkeit verleihen. „I want a biographer“ by Charlie Steady, Dream Pop meets psychedelic art to go on a journey.

Charlie Steady is…?

Well, my real name is Seth Craig, and I am from the Central Valley in California. I come from a very musical family (my father and grandfather were gigging musicians), and I have been playing music since I was 8 years old. Charlie Steady is pseudonym/stage name I go by. I tend to be a very shy, introverted person, so the creation of the persona, Charlie Steady, was an outlet to show off my more artistic, extroverted self. As well as exploring a way to connect with other people through music.

Who inspired you to make music in general?

I have a pretty wide variety of songwriters/bands that have impacted me, but I would say a few notable ones are: Brian Wilson, Beck Hansen, David Bowie, Sufjan Stevens, Jeff Mangum, and Paul McCartney.

…and especially to the song „I want a biographer“?

For this song I was really inspired by the late 60’s Art Rock albums like Pet Sounds and SGT. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band as well as late 90’s/early 2000s indie albums like In the Aeroplane Over the Sea and Illinois. These inspirations paired with the idea of creating a song that was a bit theatrical and big sounding were what really inspired me to write this song.

What is your creative process like?

I think a lot of writer’s will roll their eyes at this answer, but I start with a title or concept first; then, the music and lyrics come out of that concept. Weirdly, a lot of the writing happens on car rides, quiet days at work, or walks I take in my neighborhood. Hours spent just thinking about what a song can become. Once I have the concept in mind, the actual recording of the song is very fast for me, but it can be a very lengthy process depending on the track.

What is the most useful talent you have?

I think my greatest strength as a musician and songwriter is creative direction. I am generally the „ideas guy“ and am confident in my ability to create a concept for a song or album and motivate others to contribute and be a part of that process since music is so collaborative.

What do you prefer, a live gig or a studio session?

Since I record these songs in my bedroom, garages, bathrooms etc…, I would definitely say a live gig is my favorite. I think playing original music live really shows what it’s made of, and I love getting the chance to create a different version of recorded songs with the limitations of playing live offers.

When do you decide that a song is ready for a release?

This sounds very cheesy, but it’s when I am able to sit in a quiet room, close my eyes, and have the experience of listening to a song without critiquing it. I get to enjoy the song as a listener and not a producer or writer.

If you could change anything in the past, what would it be?

I would have definitely tried to come up with a better promotional plan for my first album. I am very proud of my first album, Tenderfoot, but I just wish I would have had a plan to get it in front of more listeners.

How do you feel the Internet (especially Social Media platforms) has impacted the music business?

I think it’s a double edged sword. The internet and social media sites have leveled the playing field for people like me who do not have a lot of connections or a big budget to get our music in front of an audience, so in a way they have democratized the music business. However, I think the negative comes in the form of independent artists having to juggle being a content creator and songwriter/musician as well as artists comparing their social media and music metrics to other artists. 

My opinion is that this pressure to constantly push your social media presence does take focus away from the craft, but I also realize that there is a balance to it. I just think a lot of us (musical artists) struggle with that because it’s a very human trait to compare yourself and view things as a competition. Even though music shouldn’t be.

What’s next for you?

Well, I Want a Biographer is the first single for my 2nd album Magpie, coming in 2022, so I am working really hard on trying to make a good sophomore record. I also have 3 more side a/side b singles that will be released in the lead up to the 2nd album. with the newest one coming November 19th. Magpie is a big record because it’s very narrative driven, so I need lots of songs to tell this story.

Photo credits: Bekah Izard