Steven Alvarado: Press

Out Smart Magazine

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

TOP 10 ALBUMS - USA Today
Steven Alvarado
Let It Go

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

Recommended:
Steven Alvarado Let It Go (Mott Street)

Pleasantly unwound rootsy pieces. Alvarado has a fine rough-hewn voice, and he's got the likes of Marc Ribot and Kenny Wollesen backing him up. Hard to go wrong there, and Alvarado doesn't. Something to savor.

-Jon Worley
www.aidabet.com

THIS IS FROM BELGIUM! (anyone speak Dutch?)

STEVEN ALVARADO - LET IT GO Label : Mott Street Records

Vanuit New York City bereikte ons nieuw werk van singer-songwriter Steven Alvarado, die ons in 2005 al wist te verrassen met zijn debuutalbum “The Howl Sessions”. Eerder had hij al twee cd’s in eigen beheer opgenomen onder de titels “Mercy” en “Bleed”. De meeste bekendheid verwierf hij doorheen de voorbije jaren opvallenderwijze voornamelijk in Engeland en Frankrijk. Zijn liedjes behandelen meestal onderwerpen in de emotionele sfeer en vaak kijkt hij op een eerlijke wijze naar de onderlinge verhoudingen tussen de mensen, zijn eigen privé-ervaringen in het leven daarbij zeker niet uit de weg gaand. De nieuwste cd van Steven Alvarado heet “Let It Go” en zal officieel pas in april 2008 verschijnen. Ze bestaat uit 10 zelfgeschreven nummers in diverse snelheden, gaande van swingende rock tot slakkengangtrage ballades. De muzikanten die deze plaat met hem opnamen zijn niet van de minsten: gitarist Mark Ribot (Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, T-Bone Burnett), drummer Kenny Wollesen (Norah Jones, Rickie Lee Jones, Rufus Wainwright), pianist Rob Burger (Beth Orton, Lucinda Williams en Rufus Wainwright) en bassist Joe Quigley (Lisa Loeb en Shawn Colvin). De meeste songs zijn nogal donker opgebouwd, maar nummers als “New York” over het wilde leven in deze wereldstad en “It’s For You” (de eerste single uit het album) met een drijvende percussie-groove contrasteren daar op een knappe manier mee. Enkele teksten gaan over de gevoelens van pijn over een verloren liefde en “Nobody Knows” is een weergave van de verscheurende eenzaamheid en het verdriet dat je ervaart als je een geliefde moet missen. Steven Alvarado zal in 2008 een uitgebreide tournee maken doorheen Amerika en Europa. Wij hopen hem hierbij ergens aan het werk te mogen zien en horen.
(valsam)
www.rootstime.be

STEVEN ALVARADO - Let It Go
(CD, Mott Street, Pop)
5 Stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Steven Alvarado makes music that seems to come straight from his subconsciousness. Instead of aiming for a particular audience or mimic the sound of other artists, this fellow seems to just let music flow from his veins.

His 2005 album The Howl Sessions made a lot of people sit up and take notice. Our guess is that Let It Go will be even more well received. The album features an all-star cast of session musicians that includes Marc Ribot, Kenny Wollesen, Rob Burger, and Joe Quigley. In some ways, Alvarado's songs recall the cool reflective quality of Kenny Siegel's music (Johnny Society)...except the sound is more organic overall. Like Kenny, Steven has a mesmerizing voice and his presence (that comes shining through in these recordings) is extraordinary. Alvarado is one of those guys who...if he gets lucky...could easily make the transformation from underground nobody to major celebrity in a flash.

His songs come straight from the heart...genuinely touching and real. Ten kickass tracks here including "Get This Far," "Nobody Knows," "Blue," and "Reasons." An instant hit. Highly recommended. (Rating: 5 Stars)

The Long-Tail Gets Longer, and Indie-Folk-Pop Artist Steven Alvarado is helping it grow-
Without the help of a major record label, celebrated indie artist Steven Alvarado toured Europe this summer, got his music on the hit PBS television show Roadtrip Nation, and has a new studio album in the works with mass distribution. How did he do it? The Long Tail.

New York, NY (Billboard) March 4, 2007—New York City singer-songwriter Steven Alvarado has been on tour, selling downloads on iTunes, getting his music on PBS television, and carving out a place for himself on the international music scene. Not bad for an artist you may have never heard of. Principals of the now famous Wired Magazine news article and book The Long Tail
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/12.10/tail.html
by writer Chris Anderson are clearly at work here.

