Steven Paul CLisset

Steve got his first guitar by stealing what was intended as a Christmas gift for his older brother at the age of 12. Self taught and drawn to the artists of the day including Peter, Paul and Mary, Joan Baez, and Bob Dylan at first, he eventually discovered and has been most influenced by Richie Havens and Joni Mitchell as evidenced in his penchant for open tunings in which he plays almost eclusively.

He has been most touched by compliments he recieved at an open mic where two different musicians commented that he sounded like a male Joni Mitchell, not so much in sound but in delivery and timing.

In addition to folk music he was blessed in high school with a gifted music teacher and sang in what was considered one of the best madrigal ensembles in NY State. That demand for excellence is something that has carried forward into his compositions making them varied, precise and interesting.

His music is an expression of his lifelong search for meaning. His lyrics reflect not so much a statement of the obvious ongoings of life that is often expressed in the music of today but a hopeful yearning of what we might be able to become.