Steven Alvarado: News

Hi Friends,

I need a vacation. I need to find this island and go there and chill. I’m taking some time off and won’t be posting for a few days. But not to worry, I’ll be back soon!

Steven

Hi friends,

So now that I’m back home in New York and have had a couple of days to get over what happened to me, I ‘d love to hear from you.

I’m still upset that I was turned away at the UK boarder just because they felt like being extra Nazi that day. They ruined my entire European tour. All I wanted to do was share my music with people who were interested in hearing it. What’s the problem with that? They insist that I get a Visa & a work permit. So, that’s what I’ll do. Even thought their website has a special page for “Entertainers” that says we don’t need a work permit.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/othercategories/entertainers/
"This section explains how you can come to the United Kingdom as an entertainer without a work permit. In most cases, you will need a work permit and you should see the work permits, sports and entertainers section for more information. This section explains, however, that if you have a genuine invitation to perform at one or more specific events which would mean that you are not in the United Kingdom for longer than six months and you do not use your engagement to establish yourself in the United Kingdom, you may not need a work permit."
Does anyone have a story about being denied entry into a country that you had hoped to visit? I’d love to hear it. Send me an email, and I might even post it.

Xoxo

Steven

Hi Friends,

Well it’s hard to believe, but I was denied entry into the UK and they sent me back to New York. I just got home and have been traveling for 24 hours. I took the red-eye last night from New York and arrived in London this morning. I expected to play Germany on Monday, The Netherlands on Tuesday, and then back to the UK on Wednesday.

Apparently the immigration officer at the UK border had different plans for me. He was a little Nazi, very happy to show how powerful he is. He had me held me for six hours locked in this small filthy waiting room! I felt like some sort of criminal. They finally told me that I needed a work permit to enter the UK if I played in any pubs. This has never been an issue before so I don't know why they stopped me this time.

They wouldn't let me go on to Germany or The Netherlands. I didn't know they could do that, but apparently they can, and did. With the stroke of a pen, this rude little man had the power to cancel my tour and send me home.

It’s a real shame that the British government would work against bringing in some culture to their country. All I wanted to do was share my art with people. I find that really hard to understand. I’m not some criminal, I am a well respected recording artist. I guess it’s my fault for assuming that because what I do is on a relatively small scale, I don’t need to go through the same paperwork that say, a band like U2 has to go through. Governments are all the same. They just don’t care. You follow their rules or you don’t get to play. I learned my lesson.

I’m sorry to say that this episode has put me off touring Europe for a while. I think I’ll just stick to the U.S. for a while.

-Steven

Hi Friends,

I'm hitting the road! I'm flying off to Europe for my tour. Come to a show and say hello! I'm going to try and post from the road, but we'll see how that goes.

I'm also taking my video cam to shoot some footage, which if all goes well I will post for you.

See you out there!

-Steven

Hi Friends,

I’m ready to hit the road in just over a week!! In celebration of my upcoming tour, I want to do a CD giveaway! So here’s how it goes:

I have 10 CD’s to give away. The first 10 people to email me with an accurate list of the towns I’m playing on my European tour will get a copy of my new CD.

Pretty easy to win!

Good luck, and see you out there!

-Steven

Hi Friends,

A couple of new CD reviews came in that I thought I’d share with you. They’re great! They are posted below.

Also, I’d love to hear from you if you are planning to catch my upcoming tour. Send me an email to say hi!

-Steven

MAKING MUSIC MAGAZING, UK Steven Alvarado - Let it Go

Regular visitors will be aware of our unlimited admiration for the songs and voice of Mr. Alvarado. This latest release has been painstakingly put together in New York with some well respected musicians, whilst the whole production is minimalist, the key guys have really added just the right amounts of quality and class for Steven's production recipe and the result is ten beautifully crafted, deeply personal offerings. The attention to detail is perfection. Get This Far, It's For You, Burning Bridges and New York make up the rhythm section of this CD and as brilliant as they are, the heart wrenching and thought provoking lyrics of their 6 brothers and sisters on this production once again provide evidence—If it's required, of this guy's superb writing ability.