In spring of 2005 Steven Alvarado released The Howl Sessions on his own upstart record label Mott Street. By summer of 2006 the album had amassed an enormous amount of good press heralding him as one of the greats with comparisons to the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty. Quotes like "A truly excellent release." -Zeitgeist-Scot (London), "Alvarado is a salty, epigrammatic, storytelling poet." -Chris S. Witwer, GayWired.com (USA) and "Startlingly gorgeous and cohesive." -Stephanie R. Myers, The Deli, (New York) became the norm. By fall Alvarado embarked on his Howl Sessions Tour, which started in NYC and took him to England and France and back to the U.S. with a final stop at The Hinge Café in Philadelphia, PA. The tour named after his critically acclaimed album played intimate venues across Europe including London’s world famous Troubadour where Bob Dylan once played on his first UK visit.

Alvarado is among the growing number of artists who have decided to take matters into their own hands and forgo the typical major-label path to success. As various avenues of distribution become increasingly available, more and more artists have opted to bypass record companies altogether. The number one culprit in this mutiny? The Internet. Websites like MySpace can get an artist noticed and help them build a substantial fan-base. MySpace has become the standard for all musicians major or minor for maintaining a presents on the Web. They offer free web space that includes streaming music, video, photos, and Blog space.

CD Baby has quietly become the number-one distributor of independent music in the world. About two years ago they signed a deal with the wildly popular Apple iTunes for digital distribution. Deals with every major digital distributor including Rhapsody, Emusic, AOL and MSN Music soon followed. Super D/Phantom Distribution, the largest CD distributor for both major and independent record companies in the world came next and offered CD Baby a better deal for its’ artists than any other label they distribute. Under this exclusive deal there are no returns, a feat previously unheard. These deals give artists on the CD Baby roster the same distribution that any major can give and makes the entire CD Baby catalogue available to easily buy digitally or in traditional brick-and-mortar stores.

iTunes, the most influential music distributor in the music business just announced they are now the fourth largest music seller in the world. They are poised to become number one as CD sales continue to drop, and downloads and iPod sales continue to rise. The staggering success of the iPod and iTunes has without question shifted the way all music will be distributed in the future. In true Long-Tail ideology of make everything available, Steve Jobs himself said he wants “every piece of recorded music that exists to be included in the iTunes catalogue.”

As a result Mercy Alvarado’s debut album, Bleed, the follow up, 2005’s The Howl Sessions, and the 2006 release of Howling Live in New York Alvarado’s first live album are all available on iTunes. To his credit, Alvarado drew an impressive group of musicians to play on The Howl Sessions including Rob Burger (Rufus Wainwright, Norah Jones) on an assortment of vintage keyboards, and Joe Quigley, (Shawn Colvin, Lisa Loeb) on bass.

The album drew attention from the get-go. Former MTV Veejay Adam Curry played the title cut Howl (pushing up daisies) on his groundbreaking Podcast Daily Source Code resulting in thousands of hits to Alvarado’s Website and sales on iTunes. Taking further advantage of the internet, Alvarado began emailing his Electronic Press Kit to various contacts and got a song featured in two episodes of the PBS TV show Roadtrip Nation, which airs weekly.

Alvarado is currently at work on a new album and has once again drawn well-known musicians to play. Grammy-nominated drummer Kenny Wolleson (Sex Mob, Lisa Loab, Rufus Wainwright) and guitarist Mark Ribot (Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, T-Bone Burnett). The album is expected out this summer along with a tour.

Steven Alvarado-MakingMusic.com Interview
September 2006
Part One...

Meeting Mr. Alvarado on his home turf, NYC
As many of our readers will know, we at MakingMusic are huge fans of New York Singer songwriter, Steven Alvarado. As it happens I was the lucky one to meet up with him on his home territory on my recent trip.

The Meeting…
Based in New York, Steven has everything he could ever need on his doorstep, therefore he doesn’t suffer much from jet lag, but I should have know better than to ring a musician before midday to arrange to meet up. After my rude awakening at 11am we decided to meet in SoHo, downtown New York at 1pm. As a first time visitor to NYC, I decided to make my way from Central park by taxi, this took only ten minutes, so I had a while to waste, however, there is always something to do in this most vibrant and diverse of cities, for me though, lunch beckoned. After this, I stood on a street corner, called Steven again and agreed to meet outside a ‘famous’ pizza parlor, famed for it’s involvement in the well documented impromptu Madonna vs. Paparazzi battle.

