Artist InformationBiography
Steven Bowers
A captivating performer with a powerful, versatile voice, Steven Bowers has solidified his reputation as a gifted songwriter, singer and producer.
His latest release, an EP titled "Circadian Anthem", delivers five brand new self-penned songs, and a fresh take on his song "Comfortably Sweet", featuring Christina Martin on lead vocal. "Circadian Anthem" is produced by Halifax's own Dale Murray (Cuff The Duke, Christina Martin, The Guthries).
His latest full length CD, "Homing", nominated for 2009 ECMA Folk Recording of the Year, showcases eleven folk-roots songs, most penned solely by Steven Bowers. A finalist in the 2008 International Songwriting Competition, Bowers earned "Honorable Mention" for his song "Bees In Jars", while opening track, “The Boy Who Lost An Eye” delivered a semi-finalist designation in the 2007 ISC and was the subject of a music video made as part of the Atlantic Film Festival's "10x10 program", under the guidance of LA filmmaker Norwood Cheek. The title track (Homing), a duet with singer Meaghan Smith, was inspired by Halifax writer-broadcaster Stephanie Domet's novel of the same name but its roots stretch back several years. "I watched a special on the Discovery Channel about pigeons and sparrows and other birds who fly into buildings and die because they think they are flying into the horizon. It was very sad," Bowers says. "That image stuck with me and seemed almost too easy a metaphor for people who flock to cities from small towns. Also, pigeons move and weave through people's feet on the busiest of streets here in the city. They go unnoticed, just trying to find some food and make a life for themselves. As a songwriter they are perfect fodder for my incessant need to find despair in something and give it a voice."
With his song “It Breaks You So”, Bowers peers into the future and captures all of the sentiment of an enduring love. "Homing" also features several collaborative works, including "Salesman", a co-write with Canadian songwriting icon, Ron Hynes; "Bury Me By the River", a co-write with band mates Kev Corbett and Keith Mullins; and "Backroads of Heaven", a co-write with well-known pianist, Kim Dunn.
"Homing" features performances from a stellar line up of musicians including JP Cormier, Meaghan Smith, Carmen Townsend, Ed Woodsworth, Dave Gunning, Fleur Mainville, Colin Grant, Kim Dunn, Dale Murray, Cathy Porter, Keith Mullins, Kev Corbett and Jason Mingo. "Homing" was produced, recorded and mixed by Steven Bowers and Dave Gunning at Gunning’s Wee House of Music, and mastered at Joao Carvalho Mastering in Toronto. The "Homing" CD artwork layout and design is by Mat Dunlap, with artwork concept and illustrations by Sydney Smith.
Steven's 2006 folk-pop release, "Tired Light" delivered nominations for 2007 ECMA Pop Recording Of The Year, 2006 MusicNS Songwriter Of The Year, Pop-Rock Recording Of The Year and won the 2006 MusicNS Producer Of The Year Award (with co-producers Matt Miller and Keith Mullins).
"Tired Light" features 10 songs from Steven Bowers and performances by Hot Toddy’s Thom Swift and Tom Easley, cellist Tim Isaac (Isaac & Blewitt), pedal steel player John Campbelljohn, guitarist Jamie Robinson, pianist Kim Dunn, keyboardist Aaron Collier and vocalist Meaghan Smith, along with Acoustic Theft members, Keith Mullins, Kev Corbett and Jason Mingo.
Several of the songs on "Tired Light " are the result of Bowers’ collaboration with other writers, including popular folk artist Dave Gunning, guitarist Jamie Robinson, and a duet/co-write with Ron Hynes.
Equally exciting as a solo artist or in performance with his band - The Acoustic Theft, Steven Bowers’ talent and diversity are evidenced by the artists with whom he has shared the stage - including Ron Hynes, Blackie & The Rodeo Kings, Bruce Guthro, The Arrogant Worms, Spirit Of The West, Dave Gunning, Justin Rutledge, George Canyon, MIR, Wintersleep, The Trews, Default, Jully Black, Joel Plaskett Emergency, JP Cormier, Jimmy Rankin, Matt Mays, Lennie Gallant and more.
Steven Bowers has captured a strong following in venues throughout Atlantic Canada and beyond. A frequent guest on radio and TV programs, he's also been featured at events such as Junofest, Canadian Music Week, New Glasgow Jubilee, Stan Rogers Folk Festival, Atlantic Film Festival, MusicNS Bringin’ It Home Tours, ECMA Songwriter Circle, Songwriter Association of Canada's "Bluebird North", among others.
