Musician Steve Carlson - Takes Time To Shine In London

Singer/Songwriter Steve Carlson will be bringing some Los Angeles sunshine to light up London this April. Embarking on a mini European tour, Carlson will be performing his own particular brand of rock in Berlin, Edinburgh and at two of London's well-known live music venues: the Underbelly, Hoxton and The Half Moon, Putney.
 
Carlson's no stranger to gigs in the capital and always enjoys his visits."I love the fact that there's still a great appreciation for good music in London. I find myself drawn here in many ways, it's difficult to explain why. I guess I feel like it's the birthplace of rock and feel at home here."
 
But feeling at home doesn't make Carlson complacent. He puts a lot of effort into keeping his shows fresh. "I always come back with a different show. I've played with a full band and at other times played completely alone. I guess it's not fair to fans who want to come back for the same experience but if I don't challenge myself and do something that turns my spirit on, I feel like it would translate to the audience."
 
One part of creating that challenge is selecting the songs to play on the night, so what will he be performing on this tour? "I have a huge catalogue of music so that's a tough question. I have a few standards like 'Wasted Jamie' and 'Piñata Novia' that I feel an obligation to play, mostly because they're the ones from which I commonly get the best response, but like I said, I try to mix it up each time I perform.
 
"Last time I was in London I did a two-night chronological set list starting with my earliest releases to my latest. That was fun for me and I think the fans who have been listening for a long time enjoyed it as well."
 
The fans are an important aspect of a gig for Carlson and he's noticed differences between playing in the UK and LA. "I think there's more excitement when I play overseas. There seems to be an energy in the room that feels almost like a heightened level of anticipation. Quite possibly it's because I don't play as often in the UK or because some people have travelled over from other countries so they've had some build up to the evening. I enjoy feeding off of that and seeing the smiles when the music finally starts. It makes me remember why I started playing and also why I continue."
 
He sets himself little challenges throughout his gigs too: like encouraging everyone to stand up and get dancing, as well as singing along with him. "If there's a band up there with me, the dancing generally happens within the first measure of music but if I'm sitting on a barstool playing my guitar and enjoying the intimacy of the room, I often save it for the last few songs. It's kind of a vibe thing.
 
"I think the singing makes the whole experience a bit more interactive. It also just feels good. There's a nice warm fuzzy feeling that happens when something you have written is heard, memorised and recited back to you in melodic form. It's honestly sort of euphoric."
 
But the evening doesn't stop with the music. "I'll be doing a signing for at least one of the performances on this tour. When I'm meeting new people and catching up with those I've met before, the conversation starts and it usually isn't a short night. I don't mind though because I love people watching and people listening. I find it inspiring.
 
"But if I have to be up early the next morning, it's difficult because it's kind of all or nothing for me. I don't like to come out and just do a few songs. I'm sometimes disappointed if I haven't broken a sweat which is why I like headlining.
 
"Doing a thirty minute set doesn't even get the adrenaline flowing, the voice where I want it or my energy level where I like it. I think every entertainer wants to feel accomplishment and some sort of exhaustion. I mean, after all, now-a-days and with certain circumstances, it isn't easy for everyone to go out to a concert. Gotta give 'em what they paid for, right?"
 
With that attitude, be prepared for a substantial evening of rock and emotional ballads. Somehow, you just know everyone will be leaving Carlson's concerts lit up and beaming…
 

Steve Carlson's current album is Plugged Into London. Checkout http://www.stevecarlson.com for more information.
 
Carlson's European tour dates are:
17/04/12 Edinburgh, Sneaky Pete’s
20/04/12 London, Zigfrid von Underbelly of Hoxton
21/04/12 London, The Half Moon, Putney
25/04/12 Berlin, Germany, Privatclub
 
Free samples of Carlson's songs can be heard here.

Image credit: Image 2 - Ray Andrews