Within minutes, the man who looks exactly like he does in his photos, arrived, refreshed, relaxed and smiling so we targeted another coffee house.

The Man…
The man behind his music is a genuine, sincere guy, who is not only pleased to answer any questions, but appears truly interested in what you have to say. He is ebullient about New York and is very excited about his trip to London and France next month.

Speaking to Steven it is obvious his passion drives his music and his music is his passion, and to the constant frustration of his record company, of which he is a partner, you could not find a musician less interested in the commercial aspect of this world. Steven does not write music to sell, he writes what he wants, about what he wants and that’s it. If people do buy it, then that is just a happy coincidence, and with some breaking news, it would appear that this coincidence is soon to become a lot happier.

Steven also runs a recording studio in the Chelsea area of New York, which not only gives him the facility to get his work recorded, but also the access to some very fine musicians, whom he is humble enough to appreciate their enthusiasm for his work.

The Music…
Inspiration for Steven’s music is quite literally around every corner in this city and when the need to write descends on him, he will quickly write three or four songs almost simultaneously, each influencing the other, back and forth and each story fuelling the next chapter.

The Origins…
Many musicians will tell you about their childhood - stealing moments of late night radio, or TV shows with inspirational characters that have made them ‘pick up a guitar and sing’, but not for Steven. During his high school days a friend of his would often come to school with a guitar, sit in the hallway and strum and sing, this memorized a young Mr. Alvarado, so much so that he went home, bought a guitar and started doing the same, neither he nor anyone who loves his music has any regrets about this.

The Future…
It has to be said, that the future is a very exciting place to be for both Steven and his growing number of fans.

Firstly, Steven told us in confidence about some interesting developments; checking his web site since my return, confirms that the ‘news’ is now released and that a US based TV series, Roadtrip Nation has opted to include a some of Stevens music in some up and coming episodes, this will not only prove profitable, but will immediately throw his name in front of millions of new listeners… exciting times? ‘well yes, I have say that I do love the idea that my music will be heard by more people, I think any songwriter wishes for that, the fact that it will earn some cash is definitely a ‘happy coincidence’’ Steven added.

For those of you in the UK, there is good news too, but you will have to be quick off the mark. Steven is touring Europe and this is including two dates in London. The Troubadour Café and the 12Bar will both play host to Steven on the 3rd and 4th October, take a look at Steven’s web site for more details.

If you do miss out on these live shows, please check back this site and we will endeavor to keep you up to date with the latest news from Mr. Alvarado.

-Rob Wyborn

Part two to follow...

Part Two…

Steven Alvarado-MakingMusic.com, Live in London at The Troubadour
10/03/06

The Man is a Troubadour
After a few short weeks back in the UK, we needed our U.S. fix, but the lack of funds, and too much work, meant that we had to settle for the next best thing, and please believe us, this man will be the Next Best Thing.

From the time that news broke of Steven Alvarado's first UK performances, this MakingMusic office has been rather excited - to learn that his first performance would be at London's world famous Troubadour Music club - the venue for Bob Dylan's first UK gig - just doubled the excitement level. We have been pacing the office and watching kettles boil for weeks, and then, the time came for what will be an historic gig.

The Troubadour is a small, intimate venue, perfect for close-up music. This suited the material and performance of Mr. Alvarado.

Steven's live performances are a deeply personal experience, none more so than for the artist himself - the songs are emotions delivered in a shy 'why should I tell you my deepest secrets' kind of way - but his desire to disclose those secrets to people who care, overwhelms him and disclose them he does.

Quite simply, being in the presence of this performance was a privilege - to be allowed in to his world for thirty minutes can at times be a eerie experience - sometimes you find yourself wondering if you should be there, like you have stumbled into a conversation that you're not sure if you should hear.

The audience on that night were less respectful initially, broadcasting their 'louder-than-necessary' conversations about buildings and food, cars and girls. However, after a worthy sound engineer entered the stage after the third song and issue a warning, an agreeable applause was initiated and normal service was resumed. Steven's timing for his next song - Wish You Were Here (Postcards from Hell) - was perfect, he explained that this was written because an old 'friend' told him that he would go to hell - this was the songwriters' response and his message to all - 'Don't F*** with a Songwriter' was not lost on this audience. Point well made!

Opening for the evening meant that Steven's first UK gig was far too short, next time this will not be case - all of you reading this now need to demand your favorite venue to call Steven and book him - more people need to witness this fine songwriter, and the UK needs to hear crafted songs of this quality more often.