Steven Bowers received a Best New Artist nomination from MusicNS in 2002 for his debut EP "In Theory" and won their 2004 Producer Of The Year Award (with co-producer Dave Gunning) for his full-length sophomore disc "Wanderlust". Several tracks from "Wanderlust" made the Top 10 on the nationally syndicated East Coast Countdown radio program, with his song “Run Aground” identified as the # 9 song of 2004.
“Bees In Jars”, the lead single from "Tired Light", landed on the nationally syndicated East Coast Countdown Top 10 chart right out of the gate, held the #1 spot for two weeks and remained in their Top 10 for 13 consecutive weeks. His follow up single, "Only One" (a duet/co-write with Ron Hynes), went to #4 on the East Coast Countdown.
An in demand co-writer for other artists, Steven Bowers co-wrote “Taking Turns” and “Fade On The Line” with Dave Gunning for Gunning’s latest CD “House For Sale”.
Steven Bowers' CD "Homing" has received significant airplay at CBC, specialty and folk radio programs across Canada and generated nominations for Folk Recording, Songwriter and Producer of the Year from 2008 Music Nova Scotia Awards.
Steven Bowers was born in Newfoundland, raised in Labrador, and now lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Hi res photos available at www.stevenbowers.com or by request from lynnhorne@ns.sympatico.ca
Steven Bowers - Awards/Achievements:
2009 ECMA Folk Recording of the Year nomination for "Homing" CD
2008 International Songwriting Competition Finalist (for "Bees In Jars" from "Homing" CD)
2008 MusicNS Award nominations for Songwriter, Folk Recording and Producer Of The Year for "Homing" CD
2007 International Songwriting Competition Semi-finalist (for "The Boy Who Lost An Eye")
2007 MusicNS Award nomination for Folk-roots Recording of the Year for "One Night In January - Songs for the IWK" (Various artists - produced by Steven Bowers)
2007 "Rock Star" Award from Pictou County Tourism Association
2007 ECMA Pop Recording Of The Year Nominee (Tired Light)
2006 MusicNS Producer Of The Year Award (Tired Light)
2006 MusicNS Songwriter Of The Year Nominee(Tired Light)
2006 MusicNS Pop Rock Recording Of The Year Nominee (Tired Light)
2006 Junofest Showcase
2005 Canadian Music Week Showcase
2005 ECMA Sneak Peek Rising Stars Showcase
2004 MIANS Producer Of The Year Award (Wanderlust)
2002 MIANS Best New Artist Nominee (In Theory)
Steven Bowers – Career Highlights Jan. 2007 to July 2009
Jan. 7/07 – Produced the “One Night In January – Songs for the IWK” Concert & “live”
CD (featuring nine songwriters from Atl. Canada. (Catherine, McLellan, Old
Man Luedecke, Carmen Townsend, Matt Andersen, Kev Corbett, Steven
Bowers, Charlie A’Court, Dave Gunning, Ron Hynes)
Jan./07 – “Blind Date With A Star” participant @ World Trade Convention Centre
Jan. 15 – Featured on CBC radio’s “The Creators” series live concert at Studio H
w/ Amelia Curran. Broadcast on “Atlantic Airwaves” program (2 x repeat)
Feb 10/07 – Support act for Ron Hynes at Shannon Studio Theatre, Port Hawkesbury
Feb. 2007 – ECMA - Songwriter Circle (w/ Ron Hynes, Jully Black, Charlie A’Court and
Rose Cousins at Casino NS (CBC radio regional & national broadcast).
MusicNS Stage & Musicworld Stage (Steven Bowers & The Acoustic Theft)
Co-host for pre-televised portion of ECMA Gala Awards @ Hfx. Metro
Centre
Feb./07 – Released single “Only One” (duet/co-write w/ Ron Hynes) to radio in Atlantic
Canada (went to #4 on nationally syndicated East Coast Countdown)
Feb.26 - Mar.4/07 – Co-writing sessions with JD Fortune (INXS)
April/07 – “One Night In January – Songs For The IWK” CD released to radio, retail,
web (including song “Running Out of Things Not To Say” by Steven Bowers)
April/07 – Recipient of “Rock Star Award” from Pictou County Tourism Assn.