Once again it is a privilege to listen to this CD and one that we can offer you guys to. We have six copies to give away to the first six applicants, just email us and tell us why you need a free copy of the CD and it's yours.

There are rumors that Steven will be heading back to these shores for some live shows. Last year we caught up with him in New York at Kenny Castaways and The Porter in Bath - look out for him soon. In the meantime try this link stevenalvarado.com

-Rob Wyborn

_________________


Steven Alvarado: Let It Go (Mott Street Records) by Lee Zimmerman

Up until now, New York singer/songwriter Steven Alvarado has dwelled mostly on high-minded precepts, with philosophical ruminations veering towards politics and religion. However, on his latest effort, Let It Go, he, well, lets it go, trading his proselytizing for dark deliberations about broken relationships. Largely acoustic, it opens with a flourish of earnestly strummed offerings – the rockabilly-tinted “Get This Far,” the ever-persistent “It’s For You” and, most notably, the vibrant and jangly “New York.” Ultimately though, the album falls prey to a veil of tears, a downcast demeanor that finds Alvarado reveling in his own despair. “Nobody Knows” is especially affecting, a loser’s lament that finds our hero “Drinking and thinking about you,” even though the woman in question apparently broke his heart into a zillion tiny splinters. Still, that’s only the first hint of apparent anguish; “Burning Bridges,” “Blue,” “It’s Alright” and “Gone, Gone, Gone” document bitter break-ups with unflinching animosity. Several star session players rally in support, but ultimately it’s down to Alvarado wielding his guitar like a weapon and blasting his ex partners in the process.
_________________

Hi Friends,

It always makes me a little sad when summer is just about over, but the good news is I'm ready to go on tour in October. The dates are posted in the tour section of the website for my short European tour. I will be playing Pony Bar in Hamburg Germany, doing radio in The Netherlands, playing The Betsey Trotwood in London, and playing Dublin Castle in Camden. If you live in or near any of those city’s, please come out to the show and say hello! I’d love to meet you and your friends.

The good reviews are still flowing in at a nice pace. You can read below. Also, a Podcast from Germany called Studio 3 with Jan Ranft just played “See You Again” from the new album. Just click the link.

See you in Europe!

Studio 3 Podcast: www.studio3.podspot.de
REVIEW:

Le Cri Du Coyote Magazine (France)
Steven Alvarado - Let It Go
"Gruff folk blues from New York, 'Let It Go' by Steven Alvarado. Ten tracks without unnecessary detours, harsh, a bit like Escovedo. The always brilliant presence of the sublime Marc Ribot is noticeable: his sharpened guitar puts incredible colours to ”Get This Far” or ”It's Alright”. Steven's voice is beautiful without being too demonstrative, just what's needed in order to captivate."

- Le Cri Du Coyote Magazine

CTRL. ALT. COUNTRY Web-Zine
http://www.ctrlaltcountry.be/Pagina1.htm#StevenAlvarado
STEVEN ALVARADO “Let It Go” (Mott St Records)
(3,5****)

