Born in Stirling, Scotland in the late 60s, Steve Brown first picked up the guitar at 8 years of age and rarely put it down. Being a part of various punk and rock bands in his early years, namely Political Asylum and Seeing Red, featuring Angie Cobb Townsend, Steve toured Europe, appeared on live Television and recorded and performed at iconic London venues. The Seeing Red album was produced by Nirvana/Foo Fighters engineer Ian Beveridge. Steve turned professional in ‘93 and formed the award-winning wedding band Wonderland which has been paying the bills ever since, having performed over 4,000 gigs to date.
In 1994 Steve was playing with Norwegian American singer songwriter Fjaere, performing at Abbey Road Studios, in front of George Martin and Bob Harris. This led them to playing in Japan later that year and Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow. Moving forward, Angie and Steve were reunited in 2011, reforming Seeing Red but six months later Angie was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer. Before she died, Steve offered to help Angie write and produce an entire album which she wanted to record for her daughters and family. Angie would bring the lyrics and vocal melodies — Steve would supply the instruments and produce the recording. In late 2016, the album ‘Butterfly’ came to be.
During lockdown, Steve got back to the roots and love of his musical creativity. He released a couple of albums and began studying under Chris Shreenan-Dyck, Michael Elsner and Gabriel Candiani – experts in the field of sync — placing music and songs in TV, film and ads. Steve has since landed deals with Sync agents, publishers and Warner Chappell production music.
Steve is happy to share his new-found knowledge with his studio clients, and in doing so, formed the online songwriting group, Serve the Song. This is where he met Barbara Cooper – who had the main idea for Steve’s debut country music release “ONE HIT SONG” – released on all platforms on 1st December 2022. During this single’s pre-release campaign Steve was invited to play the song at the GRAND OLE OPRY in GLASGOW. He also had fun talking about the backing singers that come in at the end of the song – all from the lockdown songwriting group – a German opera singer, Norwegian art gallery director, Danish school teacher, Cumbrian councillor and Glaswegian school cleaner.
Steve also plays in and manages Rush tribute band Moving Pictures and founded an annual Rush fan convention in 2014. RUSHfest Scotland has so far donated over £78,000 to cancer charities.
How did you get started, and what has led up to where you are today as an artist?
It all started when I was 8 and saw my big brother play a 12 string. I got a little 6 string for Xmas that year and never looked back.
Played in bands at High School and Uni and went full time in 1993, playing pubs, clubs and weddings to pay the bills – almost 30 years now. Wow!!
I’d formed a few original bands over the years with moderate success. Lockdown led me to produce for other songwriters and form an international
Songwriting group. I’ve met many wonderful writers and I’m now co-writing with a few. I’m a rocker at heart and lover of country too, old and new.
Who do you feel has influenced your sound the most?
For my country songs – Brad Paisley, without a doubt. I love his humour, guitar skills. A great inspiration.
What do you feel sets you apart from other artists and gives you your own sound?
A Scottish Brad Paisley wannabe – do you know any others? Lol.
What has been your biggest challenge and what do you feel you have learned from it?
The biggest ongoing challenge is trying to make a living from original music. I’ve learned to basically keep doing what you love – and I love gigging and making music. Success comes in many shapes and forms and often from areas least expected. I recently signed a Proclaimers cover that I recorded 20 years ago to a top sync publisher in LA!
Tell us about your latest project, what have you got going on at the moment?
Currently about to release my debut country single One Hit Song. Gigging fulltime as usual. Co-writing and producing follow-up singles and composing sync library music.
What advice would you give to anyone new coming into the industry?
Find your team. Even if you’re a solo singer songwriter, producer, performer – this industry is all about making connections and building your team.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank for getting you to where you are now, anyone you’d like to give a shout-out to?
My co-writers Barbara Cooper in Glasgow and Angela Ezeonyeka in Idaho and my wife Catherine.
How can fans find you?
On Social Media (my links are below)