April/07 – MusicNS Bringin’ It Home Tour – Songwriter Circle
w/ Ruth Minnikin, John Campbelljohn, Norma MacDonald
April/07 – Placed 2 songs (co-written w/ D.Gunning) on Dave Gunning’s “House For
Sale” CD (“Taking Turns” and “Fade On The Line”)
May 3-19/07 - Six-stop theatre tour w/ Dave Gunning
June/07 – CTV Atl. region-wide IWK Telethon (Steven Bowers & The Acoustic Theft)
(incl. feature segment on “One Night In January-Songs For The IWK” CD)
July/07 – Privateer Days Festival - Main Stage (Steven Bowers & The Acoustic Theft)
July/07 – Privateer Days Festival - “Songwriter Circle” (Astor Theatre)
w/ Ron Hynes, JP Cormier, Jason MacDonald
Aug/07 – New Glasgow Jubilee Festival - Steven Bowers & The Acoustic Theft
w/ Downchild Blues Band, Joel Plaskett Emergency
Aug/07 – CTV (National) “Good Morning Canada” featured performer (solo)
Nov/07 – Nova Scotia Music Week – MusicNS award nomination for “Folk-roots Recording” for “One Night In January - Songs for the IWK” (produced by Steven Bowers). Official Showcase Artist – Steven Bowers & The Acoustic Theft
Dec/07 – Performances in Fort McMurray, AB – various venues
Jan/08 – Produced “One Night In January – Songs for the IWK, Vol. 2” Concert & CD featuring nine NS based songwriters (JD Fortune, Dave Gunning, Steven Bowers, John Campbelljohn, Slowcoaster, Rebekah Higgs, Jon Landry, Ruth Minnikin and Kev Corbett) at Glasgow Square Theatre, New Glasgow.
Feb/08 – In The Dead of Winter Festival, Halifax – Songwriter Circle & Main Stage
Feb/08 – ECMA – Roots Room Showcase, CD Plus Fanfest, East Coast Countdown Supershow
April - May/08 – Regional touring w/ artists including Meaghan Smith, Mathew Barber, Don Brownlow, Rob Zabo, Craig Cardiff
June/08 – Fort McMurray, AB – return engagement 3 shows (various venues)
June 27, 2008 –Steven Bowers “Homing” CD received and “on sale” date (stage, direct mail)
July/08 – Stan Rogers Folk Festival – various stages, song circles
Aug/08 – New Glasgow Jubilee w/Jully Black and Matt Mays & El Torpedo
Aug/08 – The Carleton - CD Release Celebration for “Homing”, regional media campaign and tour kick off
Sept/08 – Performed on Bruce Guthro's Songwriter Circles in Halifax and Antigonish, w/ Bruce Guthro, Coco Love Alcorn, Valdy
Nov/08 - MusicNS/ Nova Scotia Music Week official showcase artist and award nominations for Songwriter, Folk Recording and Producer of the Year.
Feb/09 - ECMA official showcase artist (Bluebird North & MusicNS stage) and nomination for Folk Recording of the Year
March/April '09 - Produced and hosted the Whisky Hymnal Tour Songwriter Circle through 10 theatres in NS w/Christina Martin, Norma MacDonald and Kev Corbett
June '09 - On line release of "Circadian Anthem" EP
July '09 - performed Stan Rogers Folk Festival
For more info and music visit:
www.stevenbowers.com
www.sonicbids.com/stevenbowers
www.myspace.com/stevenbowers
www.youtube.com *search* Steven Bowers
Special thanks to www.garrisonguitars.com and www.sennheiser.ca
Media/management contact:
Lynn Horne
Lynn Horne Marketing & Media Relations
902.465.3763
lynnhorne@ns.sympatico.ca
Steven Bowers - Career Highlights - 2006
Jan-Feb-Mar./06 – Recording/producing third CD (Steven Bowers “Tired Light”)
Jan. 19/06 – OA for The Trews @ Membertou Trade & Convention Centre, Cape Breton
Mar./06 – Junofest Showcase w/ Ron Hynes, Matthew Barber
Mar./06 – MusicNS Bringin’ It Home Tour w/ Dave Gunning, Meaghan Smith
May 26/06 – “Tired Light” CD received & released for website and stage sales
June/06 – Tired Light CD shipped to record retail through Landwash Distribution.
