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Artist Interview- Steve Parsons:
1. (keith from Indieheaven) Steve, how are things going for you there in the UK? Tell us about a typical day in the life of Steve Parsons.
(steve) Busy! Of course there's a big difference between being 'busy' and being 'fruitful' - but trying to accomplish significant things requires a decision to get focussed and that leads to a good, healthy kind of activity. And so for that reason, a typical day starts for me in quietness and reflection. I try to give some quality time to prayer, reading and listening before I get busy. I usually take a walk and get some exercise. After that I get into my tasks. Writing, admin, meetings, rehearsal, organisation. Of course if I'm on the road it's a little different with gigs to focus on, although the basic elements are the same. I still maintain a quiet time. Still exercise and always travel with my laptop to try and stay on top of my admin. I'm also a husband and dad to a couple of beautiful young kiddies so life really is busy!
2. (keith from Indieheaven) I see you have a new project called "Beautiful Broken World." Tell us about the project and if there is a theme to the project.
(steve) "Beautiful Broken World" was a labor of love. Over the years I have recorded several albums and some of these have been done quite quickly. And that can work well. But for this record I wanted to step back, slow down and think about what I wanted to say. I just took my time and so from writing the songs to having a finished record it took 2 years. I think the theme of the record is finding beauty in the broken. The world we live in is broken. It's a mess. It's not the way God ever intended it to be. But we can find beauty here too. We can walk with God and find his healing and restoration both personally and in wider society. The message of Christ is one of enduring hope.
3. (keith from Indieheaven) What is your favorite song from the project, and why?
(steve) It's really hard for me to pick a favourite song. We all respond to different songs for different reasons. Right now I am enjoying listening to and performing "Gonna Be There." It feels like an uplifting song to me. I also enjoy performing a much more reflective song called "Dirt" which is about a real girl who was bullied at school. People are always moved by that song when I play it live.
4. (keith from Indieheaven) I noticed you are an active artist who performs live often. How does that happen for you? How do you find your opportunities? Are you a full time artist, or part time?
(steve) I've been a full time indie artist for 17 years. Several years ago I also took a part time position as Associate Pastor of Christian Life Church in Bollington. So there's a lot of juggling schedules. Because my work with the Church is part-time I'm able to travel a lot, both throughout the UK and overseas. Opportunities come in a variety of ways but the main way for me is by building relationships with people. I push a lot of doors, email people, call people, give CD's away to Pastors. But a key thing for me is that I'm not just looking for another "gig" in my calendar. I want to be a resource that people can bring in to help them in their mission. I also try and be really open to playing in different environments. Churches, Colleges, Prisons, Coffee Houses, wherever there are people wanting to listen!
5. (keith from Indieheaven) Do you ever get to come to the USA? How often, and where do you perform in the states?
(steve) My wife is American and so I've been coming to the USA annually for about 12 years. Again, over the years I've built up relationships with people. I've taken the time to get to know a good number of Pastors and other Artists and that's lead me to play and minister all over the Country.
6. (keith from Indieheaven) Let's talk songwriting, because in my opinion, your songs are so well written. Tell us about the process.
(steve) It's all a bit of a mystery to me. I think there's a certain amount of inspiration. Certainly at times I've been struggling with a song and prayed for inspiration and it seems to have come. But having said that, you also have to sit down as a writer and work at it. I don't like writing songs too quickly. I'd rather take my time and think it through and hopefully that stops things becoming too cliche. Often I'll start by getting a melody and some words at the same time - some kind of hook. From there I'm just trying to figure it out. Walter Bruggeman said that "to bring a message from elsewhere, we have to spend a lot of our time elsewhere." I think that applies well to spiritual songwriting. You have to spend a good deal of time reflecting and pondering.
7. (keith from Indieheaven) I love your productions, I've always been a big fan of your music. Are you self produced? Explain the process.
(steve) That's very kind. I've always been a big fan of indieheaven too! I guess when you boil it down, I am a guy with a guitar and a piano who writes songs. So there are tons of ways that these songs can be dressed. I enjoy producing and arranging and so have always taken an active role in the production. But I usually bring in someone else to co-produce because I need some independent, objective input. On this record I used a great guitarist and producer, Dan Wheeler who is a close friend and he was really honest with me about what he liked and what he didn't like. You've got to trust someone to be honest when something is not good enough. I usually would start by making a demo of my song and then take it to Dan to work on and refine. We would bring in various players. As an indie artist I think you've got to get the right balance when it comes to your recording budget. Albums can be financial black holes if you are not careful. But I think that if you can surround yourself with high calibre people they will bring out the best in your music - even if you can only afford to hire them for a short amount of time. Mostly we recorded this project at my house and Dan's house using protools. We only went in to a couple of studios for some extra things including the mix. I hired Grammy Award winning engineer/producer Julian Kindred to mix the record and I think it turned out really well.
8. (keith from Indieheaven) You have been a member of Indieheaven for a long time, and we appreciate that! Why have you continued to be a member?
(steve) I think indieheaven makes it easy to get your music out there to people. I think as an indie artist you've got to make your presence felt in as many good places as you can and indieheaven provides you with a well designed artist page, great digital sales deal and a host of neat tools to use in promoting your music. I also like the fact that you can tailor the way that you use indieheaven to fit with your own strategy. You can use as many or as few of the features as you want to. It also comes back to what I was saying about relationships. I've been to your offices, sat and had coffee and talked with you guys and I know that you're the genuine deal. (plus, I ran sound for one of steve's performances in Franklin, TN a few years back. Mixes of that show are on Steve's Indieheaven profile- keith:) You want to empower indie artists, so there's a sense of mutual respect and of shared goals and values.
9. (keith from Indieheaven) What are your dreams and passion? What rocks your world?
(steve) My passion is to change people's lives. I know that sounds a bit grand but it really does motivate me. Seeing people connect with God.
I am also hugely motivated by the need to end the injustices of the world. I want to see God's Kingdom actually come and His will actually being done here on earth. And I think my part in that is to go to work every day. To use whatever gifts and talents I have and make myself available to God. One of things you learn quickly as an indie musician is that your motivation better be right. It is hard work! But you can have a career and make a living if you apply yourself to your mission. And what better reason to work hard than to know that you're working for God? To step out and take some risks for a cause bigger than yourself?
10. (keith from Indieheaven) Any final words for our readers?
(steve) Well, for those readers who are indie artists I guess I would encourage them to stick at it. If you believe in your music and your songs, then the chances are some other people will too. And you may never fully know the way your music is touching their lives. If you are not a member o Indieheaven, come and join indieheaven. I think there's a lot here that can help you in your mission. And for readers who are not artists I would really encourage them to explore and support independent christian music. There are some amazing songs and artists out there. Thanks!
WEBSITES:
Learn more about Steve Parsons and his music over on his Indieheaven Profile
Steve Parsons Website
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