Erg sympathieke schijf van de zo’n jaar of zeven geleden in NYC neergestreken singer-songwriter, wiens stembanden het midden lijken te willen houden tussen die van Tom Waits, die van Jon Dee Graham en die van Ben Weaver. Knapen met wie hij verder overigens maar tot op zekere hoogte vergeleken kan worden. Steven Alvarado experimenteert immers minder graag dan Tom Waits, is véél minder Americana dan Jon Dee Graham en mist ook het excentrieke karakter van Ben Weaver. Waarvoor hij dan wél staat? Voor een vakman in hart en nieren, die zich voor zijn indie folk en akoestische pop steeds weer weet te omringen met de beste begeleiders. Zo wist hij zich voor zijn “album about heartbreak” te verzekeren van de goede diensten van drummer Kenny Wollesen, bassist Joe Quigley, pianist Rob Burger, percussionist John-David Hahns en van die van de ondermeer uit de entourage van Tom Waits bekende supergitarist Marc Ribot. En dat resulteerde in een bijzonder warm aandoend geheel, waarop zijn eigen fantastische stem en zijn ook al bijzonder fijne liedjes voortdurend uitstekend tot hun recht komen. Vooral wat tragere songs als “Nobody Knows”, “Reasons” en “Blue” zijn wat ons betreft echte blijvertjes. Maar ook wat meer uptempo spul als het aantrekkelijk rammelende tweetal “Burning Bridges” en “Gone, Gone, Gone”, het loom rockende “Get This Far” of het nadrukkelijk naar de nodige airplay lonkende “It’s For You” mogen er absoluut wezen. Dat soort van deuntjes vormt als het ware een open invitatie om er zo snel mogelijk ook Alvarado’s eerdere platen “Mercy” (1991), “Bleed” (1997), “The Howl Sessions” (2005) en “Howling Live In New York” (2006) eens op na te slaan, al zijn enkele daarvan ondertussen spijtig genoeg dan ook enkel nog als download verkrijgbaar.

(Google Translation)

Very sympathetic drive of the seven or so years ago in NYC neergestreken singer-songwriter, whose vocal cords the middle seem to want to keep between those of Tom Waits, that of Jon Dee Graham and Ben Weaver. Knapen with whom he deficiencies but to a certain extent can be compared. Steven Alvarado experiment is less happy than Tom Waits, is much less than Americana Jon Dee Graham and also misses the eccentric character of Ben Weaver. What does he have? For an expert in heart and kidneys, who for his indie folk and acoustic pop always knows how to surround with the best escorts. If he knew about his "album about heartbreak" to secure the services of drummer Kenny Wollesen, bassist Joe Quigley, pianist Rob Burger, percussionist John-David Hahn and those of the out among the entourage of Tom Waits known supergitarist Marc Ribot. And that resulted in a particularly hot-looking whole, which his own great voice and are also already very fine songs for their right to excellent. Especially what slower songs like "Nobody Knows", "Reasons" and "Blue" are what we are concerned real blijvertjes. But also a bit more uptempo stuff as the two attractive junky "Burning Bridges" and "Gone, Gone, Gone", the loom rocking "Get This Far" or explicitly to the necessary airplay lonkende "It's For You" should absolutely orphans. That kind of tunes, as it were an open invitation to there as quickly as possible Alvarado's previous boards "Mercy" (1991), "Bleed" (1997), "The Howl Sessions" (2005) and "Howling Live In New York "(2006) even after store, although some of them now unfortunately is only available as a download.

☮ ☮ ☮

Hi Friends,

I can now announce some tour dates that are confirmed. I’ll be playing in Hamburg Germany, The Netherlands, and London England. Once again I’ll be traveling solo-acoustic, just the way I like it. Go to the tour section of the website for details.


-Steven

Hi Friends!

I have another song for you from my album release show I did here in New York City at The Living Room for XM Satellite Radio.

Keep checking back for more song posts.

Enjoy!

Gone, Gone, Gone (live)

Steven Alvarado
Let It Go
Mott Street Records 2008
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ four stars There’s an excellent book. “I’ll Take You There: Pop Music and the Urge for Transcendence,” that talks about music that tries to take the listener to a different emotional – almost spiritual – plane. Transcendence in music, the author argues, isn’t necessarily a religious experience: It might just come in the form of a particularly gifted songwriter who can take a moment and make it so universal that it transforms into a truth. Steven Alvarado’s latest effort, “Let It Go,” definitely has its moments of managing to achieve this concept. “Let It Go” managed to pull this particular reviewer in from the very first riff on the opening track “Get This Far” (not an easy task, by the way). How? It was a note-perfect homage reminiscent of Bowie’s iconic opening riff to “John, I’m Only Dancing.” Transcendence in the form of Bowie, you ask? Why not? It certainly worked on Flight of the Concords. But it’s not just Bowie that Alvarado manages to (consciously or unconsciously) channel in this album.