Thank you Steven

-Rob Wyborn

Steven Alvarado - The Howl Sessions

“Brilliant acoustic music from a great songwriter. Earthy, beautiful and soulful. Gruff American Music Club. Modern folk-roots-rock… Artful indie-country-rock… Part Jerry Jeff Walker, part Neil Young… All good.”

-Hybrid Magazine, Colorado

Steven Alvarado, The Howl Sessions (Mott Street)

Raw, haunting and compelling, Steven Alvarado’s “The Howl Sessions” is full of battle scars, dirt in your teeth, and open wounds all over your body. “Howl (Pushing Up Daisies)” references beats Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac and is forceful and vigorous enough to make me think that he might be angling for a movement of his own. Alvarado evokes Bruce Cockburn’s vocal stylings and pairs them with lyrics that range from the somber to the exuberant without once breaking a sweat. Melodically, there’s nothing short of virtuosity here, whether it’s the country-flavored guitars on “Wish You Were Here (Postcards From Hell)” or the positivist anthem “I Feel The Rain.” The album doesn’t shy away from incorporating very different sounds, and yet the feel ends up being startlingly gorgeous and cohesive.

-Stephanie R. Myers, New York City

REVIEW: Steven Alvarado
The Howl Sessions (Mott Street)

Solo album 3, in a recording career going back to 1991 isn’t a frenetic release schedule, but it’s worth waiting for something this good.

His vocal style alone would make this worthwhile, even if he was singing the equivalent of the telephone directory, for his warm, lived in voice, is a treat. However, he knows how to write a memorable tune as well. Amongst the many highlights here are the tragic “Morphillia (A Girl I Knew)” and “Wish You Were Here (Postcards From Hell)”, which show a depth of lyricism rarely heard these days. How can you go wrong with an opening stanza of;

You told me I’m going to Hell
I’m finally here and doing swell
I’ll send you a card ‘wish you were here’
‘umm humm, down here

He is well respected enough to be able to call on some well connected players to help bring his vision to life, with Rob Burger (Rufus Wainwright, Norah Jones) on organ, Joe Quigley, (Shawn Colvin, Lisa Loeb) on bass, Mike Presta, (Counting Crows, Melissa Etheridge) on drums and Richard Barone, (Lou Reed, Patti Smith) on bongo's, amongst others.

But it’s to his credit that his songs and voice rise above the backing to make a righteous claim for respect in his own right. A truly excellent release.

-Zeitgeist (LONDON)

The Howl Sessions-Steven Alvarado
June 2005

Bleed, the highly acclaimed predecessor to The Howl Sessions (Mott St. Records) is a hard act to follow, but Steven Alvarado pulls it off with his latest offering. The Howl Sessions, recorded and produced by Alvarado in New York City, is a personal, political, acoustically-bent CD.

Alvarado, who is originally from California but has done his time in Nashville, is now flourishing musically in New York City, where he managed to assemble a group of talented, star musicians including Rob Burger (Rufus Wainwright, Nora Jones) on a variety of organs, Joe Quigley, (Shawn Colvin, Lisa Loeb) on bass, Mike Presta (Counting Crows, Melissa Etheridge) on drums, Richard Barone (Lou Reed, Patti Smith) on bongos, Al Houghton (They Might Be Giants, Penny Arcade) on electric guitar, and Mike Crehore, (Phoebe Snow, Patty Austin) also on electric guitar.

As a songwriter, Alvarado is a salty, epigrammatic, storytelling poet. “Howl (Pushing up Daisies)” begins with the line, “I’m a beaten down poet…” who claims to sell tragedy for $10 a pop unless you’ve already stolen it. The song goes on to explain that Jesus is still pushing up daisies, still in the grave… and that Alvarado is an American Beauty with buzz but no high. This track alone warrants repeated play in order to understand where Alvarado is coming from, and where he’s going with The Howl Sessions.

Vocally, Alvarado is rarely in tune—he stretches his voice beyond its comfort zone and doesn’t always hit the note he’s supposed to, but this is part of his charm. He sounds like a scruffy friend who sat down in your garage with a used mic and a battered acoustic guitar, intending to share his sense of the world with you through his lyrics.

Which is exactly what Alvarado is, and what The Howl Sessions accomplish. Some of the melodies and song structures are too similar for my taste—they sound very much alike, but the lyrics are all unique and full of meaning.

