Chances are you’ve seen Steve finger-picking his banjo guitar on the streets of Geelong or performing down at the Festival of Sails over the Australia day holiday. Recently we got the chance to sit down with the local musician about his brand new EP and his favourite spots to perform around Geelong, take note if you want to catch him in action!
Hi Steve, thanks for taking the time out to chat with Forte, how are you and what are you up to at the moment?
I’m flat out gigging at the moment with some great venues coming up. The Odyssey Tavern (Mt Duneed) , Fridays After Work at Little Malop St Mall, The Sand Bar (Ocean Grove) and Ivari Café (St Leonards). I’m also writing new material all the time, maybe some blues…
We saw you’ve just released your new EP, is it a good feeling being able to release some new music into the world?
Yes. It’s great to release the new EP OP Requests From Saltwater. This is my second release after the initial album, I Am What I Am (2012). Come to think of it, I must organise an official launch for the new EP in the new year. I’d like to thank Ade Kelly from the Geelong Folk Music Club for his great artwork and designs for the cover.
What can listeners expect from the release?
The new release has 4 original songs. Three of mine and one together with my co-writer Rick Wilkinson. ‘Leaves’ was written for the 60th anniversary of The Festival Of falling Leaves in May 2015. It was played on the radio stations up in the Snowy River Mountains and all over Southern NSW and Northern Victoria. ‘The Gold Diggers Plan’ I used to play at the Sovereign Hill Village up in Ballarat and it was written to commemorate the Gold Diggers. ‘Bellarine Wine’ I wrote the music and Rick wrote the lyrics. It’s a story about a soldier going to war and remembering his girlfriend. ‘Nightshade’ is a blues guitar instrumental.
You’ve played around Geelong for quite a while now, what is it you love about the region?
Geelong offers everything to me. We have the sea, the river, the people, the flamboyant mayor. In my opinion, it’s the festival capital of Australia. I have been living here now for 15 years and can’t see myself living anywhere else.
For those who have seen you perform live they’d know you’re also a banjo player, what made you decide to first pick up the banjo?
My Banjo is about 80 years old. It was given to me by a friend and at the time I was only playing guitar, keyboards and mouth harp. I thought, ‘Well I really should learn how to play the banjo’. My style is essentially three finger picking in the style of Earle Scruggs.
And you wrote a song about Molly Meldrum too, what made you decide to pen that song?
The song ‘Hey Hey Molly Meldrum’ was written about two years ago and I decided then that nobody had written a song about him. I put the video and song on Youtube and twitter etc and he replied through his agent that he enjoyed the song and was quite chuffed somebody had written a song about his life. This song is always requested everywhere I play.
Given you’ve played at so many Geelong venues, do you have a favourite spot to play?
Yes definitely, I have a few. One favourite is in the Little Malop St Mall. I gig there about 2 times a week and the people there are so appreciative. Another is the Geelong International Festival Of Sails down on the Geelong foreshore (January 25-26, 2015). I have played down there for four years now on Australia day. The Elephant and Castle is also a great place to play.
Later in January you’ll be performing at the Waterfront for Australia Day, if you weren’t performing that day how would you be celebrating the holiday?
Probably playing a few tunes somewhere and then spending the rest of the day with my family.
Thanks again for having the chat with us, is there anything you’d like to add before we finish up?
My aim next year is for a possible tour around Victoria and New Zealand, and maybe another album – if I have time. My future gig dates can be seen on my website: www.stevethew.com.au and www.reverbnation.com/stevethew.
When & Where: Odyssey Tavern – December 28 & Steampacket Stage, Waterfront – January 25 & 26.