Alvarado’s voice is equal parts Tom Waits and Bruce Cockburn – deep gravel by the way of Leadbelly’s “Goodnight, Irene.” And when you manage to channel Leadbelly, you better believe you’ve achieved transcendence.

-S.R.M.

The Deli Magazine, New Yok

Hi Friends!

I have another song to share with you from the album release show I did here in New York City at The Living Room for XM Satellite Radio.

Keep checking back for more songs to be posted over the next few weeks from that night.

Enjoy!

It’s For You (live)

Hi Friends, got another great review to share with you!


Backed up by a crack team of musicians, including Marc Ribot and Kenny Wollensen, Steven Alvarado returns with his radiant fourth album “Let It Go” (Mott Street). A queer take on roots and Americana music, Alvarado’s gruff but gracious vocals provide the glow in songs such as “It’s For You,” the early Tom Waits-like “Nobody Knows,” the swishing swing of “Burning Bridges,” the urban twang of “Gone, Gone, Gone,” the Springsteen-esque “It’s Alright” and the most overtly gay number on the disc, the glorious “New York,” a track Alvarado dedicated to his best friend, acclaimed gay poet Aaron Smith.

-Gregg Shapiro

Hi Friends!

I have some exciting news! I was able to get my hands on the recording from my album release show I did here in New York City at The Living Room for XM Satellite Radio. I’ve decided to share that recording with you!

Over the next few weeks I will be posting various songs from that night. Keep checking back for new song posts!

Here’s the first post:

See You Again (live)

Steven Alvarado
Let It Go
Mott Street Records 2008
6.5 Stars

Dalla West Coast passando per Nashville, un percorso che infine si confonde tra le sensazioni della grande mela, ancora oggi una terra promessa profumata di sogni e speranze. Le influenze di Steven Alvarado seguono le rotte del cuore, e dal cuore si materializzano in canzoni imbevute di tradizione, in particolare quella dei colletti blu e delle dusty roads, vera e propria metafora dell'american way of life, quella più vera. Una vita e una chitarra, due album autoprodotti fino all'ottimo riscontro in patria e nella vecchia Europa (soprattutto in Francia) grazie a The Howl Sessions (2005), un disco che mette in mostra le doti sincere di un artista che fa musica per piacere, con quel pizzico di coraggio che non guasta, anzi. Non ci sono brani da capogiro in questo nuovo Let It Go, 10 canzoni che scorrono via che è un piacere in poco meno di mezz'ora, ma la proposta merita assoluto rispetto, soprattutto se paragonata al mainstream senza corrente elettrica che ormai ha colonizzato le onde radio. Tanto per cominciare, nei credits figurano musicisti di spessore non comune, in primis Marc Ribot, che regala pennellate di puro godimento con la sei corde, seguito a ruota da Kenny Wollesen alla batteria, Rob Burger al piano e Joe Quigley al basso, strumentazione essenziale degna del perfetto rocker stradaiolo. Ed è alla dimensione heartland che Alvarado attinge maggiormente, facendo sua la lezione di Petty, Mellencamp e del Boss, fino a giungere al Jesse Malin dei giorni nostri, con il maestro Dylan nelle vene e nella struttura di alcuni brani portanti, come ad esempio Gone, Gone, Gone, dove anche il titolo sembra nascere a Duluth per approdare con naturalezza al Greenwich Village. Il suono è eccellente, chitarristico e mai invadente, come si addice al genere, i testi parlano di sentimenti comuni, quelli quotidiani, della difficoltà di vivere le relazioni, di rapporti tormentati, finiti, ricordati. Il feeling sixties di Get This Far richiama il primo Van Morrison, It's For You ha Petty come mentore, un'ottima sezione ritmica e un refrain di primo impatto, Nobody Knows e See You Again sono due ballad di impianto cantautorale che ricordano il Michael McDermott migliore, Burning Bridges attraversa territori country, New York è un rock di strada nella sua quintessenza con i solchi imperlati di sudore, It's Alright deve molto a Springsteen, così come la conclusiva e pianistica Reasons. Blue è infine una dark song che spezza il filo conduttore di un disco che manca di un paio di brani superiori per diventare una proposta notevole. Ma l'onestà di fondo è più che apprezzabile, e a noi basta e avanza.

