Video: Steevan Mars on Bandcycle in Morristown

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Steevan Mars, performing for Bandcycle at Gallery Egan in Morristown. Photo by Jake Byk
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You never know who will roll through Morristown these days.  This week, it was Bandcycle, a team of 20-somethings biking across America to shoot videos of local musicians. Their very first piece will showcase Morristown singer-songwriter Steevan Mars. Turns out a lot of people are discovering this talented performer…

MorristownGreen.com: Hi Steevan. The last time we had the pleasure of hearing you perform was at our MG Music Fest last fall. A lot’s happened since then, including some new songs and an exciting gig coming up this month. But first, let’s talk about a command performance you gave this week at Gallery Egan. How did it feel becoming the first act on the Bandcycle cross-country web show?

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Steevan Mars, performing for Bandcycle at Gallery Egan in Morristown. Photo by Jake Byk

Steevan Mars: It was an honor, really. Those guys are really cool dudes and I wish them well on their journey across the country.

MG: Have you ever played a room as intimate as Gallery Egan?

Steevan Mars: Yes, I have — Gallery Mars — my bathroom. It has been the venue of choice for when I can’t get a gig somewhere else. My kids are always the best audience at that venue. No, seriously, Gallery Egan is a great space for the acoustic thing. I had a great time.

MG: Cool. Now, what’s this we hear about you at the Stanhope House?

Steevan Mars: Yes, the Stanhope House is finally reopened and it’s been renovated. I think it is going to be one of the area’s best venues. I played there a few weeks ago and will be playing again, along with my
producer/guitarist, Tim Quick, at their official grand opening on Saturday, Sept. 11.

Tim and I have been recording singles and digitally releasing them monthly on iTunes, CDBaby, Amazon, Rhapsody, etc. We released three singles so far and have three more to go.

MG: Okay, now let’s talk about these new songs. What did you learn while making your first CD that helped you on this project?

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Steevan Mars at Gallery Egan in Morristown, taping a webisode for Bandcycle.com. Photo by Jake Byk

Steevan Mars: Well, as I said, the new material is more or less singles but they are part of a compilation called That was Then This is Now Again. I decided to release them as digital singles as I finish them, rather than waiting months and months for the finished whole product.

So far, it’s going well and selling great on iTunes. Digital downloads are where it’s at and for artists, it’s cheaper than having CDs made. The first CD was filled with guitars (me playing all of them), and the songs were a little long.

This time around I had the help of some great feedback by Gene Foley (Entertainment/Booking Agent for the Stanhope House) and incredible production by Tim Quick. He plays all guitar parts on the songs. I wanted the singer/ songwriter in me to be in the forefront, with lyrics/melodies out in front of the guitars.

I’m a heavier player than Tim, and he was the perfect guitarist for these new songs, simply because he plays with an understated finesse, as opposed to my heavy hands. The songs are shorter, tighter arrangements, less musical nonsense and very emotional. I think it’s my best work so far.

MG: How would you characterize this series of songs for someone who has never heard
you before?  Who would you compare yourself to?

Steevan Mars: Music is so subjective. I can’t compare myself to anyone. It’s my own style and I draw on all kinds different musical tastes from Brit Pop to Alternative Rock to Singer/Songwriter. Just a guy and guitar singing his heart out.

It’s songs that hopefully make you feel whatever you are going through in life, you won’t feel alone. A lot of my lyrics are taken from other people’s lives, not just mine. I want my songs to be universal and singable in the shower.

MG: Talk a little about how you came up with these songs. Were they written quickly, in a bunch, or did they evolve over time?  Was there any particular event or events that inspired them?

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Steevan Mars performs at Gallery Egan in Morristown, for webisode on Bandcycle.com. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Steevan Mars: They all evolved over time, some I’ve been holding onto and waiting for the right time to record, some I’ve been playing live for a few years, and some I’ve written inside the recording studio.

I just write songs all the time, it’s in my blood — inspiration is overated. I’m rarely “inspired.”  it’s a discipline, really. If you wait for inspiration to write a song, you’d be writing it for the wrong reasons.

MG: You’ve been honing your craft since age 11.  Does song writing get any easier over time?  Does your day gig provide any musical fodder?

Steevan Mars: Well, like I said, it takes discipline to hone the craft. But I think it gets harder over time, because you are always trying to better yourself and that gets harder and harder. My day gig is great, I love my job now that I am in a marketing company, there are more creative people around me, but honestly, the two are completely separate outlets for me. And of course, one pays the bills a lot better than the other. Guess which one?

MG: You have been performing as a solo artist for quite a while, after playing with the Liquid Church band, and before that, with Joyseed.  Which do you prefer–solo or bands–and why?  Have you thought about starting another band?

Steevan Mars: I love to do both but I would prefer to have a band. I like the camaraderie and especially to be able to recreate the songs as they were recorded would be great for me, personally. I’ve been solo just because
it’s easier to work and get things done. But there’s nothing like playing off of other musicians live. I miss that. And if I found the right fit, I don’t think I’d miss playing solo…

MG: You gave strong performances at the first two Morristown’s Got Talent shows. Are you going to take another shot at it?

Steevan Mars: I might and if I do, I would love to have some company up on the stage, maybe if I can coax Tim to do it with me. But he’s busy playing in Rock of Ages on Broadway and has other musical projects. I’ll have to start working on him now. He brings out the best in me.

MG: In our last interview you described the anxious moments that you and your wife Lourdes experienced with your young son, Danny, who was born with a rare heart condition. How is Danny doing?  Is he showing signs of following in his father’s musical footsteps?

Steevan Mars: Danny is our miracle and is an amazing 3 1/2 year old. He’s overcome so many obstacles in his little life already. He’s doing great, thank you for asking. I would love to see Danny and his little brother, Robby,
collaborate musically. They already show the signs — they both love the Beatles and they sing along to my songs, too. I bought Danny a ukulele for Christmas and he likes to sleep with it….when I was a kid, I did
the same thing with my first electric guitar.

MG: What’s the next musical project for Steevan Mars?

Steevan Mars: I am currently finishing up a new version of the song Long Time, which is on my first CD and that I played at the talent show three years ago. That should be done in time for an October release and then another song to record. Maybe start a band to play these songs, we’ll see. In the meantime, I am still trying the write the perfect pop song… one of these days.

MG: We’re betting on you! Thanks, Steevan.

READ MORE…

‘Bandcycle’ starts cross-country music video odyssey in Morristown

Countdown to the MG Music Fest: Meet Steevan Mars

Video replay: Steevan Mars concert at Scotti’s in Morristown

Wednesday webcast: Steevan Mars, live from Scotti’s in Morristown

Morristown singer Steevan Mars on coping with his son’s Long QT Syndrome

Mars on the rise in the music galaxy

Steevan Mars sings his own song (video)

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