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Steve Biegner
As the Orchestra Swells
(the lights go out)
This was not the voice I was expecting when I first heard the name Steve Biegner. It's superficial, I know, but when I walked in on one of Biegner's live performances last winter, I kind of expected to hear a jazz quartet fronted by a middle-aged (and possibly balding) man. Instead, I got some of the most riveting folk-pop I've heard in a while. The kid has a voice that just cannot be ignored. Whether swooning like Chris Martin or teetering between tears and an enraged scream like Conor Oberst, Biegner has a vocal sound that will entrench itself in your subconscious.
Some of the songs on Biegner's new album, "As the Orchestra Swells (the lights go out)," such as the opening track, "A Window, a Vault, a Pillar of Salt," are poppy as all get out, while others such as "Lenore" with its heady mythological references, belong more to the folk pantheon. But whether Biegner is setting his sights on mainstream pop stardom or singer-songwriter cult favorite status, he has, in my opinion, the potential to do big things. - Local Buzz
Steve Biegner is an American original. He has it all... great chops, visionary songwriting and a voice that can slay dragons.
- Nerissa Nields
- Nerissa Nields
Discography
"Manic Blue" (2003) LP Self-recorded, self-released
Quiet basement music that is harmony driven. From love songs to death songs.
"As the Orchestra Swells (the lights go out)"(2006)
Recorded by Dave Chalfant with a full band that included a drummer, upright bassist, special guest guitar work and piano-ing, and cello by Gideon Freudmann. From songs that whisper in your heart to songs that make it explode.
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Bio
Steve Biegner is an American original. He has it all... great chops, visionary songwriting and a voice that can slay dragons.
- Nerissa Nields
By the time Steve Biegner was 15 he had played at the Iron Horse, played with Stephen Kellogg and the Nields, and was on his way to releasing a solo album which would be Manic Blue. He had started out playing tambourine and egg shaker in his older cousin's band Smokejumpers, and soon moved on to accompanying his cousin's piano playing with guitar, sometimes drums and lush harmonies. Steve started noticing that a lot of his songs were becoming the crowd favorites. So when he turned 17 he released Manic Blue, some wintersoft basement songs that showcased his mature composition style and his soaring voice.
Steve played with Stephen Kellogg for a few shows at various colleges picking up fans along the way. He also played with the Nields after winning the title of Pioneer Valley Idol after singing Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" and ultimately sealing the deal with his own song "Circle Song" which showcased Steve's impressive range, starting very low eventually soaring into a high, strong falsetto that made some sopranos jealous.
Steve spent a while playing shows and garnering some attention, then turned to writing again. He met up with Adam Bach and Brian Sloan who became his upright bassist and drummer respectively. Steve jumped at the chance to arrange for more than just his voice and guitar and piano. After months of rehearsing and playing out as a trio, Steve decided it was time to make a nice record.
In September of 2005, he went into the studio with Dave Chalfant and recorded several songs, 14 of which came out almost a year later on "As the Orchestra Swells (the lights go out)," the just-ripe fruits of his recording endeavors. Some songs are hushed and quiet - just Steve, a guitar, and a couple of room mics. Others, like the grand "Prodigal Son" are big, lush works that feature string quartets, banjos, baroque style vocal harmonies, and a wall of guitars.
His music is reminiscent of Jeff Buckley; Jump, Little Children; Bright Eyes; Sufjan Stevens; and Nick Drake. Steve is inspired by all of these artists as well as Radiohead, Bjork, Tom Waits, Regina Spektor, Igor Stravinski, Steve Reich, Woody Guthrie, Johnny Cash, and many, many others.
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