The CD is produced in an old-school acoustic style, with Alvarado’s vocals and acoustic guitar leading the way on all the tracks—organ, bass, electric guitar, and drums lightly accompany him in his solo effort as a singer of gritty, disgruntled American guy songs.

The tracks sound like they were recorded in a garage with a group of friends who just happen to be incredibly talented musicians. And they are. It’s an interesting and welcoming effect, one that brings you closer to the lyrics than any other style Alvarado might have employed for The Howl Sessions.

-Chris S. Witwer (Los Angeles)

© 2005 GayWired.com, All Rights Reserved

Making Music, UK
REVIEW: The Howl Sessions
Mott Street Records

STEVEN ALVARADO - AMBITIONLESS!

We have been listening to a sensational artist, Steven Alvarado - this may be the start of something beautiful in the Making Music offices and we have fallen in love with this guy's Steam Powered vocals and stories from his latest release The Howl Sessions.

Physically, Steven was born in California, however his spiritual heart soon corrected that accident when he moved to New York to synchronize his heart and music. The man claims to be ambitionless, which from a our perspective, makes him a success...

In his own words, Steven's latest album, The Howl Sessions is his best record yet, of which he is justifiably proud' Well, we here at makingmusic are new to Steven and are not going to judge this against his previous work, but purely on it's own merits. This album is GOOD. Of course there are many ways you can inflict the word 'good' in any sentence, but please believe us, on this occasion we need no more embellishment. Here in the office, we have fallen in love with this man's music and voice; our neighboiurs now believe we only have one album!

Quite simply everyone who appreciates well crafted songs, good musicianship balanced with pure, clean production will have to buy this album, and probably all his back catalogue and all future work. Steven's unique vocal goes a long way to colour this work, previous reviewers' observations likening of him to Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen only serve to give a fore taste of a genre. For our part Steven's Steam powered voice is a perfect device for the output of such textured and lyrics and stories.

'Pushing up Daisies', proclaims a 'non-belief in Angels' and of being a 'beaten down poet, selling tragedy on plastic ' is a surprisingly depressive, uplifting song. Acoustic poetry with friends.

We won’t go on too much, make your own mind up and buy the CD. Go to Steven's site for a lot more info and the fantastically named web site. www.stevenalvarado.com

Steven's dues are all paid in full, from California to Nashville, on to NYC and all stops in between. Guests on his work reads like a who's who of the cool and talented and is a token of the respect he has earnt.

Any comparisons to more well known artists will not prove of any use, this work is unique and deserves universal airplay

_________________________________

INTERVIEW:

We spoke to Steven and asked him our standard Top 20 questions. Here’s what he had to say...

Who and what did you listen to when you were growing up?

"Well first of all, let me say thank you for all the enthusiasm about my album, you guys are great and I really appreciate it. It’s not everyday someone puts up a shrine to me on their Website. Wow!

I have always been surrounded by pretty eclectic music. Everything from Patty Griffin & Sam Phillips to Cold Play to Led Zeppelin to Neil Young to Miles Davis and John Coltrane (one of my favorites.)"

What or who got you interested in playing an instrument?

"I first learned the flute because I thought it was cool, but I couldn’t sing and play flute so that was a problem. In high school a kid I knew used to bring his acoustic guitar to class and sing and play songs in the hall. The first time I saw that I was smitten. I borrowed my sister’s boyfriend’s guitar and started teaching myself. I started writing songs from day one. I was never interested in learning anyone else’s music because I had plenty to say myself."

Have you had any formal training, if not how have you taught yourself?

"Early on I took a few guitar lessons, but that was it. I just practiced a lot."

What are you listening to at present?

"Dave Sharp from The Alarm put out a solo album years ago called Hard Traveling. I started listening to that again recently and I’m just addicted to it. It's so good."

How did the band get together?

"Well, we aren’t a band. I was lucky enough to meet all these great musicians at the studio and through mutual friends. Guys like Rob Burger who plays with Rufus Wainright and Nora Jones and Joe Quigley who’s played with Shawn Colvin."

What ambitions do you have as a band?

"I don’t have any ambitions. I’m ambitionless."

What musician or artist, dead or alive, would you like to meet and why?

"Marlene Dietrich. Can you imagine hanging out with her? You would be fabulous by association."

What advice would you give to young musicians starting out?

"Be honest in what you write. If it’s a put on, no one will respect you and no one will relate to you. Anyone can make up stories, but few people can tell the truth. If you do that people will respond to you and you’ll get noticed."

What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

"F**k ‘em all, be yourself."

