Steven Alvarado: News

Hi everyone!

I have exciting news! I will be broadcasting my upcoming show in Boston LIVE on the internet!

This is a private invitation-only House Concert in Boston on Saturday, January 21st, but you can still attend by watching it live!

I will be posting the links where it can be seen as soon as I have all the info. Those of you on Facebook can watch it there. Just log on and go to my Facebook page. If you haven't friended me yet, why not? Don't be shy.

Keep checking back for more details. For now, this is what I know:

Live from Boston
Saturday, January 21st
8PM
Log on to Facebook and go to my page to watch.

More news later!

Hi everyone,

Well, another year is coming to an end and I feel I should write something. It's Christmas Day here in New York City. 2011 has been an unusual year for me. Slow progress, and lots of changes all at the same time. I finally got back in the studio to continue work on my new album. I've been writing a lot and the songs seem to just roll out with no effort. Yet, I have long gaps between writing and just seem to wonder around New York City aimlessly and take in the beauty like some sort of tourist. I've lived here 10 years and I'm still in awe of this city.

In contrast, America seems to be falling apart. The politicians are crazier than ever and they make me worry about my country. They truly frighten me. The war that George W. Bush started in Iraq is finally over and I am very happy about that. I only wish we could end the one in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Bush continues to live free and go unpunished for his crimes against humanity and it is unlikely he will ever be prosecuted for those crimes.

I have some big plans for 2012 including releasing my new album and look forward to an exciting year. The world is changing and all the protests around the world including in America with the Occupy Wall Street movement are pushing that change to come faster than ever.

These are troubled times we live in and I have mixed feelings about these unsettling days. All I can say is that hope matters. That's all you have in this world. It's all I have. I do believe the world gets better, and so do we. I'm a strange mix of being an optimist and a pessimist at the same time. I wish I could give you more than that, but that's all I have for now.

One last thing. Maybe the world is falling apart, maybe not. People have said that through all the ages. Just love someone. That's really all that matters. Find someone. Fall in love. Love is all that matters.

Enjoy the Year in Review video that Google put together, I think it's really great. The music is by an artist named Mat Kearney. I don't know him but it's a nice song.

Cheers,

Steven

Steven on the Brooklyn Bridge

Oh New York City, I never get tired of you. You've been so good to me.

Very sad day. As a user and lover of all Apple products, I truly appreciate the impact that Steve Jobs had on the world. So sorry he had to leave us so soon.

Hey all,

 

I’m considering the idea of performing some House Concerts!  Do you want to host?  Email me and we can discuss.  I am specifically interested in the following areas for now, but am open to others:

 

In or around Boston, the Connecticut coastal towns, Philadelphia, New York City, DC, and Baltimore.  If you don’t know what a House Concert is just read below for more info.

 

Thanks!!

 

-Steven

 

What is a House Concert? 

The definition's flexible, but generally, it's a show that's presented in someone's home, apartment, or a nearby private space.

• The audience capacity is usually from 20 upwards.
• The money collected usually (but not always) goes straight to the performers, with no "profit motive" on the presenter's part other than the joy of hosting a wonderful night of music.
• House concerts are usually conducted by invitation-only, with audience members making a donation rather than members of the public buying tickets. This is very important as it gets around the need for a license.
• Unless there is a large audience performances are usually done without a sound system.
• The concert can be a one off or part of a series.

 

What does a House Concert need?

It is much like throwing a party but with a few important extras:

1. The performers need a space to perform, typically in a living room.

2. The audience need chairs and room to move in and out during the evening without disrupting the show. Cushions on the floor will be fine for the younger members of the audience.

3. Food & Alcohol can be served but this is optional.

4. Parking for your guests.

 

The Performers

The format for the show can be flexible. It could be a solo performance, a double bill, headliner plus opener - whatever you want. Acoustic shows work best.

Many well-established performers are happy to do House Concerts and can often fit them into their touring schedule when they have a free night.

