Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Steve Larkman
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
I was just a young lad when I first heard Beatles ‘ I Wanna Hold Your Hand’ on an old Dansette record player. The combined sounds of the guitars, drums and voices changed my life forever. It was then I decided that, for better or worse, I would become a musician and songwriter.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
Hearing the sounds of the guitars, drums and voices on ‘I Wanna Hold Your Hand’ changed my life forever. It was then I decided that, for better or worse, I would become a musician and songwriter. I had a drum teacher who showed me the rudiments of playing a drum kit and some percussion which helped to awaken within me a love of rock music. Later I picked up a cheap ‘Union Jack’acoustic guitar (the hitch – hiker) and learned how to make a tune, understand chords and eventually to start writing songs.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
I was jammin on the Gibson SG and came up with the intro riff, I thought that it sounded nice ‘n bluesy and I continued to write lyric, melody and chords in the vein. Then I made up characters such as Dolores and Encino to sing the blues with and about how I’d lost all my money, my house and my girl through gambling. I added instruments and drums in the vibe and produced the song.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
My musical path has been incredibly diverse, from Punk Rock to Swing and Jazz. Also, I love and have been influenced by Sinatra, Bob Dylan, Michael Jackson, Bowie and the Beatles through to Roy Orbison and of course, Elvis. Listening to all of these great artists perform and write songs moved me hugely and of course influenced and shaped my current musical output and sound. Also, over my working life as a live act, I learned and sang many of those great songs as part of my live performances in clubs and bars.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
It gradually dawned on me that the process of making records is 1% ‘inspiration’ and 99% ‘perspiration’! – (although you can have loads of laughs and fun along the way 🙂
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
I use a Gibson SG Electric and J45 Acoustic guitars. Also, for songwriting, there’s my trusty Norman acoustic with a Fishman pick-up fitted. My Mother keyboard is a Yamaha MO6 which is used in my ProTools DAW setup. I’m running a tower PC with an Audiophile stereo Soundcard for midi and audio In/Out. I use a TL Audio ‘Crimson’ 2 channel Pre-Amp with EQ and Compression and ‘Acoustic Energy’ monitors with the standard ‘Auratone’ for mono balances. There is various percussion around the place which is often used to find another texture.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
Alla Igityan and ‘Things You Think About’ is a catchy number I heard recently on a spotify playlist, also I like a lot of what Daft Punk do and then again I like Sinatra and Dylan. If I ever do actively listen to music it’s usually in the car and something I’m working on at the time.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
I was honoured to work with Hilton Rosenthal, a legendary figure behind Paul Simon’s Graceland. Hilton and his son, Nick had started a new company, Split Sounds, in 2019 and one of its first initiatives was Cover In A Week. They advertised that they were looking for unique and interesting versions of great songs. This was a worldwide initiative and the first of my cover versions they chose was Be My Baby, I was over the moon to be chosen. Both Nick and Hilton were absolute professionals and clear about what they were looking for. They then asked me if I had material to record a complete album of Covers and together we created The Steve Larkman Cover in a Week Sessions which was mastered by Hilton’s son Nick then released on Hilton’s label Split Sounds. I would say that one of the biggest lessons I took from working with Split Sounds is that creating great sounding music needs incentive, total conviction and most of all, hard work.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
I try to write about how most of us feel in certain situations and I hope the music and lyrics in my songs evoke an emotional response, whether that’s sadness or longing – or Joy!.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
To work patiently and with humility, both are great assets when creating any music, either solo or along with others.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
Glastonbury would be great fun, I’d go on on after ‘Chic’ but before Oasis!
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
It would be to hear Elvis knocking out some rock and roll and a couple of ballads in the recording studio. Also I would like to be there when Deep Purple’s Richie Blackmore records his guitar solo on ‘Highway Star’ also to record with Roxy Music and David Bowie. I did once work along side Mick Ronson in the studio, what a feeling! Plus he was a great guy and a fantastic guitarist and Producer.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music?
Here’s a few web pages where they can find out more:
https://www.instagram.com/stevelarkmanmusic/?hl=en
https://stevelarkman.bandcamp.com
https://artists.spotify.com/c/artist/451tRc86Zp28twMLVHv22v/profile/overview
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/steve-larkman/65034279
https://www.facebook.com/stevelarkmanmusic/?locale=en_GB
https://www.youtube.com/@stevelarkmanmusic
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
To write and record better and better songs and to find and please a wider, hopefuly global audience for my music.