What has been your favourite gig?

"I played this tiny little bar in Hollywood CA once. It was just me and my guitar and it was one of those magical nights where I just had them. I sold it out and it was really great. I’ve had many like that but that was special."

Who is the moaner of the band?

"Hmmm… well I’ve never had sex with any of those guys so I couldn’t tell you. But if I had to guess I’d say me."

Your favourite...
TV programme?

"An American show on HBO called Six Feet Under. It’s amazing."

Film?

"It changes but right now I’d say Angels In America."

Musician?

"Sam Phillips."

Actor or Actress?

"Christopher Walken is at the top of my list. He’s so bizarre and fantastic. Also Al Pacino, you just can’t touch him."

Country?

"England, Italy & France. Sadly, I’m embarrassed at the moment by my own country because of our idiot president. When he’s out of office I’m just going to pretend it never happened."

Method of transport?

"Walking. I live in New York City."

Time of day?

"In the summer time just about an hour before the sun goes down and there’s a nice cool breeze blowing and the sky is beautiful."

Sport?

"Does drinking with friends count?: (yes, Ed.)

Desert Island, one CD. Which album and why?

"Sam Phillips, Cruel Inventions. I think that is her masterpiece album."

What gear do you use?

"I play a Guild acoustic guitar. I love Taylor guitars and would play one if they would endorse me. I’d tell everyone how amazing they are in every interview."


Thank you Steven

REVIEW: The Howl Sessions

“New York City transplant Steven Alvarado has assembled an all-star cast of musicians, including Richard Barone of The Bongos, to perform with him on his latest album The Howl Sessions (Mott Street). The ten catchy pop songs, buoyed by Alvarado’s smoky vocals, emanate audible and irresistible warmth. Whether he’s referencing both Allen Ginsberg and John Lennon in “Howl” or observing the decline of those around him as in “Morphillia (A Girl I Knew)” and “Mad At The World” or celebrating queer love in “Wildflowers” or telling someone off as in both “Tea & Sympathy” and “Wish You Were Here (Postcards From Hell),” Alvarado does it with style.”

-Gregg Shapiro, Chicago

Acclaimed critic & author Gregg Shapiro writes regularly for the following publications:

afterelton.com, Chicago Free Press, HX (NYC), Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco), The Bottom Line (Palm Springs), In Newsweekly (Boston), Outsmart Magazine (Houston), Philadelphia Gay News, Watermark (Orlando/Tampa), Baltimore Outloud, Gay & Lesbian Times (San Diego), Xenogeny (Nashville), Outlook Weekly (OH), Lavender Magazine (Minneapolis), Dallas Voice, Illinois Entertainer, The Vital Voice (St. Louis), Q-Notes (the Carolinas), TWN (Miami) and others.

OUT MAGAZINE

The Howl Sessions
Steven Alvarado - Mott Street Records

Channeling Jakob Dylan and Matthew Sweet, crooner Steven Alvarado provides an enjoyable, if flawed, exercise in folk-rock conventions with his third album, The Howl Sessions. In thoughtful tunes like “Morphilia (A Girl I Knew)” and “Tea & Sympathy,” the openly gay, New York–based singer-songwriter brings to mind a certain cadre of musicians that belongs to an earlier decade, who made easy-on-the-ears music without flashy production or ear-splitting decibels. Alvarado’s sound is similarly unadorned. The sparse arrangements highlight the artist’s strong guitar playing and reflective and interesting lyrics, especially when he sings about gay romance in “Wildflowers.”

-Neal Broverman, Los Angeles

STEVEN ALVARADO
The Howl Sessions

Label: Mott Street Records
Genre: Indie - Release Date: 2005 - Catalogue No: MS001

Our Rating: Five Stars

“New York based STEVEN ALVARADO definitely has a knack for getting close to a good tune. He's a US singer songwriter in a long tradition with some mighty talents. TOM PETTY and BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN would be your K2 and your Everest… On that scale, he's worth a good second look.”

“I'm on his side because there's a technical roughness to the recording that puts the quality of the song and heart of the man right up to the front. Voice and guitar are both on the lumpy side. "Sessions" is an accurate title word. Drumming is basic, playing is rough and ready, the voice even shifts off the note now and then.”

“His approach to production is equally loose. The best of the songs have the universal quality that would make for good cover versions. "I'm tryin to Tell You" does sing out as a tune, with a good chorus. " Morphilia (A Girl I Knew)" gets a nice organ part going, and follows through with a bitter-sweet ballad that works well enough. "Wildflowers" has a big universal feel to it. "I Know You Loved Me" uses a mournful accordion to underpin a seafaring sort of song that invites close listening.”