The Money

Performers need to earn a living but are not expecting to get rich! Remember you are not selling tickets but are asking for donations which have a recommended amount, typically $10. This will go to the performer as this is how they earn their living.  This is a private party and not a public concert. Everyone in your home is an invited guest.

The Audience

To start with your audience will be family and friends. If you do a series of good concerts then word of mouth will increase your potential audience.

You should decide on a realistic capacity for the room and get people to make a reservation as you need to know how many are coming. Ask people to cancel if they can’t make it so their place can be given to someone else.

Ask people for their e-mail addresses so you can build up a mailing list.

Refreshments

This can be simple or elaborate, it’s up to you.  To keep it simple, just ask each guest to bring a bottle of wine.  If you have the time and energy, make it a potluck.

Performers will appreciate being fed so check on any dietary requirements they may have.

The Show

It’s your house and your show so if you have any particular requirements you should discuss them in advance with the performers. A typical format for a concert would be to start at 8:00pm. Use the first half-hour for guests to mingle, then a 30 to 40 minute set by the artist. Take a twenty-minuet break for more mingling, refreshments, restrooms, etc, then a second 30 to 40-minuet set finishing around 10pm.

It’s good to have a person to welcome everyone and introduce the performers when the show is about to start to get everyone’s attention. If you aren’t comfortable doing this yourself ask a friend.

After the show please remember that the performers may have had a long journey and have worked hard. They may not want to party late into the night if they have another show and a long drive the next day.

Most important of all: a House Concert is meant to be fun!

The tracking session went great! Here is some teaser footage for you...

Hi folks,

Well I'm headed back to the studio in about a week to continue work on my long-delayed new album. And that's all I'm telling you for now! But I'm excited about the final turn in direction.

More later...

-Steven

Tonight I played my last Happy Hour show of the summer at Tenth Rail Bar! Thanks to everyone who came out to the shows! It was a great run and it's been a good summer! I'll be back there at the end of September. In the mean time keep checking back for other shows. I'll be announcing some new dates at other venues. Thanks all!

-Steven

Exciting News!

My music video It's For You has been included in a video-collage art installation at the Leslie/Lohman Pop Up Gallery in Soho (26 Wooster Street). It comes on right after Pete Townsend.

The exhibit starts August 6th and runs until August 25th. I attended the opening reception and it was a full house. It seemed like all of New York City turned out!. As a musician, I never thought my work would be in a New York art gallery! How cool!

-Steven

Hi all,

My summer residency continues at Tenth Rail Bar every Thursday. If you are in the city stop by and say hello!

Steven

Hi all,

I got mentioned in Sonic Scoop! It's a very important music industry news site based here in New York City.


Steven Alvarado Signs with Imagem Music Group/Rescue Records Share | June 28, 2011 by David Weiss

New York City singer-songwriter Steven Alvarado announced that he recently signed an exclusive co-publishing deal with Imagem Music Group/Rescue Records in Los Angeles.

Alvarado previously managed Dubway Recording Studios for eight years while maintaining his songwriting career.

The deal aims to place Alvarado's songs from his last two albums Let it Go and The Howl Sessions in a wide variety of television shows, commercials, and major studio films.

Imagem Music Group is a Dutch company and is the worlds largest independently owned music publisher.


click image

The Empire State Building celebrating the gay pride colors.

Hi all,

I have to say, I really love this city. I've lived in a few places and have never felt this way about any other place. New York is such a wonderful place to live. It can be hard, and harsh, but also so amazing. The kind of life you can have here is so wonderful. Watching the sail boats drift by along the Hudson River while laying on the grass in summer is all I need. But there is so much more. The art installations all around the city, the farmers market in Union Square, the fresh flower vendors everywhere, the impromptu protests where thousands will gather at a moments notice to tell whatever politician to go to hell, Central Park, SoHo, Greenwhich Village, world class restaurants, great theater, live music, Shake Shack in Madison Square Park, and the beaches, my god the beaches!