June/06 - Released single “Bees In Jars” to strong radio support throughout Atl. Canada
(held #1 spot for 2 weeks and Top 10 for 13 weeks on East Coast Countdown)
June/06 – Tired Light CD Release Concerts in Halifax, New Glasgow, Truro
June/06 – Much Music “Going Coastal” feature interview and live performance
June 20 - 23/06 –Tired Light CD Release Concerts in Toronto
(Free Times Café, Renaissance Café, SongCircle w/ Andrea England +
more)
Aug./06 – New Glasgow Jubilee (Steven Bowers & The Acoustic Theft)
w/ Wintersleep, Default & more
Aug./06 - Aug./06 – O/A for Ron Hynes Band @ Pogue Fado, Halifax
Sept. 20/06 – Received MusicNS Award nominations for Producer of the Year,
Songwriter of the Year and Pop-Rock Recording of the Year
Oct./06 – Featured artist for month of “Tuesday Sessions” Series at The Seahorse
Nov. 11/06 – Featured on NS Music Week “Songwriter Circle”
w/ Jimmy Rankin, JP Cormier, Jill Barber, Rylee Madison
Nov.12/06 - Winner of MusicNS “Producer of the Year Award” (Tired Light)
(w/ co-producers Matt Miller & Keith Mullins)
Nov. 12/06 –Performer at NS Music Week “After Party” (Steven Bowers & The Acoustic Theft)
Nov. 25/06 – Co-bill concert w/Matt Andersen @ Glasgow Square Theatre
Dec. 1/06 - Live performance and interview on Q104 radio “remote” from Mic Mac Mall
Dec. 12/06 – Received nomination for ECMA Pop Recording of the Year (Tired Light)
For more info and music visit:
www.stevenbowers.com
www.sonicbids.com/stevenbowers
www.myspace.com/stevenbowers
www.youtube.com *search* Steven Bowers
Special thanks to www.garrisonguitars.com and www.sennheiser.ca
Media/management contact:
Lynn Horne
Lynn Horne Marketing & Media Relations
902.465.3763
lynnhorne@ns.sympatico.ca
Instrumentation
Steven Bowers (Solo) - acoustic guitar, vocals, *piano (*if avail)
Steven Bowers & The Acoustic Theft (Full band) :
Steven Bowers - acoustic/electric guitars, lead vocal, piano
Keith Mullins - drums, percussion, vocals
Kev Corbett - bass guitar, vocals
Fleur Mainville - violin, vocals
*Jason Mingo - electric guitar (if/when avail)
*Additional side players available as required e.g. pedal steel
Discography
2009 - Circadian Anthem (EP)
(incl. "Comfortably Sweet" featuring
Christina Martin)
2008 - Homing
(incl. "Bees In Jars", finalist in the 2007
International Songwriting Competition and
"The Boy Who lost An Eye", semi-finalist in the
2007 ISC)
2006 - Tired Light
- "Bees In Jars", 1st single at radio in Atl Can
- 13 wks @ Top 10 on East Coast Countdown
- "Only One" 2nd single at radio in Atl Can.
- hit #4 on East Coast Countdown
- MusicNS Producer of the Year Award
(Steven Bowers, Keith Mullins, Matt Miller)
2003 - Wanderlust
- radio single "Run Aground" named #9 song
of 2004 on East Coast Countdown
- MusicNS "Producer of the Year" Award
(Steven Bowers & Dave Gunning)
2001 - In Theory (EP)
Compilation CDS
2008 - One Night In January - Songs for the IWK
Volume 2. (produced by Steven Bowers &
Aaron Pellerine)
2007 - One Night In January - Songs for the IWK
(produced by Steven Bowers)
2006 - Collections Volume I (IWK Telethon CD)
2005 - Best of East Coast Countdown Vol. 1
2005 - ECMA Cape Breton 2005 Sneak Peek
2005 - Atlantic Film Festival Music & Image I
Steven Bowers songs on recordings by other artists:
Dave Gunning/House For Sale CD:
"Fade On The Line" ( co-written by Steven Bowers & Dave Gunning)
"Taking Turns" (co-written by Steven Bowers & Dave Gunning)
Dave Gunning/two bit world CD:
"Parallel Lines" (co-written by Steven Bowers & Dave Gunning)
Links
| http://www.stevenbowers.com |
| It Breaks You So - Video on Vimeo |
| Steven Bowers On Facebook |
| Steven Bowers Website |
| Steven Bowers Video - The Boy Who Lost An Eye |
| Steven's Myspace |