Every once in a while we can bring a performer to campus whose reputation precedes him or her.  I learned of Nashville singer/song-writer Steely James froma student who stated, “you gotta get this guy, he’s really different and really good.” I listened to his myspace page and agreed. He’ll be playing at Java City on February 3rd to open our  Spring 2010 noontime concert series. 

I know you are currently living in Nashville but, can you tell us a bit about your personal and musical history?

I could write a book on this, and well may… My father had an old Vox bass that I played. I started… playing bass in bands around Ball State University, 45 min north of Indianapolis with some of the greatest musicians I’ve ever known. I took some music classes at Ball State under Frank Puzzullo. I also studied jazz bass at Bloom School of Jazz in Chicago, studied engineering at the Recording Workshop in Chillicothe Ohio… Book available soon.  About 5 years ago, I went through a musical transformation and found my songwriting muse. So, with a need to be near the recording studios… I moved to Nashville!

What bands or individual musicians have influenced you a musician?

My father gave me his record collection which consisted of classic progressive rock/jazz. So while other kids were listing to NSYNC or Guns and Roses, I was listening to Mahavishnu Orchestra, Yes, Kansas… the old stuff with 20 min songs. I’m also inspired by ethnic music, Spanish, Eastern Indian, Native American.

How would you define your particular musical style?

When you come to a Steely James performance you’ll hear a lot of blending and transformation from styles of Acoustic Blues/Rock to Eastern Indian Percussive Acoustics

What is your favorite sort of gig? What is your least favorite?

My fav…Playing at colleges, parties, and charitable events. My least fav… Playing outside in a festival tent when it’s 30 degrees and damp!

Can you talk a bit about being a songwriter and arranger? What inspires you?

Well, without a doubt… What inspires me is the divine presence I feel in all that surrounds us, and the magick of creating music… About being a songwriter? I’ve got a couple of things going. First, I write for myself, as an artist. Things I enjoy playing. Sounds I would enjoy hearing if I were to go out for an evening. Songs I’m recording for my upcoming CD. My other songwriting gig is writing songs that publishers push to major brand companies such as Office Max, Dell, I pod, Doritos, Budweiser, Clear Eyes…

How do you craft your material so as to fit into your band? What steps do take to create a finished song? I’m sure younger musicians would like to know.

First I come up with the groove, something I enjoy playing. Then I’ll come up with a vocal melody that sounds good with the groove. Then I come up with words or phrases that work with the melody and groove, and last, form the lyrical. Something interesting to me. Something I can sing and play at the same time. I don’t write a story “then” put music around it. It always sounds forced and unnatural to me.

What do you see for the future of the independent musical performer?

Back to the way it was! Traveling minstrels. Singing for our supper, a couple of pints of ale and a small bag of Silver. Of course, we don’t get the Silver the great minstrels of the past did. But we do enjoy corporate televisions’ need for songs and the nice checks and direct deposits.

I met you for the first time on MySpace. How does the Internet impact your music?

One thing I am doing is reaching out via the www to people in smaller communities to get info on local charities and such. Animal shelters, a local hospice, small schools in need of band instruments, environmental, agricultural, organizing festivals through a towns’ chamber of commerce to generate monies for town coffers… We get the local press involved, I bring out a few other artists from Music City and have a benefit concert. So the Internet is certainly a great way to connect although for me, most relationships are developed through live performances, recording sessions, writers nights, NSAI meetings, BMI, ASCAP etc.

Where have you been performing lately?

Wherever I have family and/or friends. Nashville, Bowling Green, Louisville, Indy, Chicago. I’d say Interstate 65 is my region!

Where do you want go with your music say, in the next five years? 

Interstate 40

Do you have a CD available? Are you currently working on a project?

Yes, you can click a link on MySpace www.myspace.com/steelyjames which will take you to an online pay store. There, you can purchase my Weeds EP. And Yes, a new CD is in the works, and I’m very excited to be working with producer Bill Warner of Warner Works here in Nashville. Incredible talent!

Thanks so much for taking time to talk to us.  Anything else you’d like to add?

If there are any motivated, capable organizers out there who want to help out with a “disaster relief benefit” for the charitable organizations active in Haiti, be in touch. Who will donate a venue? Be Blessed!

About the author:  Jack Montgomery is a librarian, author and associate professor at Western Kentucky University where he handles bookings for musical acts in University Libraries, Java City coffeehouse. Jack has also been a professional musician since 1969 and performs with a celtic quartet called Watersprite. Visit him at MySpace/shadowdancerjack