June is Gay Pride month and New York City is where it all started in a little bar in Greenwich Village more than 40 years ago. After relentless harassment from the police for no reason, gay people stood up and had enough. They rioted and fought for equal rights. More than 40 years later gay rights have spread around the world and New York City throws a big party every June to celebrate. And this year, in a historical move, the NY Senate passed gay marriage this Friday, right before the annual gay march.

There is too much hate in the world. Let's all spread a little love for a change. No more bigotry. We are all human beings. We are all the same. Don't let your religion or your beliefs get in the way of that. Bigotry disguised as righteousness is the worst kind of bigotry.

All my love...

AA Bondy is one of my favorite artists. Please enjoy!

Come join me for some songs & drinks @

Tenth Rail Bar
413 10th Avenue
New York, NY 10001
(Corner of 10th Ave & 33rd Street)

All dressed up, headed to a friends Birthday Party.

Hello everyone,

I have some exciting news! I'm spending much of my summer in New York and I will be playing at Tenth Rail Bar, most every Thursday, all summer long! It's my new summer residency!

I've never done a residency before but I'm looking forward to a weekly show here at home. It's the Happy Hour time-slot and I'm doing three shows each night! 5pm, 6pm, and 7pm.

I'll be doing songs from Let it Go, The Howl Sessions, and Bleed, along with some new stuff. I may even throw in some songs from Mercy!

If you are coming to New York for a visit, join me for songs and drinks and be sure to say hello! Just keep checking the TOUR DATES section for current info, and make sure to sign up for the mailing list!

-Steven

Hi all,

If you are going to be in New York tomorrow I will be playing during Happy Hour at Tenth Rail Bar in Manhattan. I'll be doing three 25 minute sets. First set at 4:30, then 5:30, then 6:30.

See you there!

Tenth Rail Bar
413 10th Avenue
New York, NY 10001
(Corner of 10th Ave & 33rd Street)

Bob Dylan turns 70 today, holy cow! Dylan might be the most influential artist of all time, for generations to come—a true icon. I know that my songs are a direct reflection and ripple of his influence. Happy Birthday Bob, and thanks for everything.

-Steven

Hi all,

I have exciting news! Now that the contract is signed I can make this public. I just signed a music co-publishing deal with Rescue Records/Imagem Music Group. They are the worlds largest independently owned music publisher! They specialize in song placement for TV & Film and work with every major television network. What does this mean? It means after a few months you will start hearing my songs in a wide variety of TV shows and Films!

-Steven

Steven Alvarado with Aaron Smith, Central Park 2011, New York

Hi all,

I got to spend the week visiting with my old friend, poet Aaron Smith. We snapped a photo of us in Central Park on the way to his reading in the East Village. Aaron left New York a couple of years ago to teach at a university. If you don't know Aaron's work you're missing out on one of the great writers of our time. His current book Men In Groups is out right now along with his previous book Blue on Blue Ground and he has a new book coming out in 2012.

Just click the images below to get the books.

-Steven

Hi all, here's another new song! Hope you enjoy!

This Time
Words & Music Steven Alvarado

I’m gonna write you a letter
Tell you its all better
Tell you that it never really hurt

I’m gonna go with the flow
So that you will never know
That I’m choking back these feelings that I got

This time, this time
This time, this time
This time, this time
It’s gonna be different…

I wanna sing it like I mean it
‘cause god I really mean it
But nobody can see it this time

Love & hope have wrecked me
But please don’t resurrect me
‘cause nothings gonna save me this time

This time, this time
This time, this time
This time, this time
It’s gonna be different…

Hi folks,

Here's the next installment of my new-song video series. Again, it's not shot professionally it's just for fun to share new songs with you.

Enjoy!

Sorrow Sunday
Words & Music Steven Alvarado

Sorrow Sunday
They carried him down
Sorry sister
Your feet on the ground

Sorrow sorrow
It seems so unfair
Should’a stayed longer
Should’a stayed right here

Now we’re wearing black
And he’s never coming back
And it’s breaking my bones

Now we’re wearing black
And he’s never coming back
And it’s breaking my bones