-David Nieri


Translation (from Google Translate, very rough)

Steven Alvarado
Let It Go
Mott Street Records 2008
6.5 Stars

From the West Coast passing through Nashville, a journey that eventually forms between the sensations of the big apple, still smelling a promised land of dreams and hopes. The influence of Steven Alvarado follow the routes of heart, and heart materializes in songs imbued with tradition, especially blue-collar and dusty roads, real metaphor the American way of life, the most true. A life and a guitar, two albums reflected excellent self-up at home and in old Europe (especially in France) thanks to The Howl Sessions (2005), a disc that puts on display the talents of a genuine artist who makes music for pleasure, with that bit of courage that fails not, indeed. There are songs from dizziness in this new Let It Go, 10 songs that flow path that is a pleasure in less than half an hour, but the proposal deserves absolute respect, especially when compared to mainstream without electricity which now has colonized the radio waves. To begin with, in credits include musicians thick uncommon, primarily Marc Ribot, which gives the stroke of pure enjoyment with six strings, followed by Kenny Wollesen on drums, Rob Burger on piano and Joe Quigley on bass, instrumentation essential worthy of the perfect rocker stradaiolo. It is the size heartland that draws more Alvarado, making the lesson of Petty, Mellencamp and The Boss, reaching to Jesse Malin of our day, with the teacher Dylan in the veins and structure of some passages carriers, such as Gone, Gone, Gone, where even the title seems to be born in Duluth to lead naturally to Greenwich Village. The sound is excellent, guitar and never intrusive, as befits the genre, the texts speak of common sentiments, those newspapers, the difficulty of living relationships, relationships tormented, finished, remember. The feeling of sixties Get This Far recalls the first Van Morrison, It's For You has Petty as mentor, a good rhythm section and a refrain of the first impact, and Nobody Knows, See You Again, are two ballad planting cantautorale who remember the Michael McDermott better, Burning Bridges crosses territories country, New York is a rock road in its quintessence with the furrows imperlati sweat, It's Alright owes much to Springsteen, and the conclusive piano/acoustic guitar Reasons. Blue is finally a dark song that breaks the thread of a disc that lacks a couple of songs become higher for a substantial proposal. But the fundamental honesty is more than welcome, and we justly recommend.

-David Nieri, ROOTS HIGHWAY

Hi Friends,

The new album is doing great in Europe and getting rave reviews and lot’s of radio play! Here are just a few of the stations playing Let It Go:

Songriver, Omroep IJsselmond 104.1 FM / The Netherlands Programmer: Berrie Koetsier
Americana, alt-country, folk, singer-songwriter
Gone gone gone - Steven Alvarado It's For You - Steven Alvarado
RCF Network - Americana Music Club / France Programmer: J.SPIRY
It’s For You – Steven Alvarado
Get This Far - Steven Alvarado
New York - Steven Alvarado
MOJO DREAMS – Radio ZRO 106.2 FM / Belgium
MOJO DREAMS – Radio Goud 107.7 FM / Belgium Programmer: MARK VERBERT
Nobody Knows - Steven Alvarado
Americana OK – UK Programmer: Tom Fahey
It’s Alright – Steven Alvarado
Some New Reviews:
Hanx.net

http://www.hanx.net/recensieimg/april08/alvarado.htm

Rocktimes.de

http://www.rocktimes.de/gesamt/a/steven_alvarado/let_it_go.html

Hi Everyone,

The Advocate Magazine released an iMix compilation album of the artists they featured in this years Music Issue called The Advocate MUSIC ISSUE iMIX 2008. The album features music from Sia, Bob Mould & Me! It's available right now on iTunes.

