Bowers, Steven
Websites:
http://www.stevenbowers.com
Origin:
Baie Verte, Newfoundland - Labrador - Halifax, Nova Scotia
Biography:
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 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, 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.
myspace: http://www.myspace.com/stevenbowers
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Steven-Bowers/25177736673?ref=mf