“…In a head to head with JAMES BLUNT, I'd go for ALVARADO's gruff honesty any day.”

-Sam Saunders (Ireland)

© www.feeldesign.co.uk 2002 – 2005

STEVEN ALVARADO
"the howl sessions"
(Mott Street Records)

Ce songwriter n'en est pas à son coup d'essai et celui ci est transformé aisémment. Intimiste et habité, aidé par s'il vous plait Richard Barone (Bongos) un album attachant et personnel comme l'est Steven Alvarado. 10 titres d'égale facture, sans fioritures, simplement des chansons que l'on a envie de réecouter souvent.

"This songwriter performs songs that are intimate and lived in, assisted thank you very much by Richard Barone (Bongos) on an album that connects on a personal level like all songs by Steven Alvarado. 10 songs of equal quality, with no frills, simple songs that you will want to listen to over and over."

-Gerard Girard (France) www.rockandrollreport.com CANADA

Steve Alvarado - The Howl Sessions
Mott Steet Records

"The world of the singer-songwriter is a tough gig to conquer. Ever since Bob Dylan strummed, opined and whined charismatically to a cult of personality in the 1960s many have tried, but few have succeeded to create music that navigates the path between incisive social and emotional observation and self-indulgent and trite commentary."

"Steven Alvarado is another lonely traveller on that route. The Howl Sessions is Alvarado's third album and – his most prized recording so far. Alvarado was born in California, spent time in Nashville and now lives in New York. The influence of each of those locations shines through in his songs – there's the sweet folk of the west coast, the rueful country observations of the south and the intense concentration necessary for survival of any New York artist."

"Alvarado's voice exhibits an earnest quality that's compelling or disconcerting, depending on your point of view. While it doesn't have the obvious stains of hard living that exemplify the work of artists like Steve Earle, it fits comfortably with his soft acoustic, folk(s)y brand of music. Alvarado has managed to drag up an impressive cast of supporting musicians, including sometime collaborators of Rufus Wainwright, Nora Jones, Patti Smith, They Might Be Giants and Penny Arcade."

"The lyrics demonstrate a wariness with the state of the world; Wildflowers and I Feel the Rain continue the folk tradition of using nature as metaphor for hope and human triumph; Tea & Sympathy sounds like an extremely emotive Elvis Costello with an updated plea for peace, love and understanding."

"Alvarado's ability as a songwriter is without serious question; his music is on the subdued side, but consistent with his chosen politico-folk aesthetic. This is an album for those who appreciate the balance between restraint and agitation."

PATRICK EMERY (Australia)

Steven Alvarado – The Howl Sessions (Mott St Records)

"Lazy foot tappers aplenty get under your skin on this US artist’s current album, but it’s the more off kilter tracks that make the more pleasing impression; “Mad At the World” seems to contain an angry Japanese rant, presumably by Shoko Watanabe, and is set to a wonderfully fucked up chord sequence that is easily the standout for me on the recording.

Elsewhere you’ll find nods to Springsteen, tips of the hat to Ryan Adams and shades of Van Morrison amongst others..."

-Tone E, UK

"Singer-songwriter Steven Alvarado performs catchy Power Pop tunes fraught with self-examination and shy cynicism. Features jangling guitars, steady beats and occasional use of a Phaser Pedal. Similar artists include Elvis Costello & Matthew Sweet."

-Doug Russell, Rhapsody 411

THE DELI MAGAZINE

Steven Alvarado on Studio Recording
Interview by C. Jones

What is the one session you would bring with you on a desert island?

"Any of the stuff that Richard Barone has produced lately. Richard is a really creative producer and has a way of not getting in the way of the artist."

What advice would you give to a band that is entering the recording studio for the first time ever?

"Well- I would say have a plan. Map out what you want to accomplish each day so that you have a realistic idea of how much time you will need to complete your project. It's best to be as prepared as possible. Time fly's in the studio and it doesn't take long for you to eat up your entire budget.”

Many young artists tend to ignore any production or technical advice to pursue their own vision. How often does that pay off?

"You could probably make your own shirts, but they probably won't look very good, or fit too well. If you are working in a pro studio it's likely that you will be surrounded by people who are very good at what they do, you should take advantage of that."

