Sunday, July 13, 2008

Introducing: Seasick Steve

Appearing to be about in his mid-60s, blues guitarist Steve Wold, better known as Seasick Steve, has taken the UK by storm, just last year claiming the MOJO Award for Best Breakthrough Act. Playing as a one-man band, with a three-stringed electric guitar on his lap and a glorified wooden box/drum at his feet, Steve is the definition of stripped-down blues. Clearly gaining popularity due to the resurgence of electric blues fronted by The White Stripes and The Black Keys, along with his intriguing personal story of leaving Mississippi at 13 to travel on trains a real-life hobo, Seasick Steve went on to play more festivals in the UK in 2007 than any other artist that year and he played the Glastonbury main stage last month. He is currently signed to Warner Brothers and had previously been signed to two independent labels in 2004 and 2005 - 2007 respectively. I'd first read about Steve maybe a year ago, as he was garnering attention on the British festival circuit, but I never got around to writing about the guy.

I don't know if Seasick Steve has any plans to come back to America (he currently resides in Norway), but if his popularity continues to rise, I imagine that it will happen. Please enjoy this video of Seasick Steve performing on December 31, 2006 on the UK TV program Later with Jools Holland. This is the appearance that elevated him from obscure unknown to an overnight sensation. Look for Paul Weller smiling in approval at 1:52:



Related: Seasick Steve played Scotland's T in the Park Festival this weekend.

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