Here’s the link:

Hi Friends,

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Album Release show at The Living Room. XM Satellite Radio recorded it for broadcast and I will announce the air-date as soon as I find out what it is.

A new look for the website! I got tired of the other look way too fast and decided to go with something much cleaner and modern. Hope you like the new look!

More news later!

STEVEN ALVARADO - ALBUM RELEASE PARTY

Hosted By: XM Satellite Radio & The Living Room

When: Tuesday Apr 15, 2008
at 8:00 PM

Where: The Living Room
154 Ludlow Street

New York, NY 10013

United States

Description:

XM Satellite Radio & The Living Room Present:

Steven Alvarado - Solo Acoustic

Hi friends,

Here it is! The new April music issue of The Advocate! I’m featured in the cover article called “The New Kids” along with Bob Mould, Sia, and Moby! The magazine hits the stands any day now. Pick up a copy and send the editor a thank you email for writing about me! They may even publish it in the “feedback” section. Anne Stockwell, Editor & Chief: editor@advocate.com

More news later!

Hi friends,

Just a quick update. My music video is now playing on the Logo channel's show "The Click List top 10 Videos". It aired 7PM EST (in NYC) and repeats at 12 midnight and then throughout the weekend and all next week.

You can keep voting as many times as you like to keep it in the top 10!

-Steven

Vote here:

MTV/LOGO

Hi everyone, great news!

Thanks to all of your votes, my music video made the Top 10 on MTV’s LOGO Channel! I’m #10 and Janet Jackson is #9. You can help me pass her by voting again!

Send me a note—let me know you voted. I love hearing from everyone!

-Steven



Vote here:

MTV/LOGO

VOTE FOR STEVEN'S VIDEO: MTV/LOGO
Hi friends,

Set your calendars! The official Album release party is set for April 15th, here in New York. In celebration of the release, I have been invited to play the XM Satellite Radio Live From The Loft series, which is taped for broadcast!

Come out and celebrate my new album release with me!


XM SATELLITE RADIO PRESENTS
The Loft at The Living Room
STEVEN ALVARADO—Solo Acoustic
8pm
The Living Room
154 Ludlow Street
New York, NY 10002
212-533-7235

Hi Friends,

I have big news! MTV’s LOGO Channel is now streaming my video on their website! I need your vote! The more votes I get the more they’ll play it on TV.


Vote here:

MTV/LOGO

Out Smart Magazine, March 2008
Steven Alvarado Let It Go
Alvarado, who released the Parisian-based Radio Dio fave The Howl Sessions in 2005, provides flat-out, acoustic-laced rock 'n' roll on his fourth album. Fans of Lucinda Williams and Beth Orton may enjoy this collection, especially “Get This Far” and “Blue.” Mott St. Records

— Nancy Ford, Out Smart Magazine, Houston Tx

Hi all,

My new album made USA Today’s top 10 albums this week! Check it out:


Thursday, February 21, 2008
First Impressions: Today's 10-spot of albums I continue to be impressed with the volume of high-quality music being released these days. Someday, maybe, when historians regain their perspective, this period will be looked upon as a golden era -- not necessarily by judging from the hits, but from the sheer, unprecedented quantity of good music. I know this isn't a popular viewpoint, and I also know, from first-hand experience, how easy it is to ossify your tastes with a particular time and place so that appreciating newer music becomes ever harder, but there are musical riches out there in profusion if you look for them.
Anyway, this week's 10, most of which in some way qualify to join the quality ranks:
Steven Alvarado, Let It Go (out April 1): Potential-filled singer/songwriter with a tantalizing hint of Dylan on a couple of tracks.

— Ken Barnes, USA Today