Feb 5, 2021
Steven Keene says his songwriting routine has never resembled work. To the contrary, he’s always written in the moment and as inspiration strikes. Yet he’s had a consistent and prolific songwriting career.
Steven grew up in Brooklyn New York, and honed his skills in the Greenwich Village scene of the late 80s, early 90s alongside Beck and other noteworthies.
The day we spoke, he had a new single out. That single was called “Cause I Can’t Have You.” Since then, the full album “Them & Us” has been released.
Steven toured regularly for years, but in 2019 decided to focus on writing and recording. He says he’s had the pleasure and good fortune of doing so with players who have worked with the likes of Lenny Kravitz, Bon Jovi, and Springsteen.
He told me that Dylan his #1 influence. Steven has actually played with a few of members of Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Review tour and backing band.
I had to ask Steven about playing at CBGB. He did not disappoint, sharing stories of gigs at there and The Bottom Line in the 90’s, alongside Beck.
We talk about his songwriting methods and routines, as well as his sentiments on the state of music amidst the pandemic. Yet Steven is thrilled to be recording and like all of us, he looks forward to a time when the music business has reshaped itself.
Please enjoy…