We had the chance to interview the uber awesome Mr. Steve from SteveSongs this past week and boy did we get more than we bargained for! Or wait, HE got more than HE bargained for! Either way it was a laughable match made in heaven that gives you real insight into the man behind the "red shirt."
He's charming, smart, funny and most of all-- he is grounded. EXACTLY who you want your children dancing around with singing songs about shapes and reading with! PBS did RIGHT by us parents!
Stay tuned for part two, "Mr. Steve The Sequel" the continuation of our fantastically interesting interview next week! You'll find out more about Mr. Steve-- and even a peek into his own "personal goals" that will have you all misty eyed when you hear about the song he wrote for and with his kiddo.
But save that wadded up Kleenex you just pulled out of your sleeve, here's some funny back and forth from Interview part UNO!
Mac Kid : Hello Mr. Steve and thank you for the opportunity to pick your brain a bit! We here in Pittsburgh look forward to your visit and plan to wear big, bright sombreros at the show to have you “notate” our location and give us the official, Mr. Steve nod so that we can feel uber important? Does that work for you?
Mr. Steve: Claro Que Si. (where are the accent marks on this keyboard?)
Mac Kid : I had to google that, you know. FIRST QUESTION!
Mr. Steve, give us the lowdown. How many red shirts do you officially own?
Mr. Steve: 19.
Mac Kid : Are you tired of red yet?
Mr. Steve: Almost.
Mac Kid : Will you ever kick it up a notch, with say, sequined red for special events?
Mr. Steve: What a coincidence - I'm bedazzling one of my red shirts right now. I was a little hesitant about such a bold look but you've given me new resolve with your timely suggestion about it.
Mac Kid: I was just kidding Mr. Steve. ( ahem) So annnnnyyways… How did the “red shirt” come to be Steve!? Do tell!
Mr. Steve: oh, right… yeah, I was just kidding too.
Speaking of just kidding, the red shirt was a suggestion from Santa Claus! There I am at the mall when St. Nick pulls me aside and says, "Steve, I like what you're doing. The tunes are catchy and educational - but you need a recognizable, consistent look. A brand visual if you will. How about red?" I figured, Santa does pretty well - I should pay attention. I respectfully decided against his advice to add fluffy white cuffs.
Mac Kid : I think black n gold woulda been a nice touch… but that's just me.
Hey Mr. Steve… do you think in “song?” Does every moment offer the option to run into a “could be song” and if so, doesn’t your brain get tired!? I’m imagining, potty training blues. Feel free to use that as a song option on your upcoming full length album.
Mr. Steve: No, I don't technically think in song… yet. But yes, most every moment is a possible "could be a song" moment. My brain does not get tired because it copes with this potentially exhausting problem by conveniently and rather quickly forgetting any song idea (lyrical or musical) that I don't write down or record. I can't tell you how many times I've come down the stairs looking for my hand held recorder with my hands over my ears as my son plunks out notes on the piano and my wife sings along to the Ipod in the kitchen. I can't tell you because it's personal.
Mac Kid: Well since you're sharing personal stuff. What is your most favorite SteveSongs tune and why? It’s like picking your favorite child. You know you have one. We won’t tell. ( fingers crossed)
Mr. Steve: My favorite song is ******** **** and I like it because ** ****** *** *****.
I appreciate your discretion.
Mac Kid: * buttoning up the lip, throwing away the key*
What music influenced you growing up? Who did you look in the mirror and pretend to be as a young child? I pretended to be Madonna. I know that’s obvious from my interview style. British. That comes across right? I’m thinking either KISS or Bon Jovi for you? Or maybe John Denver? I’m bad at this stuff. :)
Mr. Steve: Close guesses. Let's see, I'll try to pick out some key influence-rs for me chronologically:
School House Rock, Glen Campbell, the Muppets, the Monkeys, James Taylor, Men at Work, Crowded House.
That takes us up through the first week of my life - you can probably project the artists on the taste curve from there.
Mac Kid: Crowded House! Nice! I feel "Something So Strong--" about this next question.
Mr. Steve-- how does one balance a life on the road, in the studio etc. What’s one key tip you have for parents who are desperately trying each day to balance demands, family and personal dreams.( ME ME ME)
Mr. Steve: Well it turns out that's the secret to life isn't it? balance. I've actually been wanting to write a song about balance. It's so neat to think that once you find that balance on a two wheeler bike, you know what it feels like and you never forget it. I think it's a nice lesson for kids to realize that while working hard and strong and fast can be effective, there are times that balance is more important. Like when a kid learns to throw a Frisbee - if they try to whip it as hard as they can, it won't actually go far at all - it will most likely curve and crash right into the ground. Finding the balance, the right flight angle, the best release technique and then the right amount of muscle behind it is what will give you your furthest throw.
As a grown up it's also helpful for me to think in terms of balance metaphors.
Life is like a bike ride up a steep hill. WILL THIS GUY EVER QUIT WITH THE METAPHORS?! (that was my wife typing… as I was saying). You can put your head down and pedal as fast and as hard as you're able. At times that seems like the only way to reach the top without falling, but then you've missed everything on the way up and in this metaphor the top is the end. Sometimes it's better to get off and walk the bike for a while. It's certainly healthy to know that it's an option. My wife really helps me to see the importance of getting off the bike periodically.
I think that one of the biggest things that has helped us in our challenge to find balance is our ability to work inside a modest budget. We'd prefer a bigger house and a newer car for instance, but by not maxing out our budget, I don't have to take every show that I'm offered. I have more control over where I go and when. And in this business, that can be the difference between spending enough quality time with the family or feeling like you're missing everything at home.
Mac Kid: Mr. Steve that's some serious reflective talk right there. You're like YODA. We love us some YODA talk here at Mac Kid! Been,what fun this interview has. Yessssss. You're genuine nature resonates with this momma. * High Five!* What else do you have hiding in that head today!? WAIT--DON'T ANSWER STEVE! Save that for PART TWO of our interview. STEVE THE SEQUEL. Last question, What RESONATES with you the most, when you’re at a show ---- and up on stage, other than the momma in the sombrero singing off key?
Mr. Steve: Thank you - this has been very fun for me! As I mentioned before - I really enjoy connecting with the kids at live shows and I also like to think that the shows are entertaining and amusing for the grownups too. But there's one thing in particular that resonates with me much more now that I'm a parent. I now see parents enjoying the experience that their kids are having. I never really noticed that before. But I know the feeling personally now of wanting so much for your child, that when you see them having an important moment it fills you right up.
Something that has always resonated with me are the funny things that kids say during shows. For instance at a concert I had in VA a 6 year old girl came running up to the stage and said "You're better than princesses" which I took as a great compliment - then I caught a glimpse of a boy who had heard the comment and he looked at me as if to say, "princesses?sorry, but that's not really saying much".
There are funny things that kids say at every show. I usually put a 'Quote of the Month' in my newsletter that I send to families. But I won't tell you here any more of the hilarious comments that I've heard over the years. You'll just have to come to the show on Sat Oct 22 at the Rex Theater to hear for yourself. How's that for promotion?
Visit www.rextheater.com for more info and to order your tickets! One show only, general admission and a SWEET deal on pricing! There's even a 4 pack family ticket discount! They're goinna sell out and you'll be sad you missed out. Those are my words, mark em! Check out Steve at www.stevesongs.com or find him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/stevesongs!
