$8.99
Sold by music on Tradebit
The world's largest download marketplace
3,251,194 satisfied buyers
The world's largest download marketplace
3,251,194 satisfied buyers
MP3 Steven Calhoun - Swagger
15 MP3 Songs in this album (39:56) !
Related styles: Rock: Garage Rock, Pop: Power Pop, Solo Male Artist
Details:
Steven Calhoun
Swagger
Listening to “Swagger,” Steven Calhoun’s first release is like listening to the best punk bands from the last thirty-five years all rolled into one mad package. Simple three chord, 50s-sounding melodies laden with the occasional screeching, bluesy guitar solos makes for an exceptional group of short, punchy songs that define the term, “no-frills rock.” However, it is the latter half of the album that illustrates Calhoun’s real pop prowess and ability to write more then brash punk songs with rough, shouted vocals. Songs like “Catching Stars” and the dazzling “Fall Down South” are much softer, airier tunes, accompanied by programmed beats, as opposed to the live percussion. On these songs he trades in his abrasive vocals for a quiet, soothing croon that sounds utterly beautiful. I never knew Steven, but I will certainly miss his music. I wish there was a lot more of it.
~ KT Localist Independent Music, Art Literature, and Thought
“swagger” is a collection of songs that Steven wrote between 2003 & 2006. A few songs were recorded in a home studio, but most were done elsewhere- at home or in route to somewhere more interesting. Steven was notorious for changing lyrics & song titles depending on the day. He typed up his songs like a work of art on an old typewriter & then sabotaged every work until it fir his mood. Steven wasn’t much for understatement. He was jukebox lean… svelte machine… swagger.
“a.m. radio static”, “wired on you”, “AK47”, “no time for hornets”, & “every other night” are songs Steven played with the rock city symptom, and recorded in early 2004 at Randy Boyd’s home studio in Little Rock. The rock city symptom: Steven Calhoun – guitar/ vocals, Alan “disaster” Wilkins – guitar/ backup vocals, Jeremy Brasher – bass, & Brandon Markin – drums
“needle exchange” & “alone together” are the first two original songs that Steven recorded vocals on as the “lovely departed. Recorded in 2003 on a r-track in an upstairs bedroom of the mansion – a house Steven shared with friends at 1300 W.3rd St in Little rock. The lovely Departed: Steven- guitar/ vocals and Llyod Benjamin – Bass / drums.
Steven recorded “love on the run” with Queen Cobra at the mansion in 2004. Alan Disaster wrote guitar parts and Steven came up with the lyrics. Queen Cobra: Steven – vocals, Alan Disaster – guitar, Andy Conrad – guitar, Ryan “straw” Britton – bass, and Jon Rice – drums.
“cell blocks” & “your voice” were recorded on a laptop while traveling on an Amtrack train for NYC to Atlanta in the fall in 2005. Steven & Llyod composed all the music on the moving train and improvised the lyrics. If you listen closely to cell blocks, you can hear the sound of the rails under the drum track.
“satellite” and “carolina” were recorded in the bathroom on Steven’s NYC apartment sometime during 2005. “satellite was inspired by Steven’s discovery of Google earth where he imagined that he could spy on cute girls from outer space. “thanks Google earth!” Steven did all the vocals and guitar work.
“catching stars”, “fall down south”, and “way to you” were songs that Steven recorded at home in NYC and was still “noodling around with in January 2006”. “catching stars” is the final song that Steen recorded. In it he sings: “I’m not coming home tonight- so I’ll catch you a star tonight. Steven’s work never made it to the studio for full production.
“ He’s got that ‘swagger’ in his step, like a graceful angel sippin’ from a bottle of Jack Daniels.”
“Swagger is one of Steven’s pseudonyms given to him by friends in NYC for his attitude and in your face style. It was fitting that the first release of Steven’s work would be titled “swagger”. The collection of music found therein reflects the broad range ‘in your face with attitude’ musical transitions through which Steven evolved. “Swagger” includes the very first track Steven ever recorded as well as the last song he “modified” on January 19th, 2006.
“Alone Together” was scored the 2007 film “town craft” which documented the Little Rock Punk Scene.
“Wired on you” has received local airplay in Little Rock.
“Fall down south” was cover by the Memphis band “mouserockit on their album “Pretty Loud” and was used in a HBO move “Hung”
Over all, the 15 tracks included on this CD possess their own unique style... each, an expression of that period in Steven’s life.
File Data