With the advent of the lo-fi scene - many bands think that any crappy recording (and performance) can become a hit and that sound engineers are not necessary. What's your opinion about that?

"Many people hear these recordings that are really stripped-down and raw sounding and are astounded by them including me, but don't kid yourself. Those albums are recorded on some pretty amazing equipment and with microphones that cost five thousand dollars. There's a lot of work involved to get that kind of pure sound. But it goes beyond the equipment. A great engineer can make a below average artist sound great, which is really kind of a drag if you think about it. But a really great artist is probably going to sound pretty good even in a home recording situation. The technology has gotten really good. The problem is, you will never be as good as a pro engineer. They know how to record things in ways you don't. I've gone the DIY way in the past like everyone else and it's never as good as the studio. If you are really good, then you should treat your art like it's worth a damn and do it right. If you aren't willing to spend money on your own music, then probably no one else will be either. Including music fans."

What can producers add to the equation?

"It really depends on the artist. Producers are sometimes completely necessary, and sometimes completely superfluous. Some people need lots of direction and others have a very clear picture of what they want and how to get it. I have a handful of producers whose work I absolutely love, yet I have always produced my own albums. I couldn't imagine working with a producer on my own album. I fall into the category of knowing what I want and how to get it."

Is expensive gear really necessary to record great music?

"Expensive no, sophisticated yes. The problem is, sophisticated gear usually cost a lot of money. And even then, unless you have an experienced engineer, the equipment is only going to take you so far."

How do you see the contradiction of using expensive gear in the studio to make great sounding records that end up being listened via mp3, i.e. a very average sounding compressed audio format?

"Well-that's not the same thing. A great recording sounds pretty good on anything. But crap will always sound like crap. I like mp3's. I imported my entire music collection into my iBook & iPod a while back and I love it. And this is coming from a guy who has access to super high quality equipment."

What are your feelings about Mp3s in general?

"I like them. They have gotten better with mp4 etc. Anything you buy from iTunes is pretty high quality. The technology is only going to get better. I love to buy music online, it's easy and it's immediate. It doesn't have the physical limitations of a record store where they can only carry a certain number of CD titles. There is only so much rack space and only so many customers that live within a reasonable distance from that store to sell CD's to. The internet doesn't have those limitations. Every album recorded past, present and future will be available to anyone anywhere who wants to buy it. This means all the small obscure and unknown albums indies or majors, will make more money than the few hits. It's shear numbers. There are more misses than hits and the dollar value of the misses is greater than the dollar value of hits simply because there are more of them. This isn't futuristic thinking, this is today, right now. iTunes, Amazon and Netflix have built their entire business on this idea. Even though the misses only sell/rent one or two copies, the number of the misses is endless and they can carry every single title because they don't need to build physical retail outlets. This all started with the internet and selling things online, but when mp3's came along they gave it a jolt. So like I said, I like them and they will only get better. The record companies are already gearing up for this new way of releasing and buying music. CD's will be gone in five years."

What's the band/artist that changed your life?

"God, there have been several. I love Gillian Welch, Patty Griffin and Sam Phillips. Sam's my favorite-I worship the ground she walks on, seriously. Back in the day, I was a huge U2 fan from the beginning. They were really it for me back then. These days it's anything stripped down and honest with a good voice."

Popsided Magazine calls Steven Alvarado "...fresh and original" and "...a warm voice...a first rate songwriter...a first rate producer." "Work overtime and pay list price if you have to!"

"Alvarado has a fresh and unconventional approach...Great Voice."

"Loved his voice. ...Alvarado has the potential for something really big."

POPSIDED MAGAZINE-****
Four Stars

Some of you may remember Alvarado's solo debut Mercy on Del-fi. It was a fine record that set his warm voice and first rate songwriting against a backdrop of AOR style pop. With his sophomore effort, bleed, he has grown considerably, not only as a songwriter and musician, but as a first rate producer as well. Songs like "We Can Make It" and "Now I'm Cynical" would be right at home on an early Matthew sweet record, while "Just A Boy" sounds like Warren Zevon trying a Tom Petty song on for size. Steve's current Nashville home has rubbed off on him a bit as well, on both the wonderful "Just A Little" and the heartfelt "You And I."

The playing throughout is top-notch, with nice Hammond B-3, piano, trumpet and percussion fills keeping things fresh and original. When Alvarado sings, "I got a gun and a bullet/A preacher and a pulpit," it's like he's taking one through the heart. The crimson may run deep on bleed, but his soul and band keep it all alive.