Todd Steed and the Suns of Phere: News

Gig with RB Morris- Scott Miller- Jill Andrews- at Bijou- plus workshop in the day, Details to come. June 27 is the date, a nice sunday.

Info here: http://www.metropulse.com/news/2010/jun/16/local-music-sages-hold-workshops-bijou-jubilee/
Jubilee Welcomes Musicians, Friends and Fans!
Sunday, June 27, 11 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Jubilee 2010 festivities continue on Sunday with activities that celebrate our community's rich musical culture with talented performers who are favorites at the Bijou.

11 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Bijou's historic nooks and crannies. Tours held ever half-hour - Free

2 - 3 p.m. - Three of Knoxville's most talented songwriters—Scott Miller, R.B. Morris, and Jill Andrews—hold a workshop in a casual setting, talking about their creative process - $10

2 - 3 p.m. - WUOT's jazz coordinator Todd Steed hosts "Jazz 101" in the Bijou's upstairs gallery. Learn how to be a more educated listener and hear some of “must haves” from this connoisseur’s collection - $5

3:30 – 5 p.m. - Singer-songwriters Jill Andrews and Todd Steed have done their share of performing on the road, and WDVX program director Tony Lawson has listened to countless records. These music biz pros share their experience of touring, management, promotion, and ideas for getting radio play - $10

7 - 8:30 p.m. - Knoxville favorites Todd Steed, Scott Miller, R.B. Morris, and Jill Andrews have performed all over the world. Hear their stories and songs in unique collaborations perfect for the intimate setting of the Bijou Theatre - $10

Sunday's events are sponsored by the Tennessee Arts Commission.

Day Passes for Sunday's community events are $25, which includes a one-year membership to Friends of the Bijou.

Some new gigs coming up- see Calendar page- Ijams Nature Center and a July gig in Hot Springs!

In other news- filling in as host on All Things Considered on WUOT a couple of days per week. http://wuot.org
It's really fun- and working the board calls for great mindfulness.

Going to sit in THIS WEDNESDAY at Tennessee Shines with the House Band- a couple of surprises in store.
Hope everybody out there is fabuso.

Named numero uno local release in KNS:

http://www.knoxville.com/news/2009/dec/31/010110bestlocal/

Suns just back from a great trip to Asheville- we played with Ol Hoopty at the Grey Eagle.

There is a rock slide on I-40 so we took an alternate route- got to enjoy riding up and down mountains behind a not-speeding tractor.

After getting way too comfortable at the Holiday Inn Express on Tunnel Road- we woke up and headed down for the first of two suppers. Grey Eagle has GREAT cajun food, we ate one meal before and one after the show.

Set went well- though I think the audience was afraid to get too close to us less they get bitten with satire. Deck was in rare form- playing some incredible guitar on Petyon Manning Shirt - and Ed brought his I-phone and did some great bot moves during Is It Time?

Ol Hoopty rocked the house- and we headed back to zzzzz. Woke up this morning, lots of blogs start out that way.

While eating breakfast, we got in zen mode and started laughing at nothing. And everything. Bob left the waitress by the side of the river. (inside joke)

Back to the subaru- found ticket on the car, but it was just warning, which lead me to proclaim I LOVE ASHEVILLE at a louder volume. This resulted in someone across the street (old pal Will) who yelled: TODD STEED!

I went over there, gave him an Eskimo Hair and he gave me some pottery, which was beautiful.

Drove to Cosby- visited the apple farm, got a crapload of fabulous apples and apple related project. Then some poor tea and headed home.

I don't know, but that was about a perfect road trip except for the poor tea.

I love this time of year, though I get a bit maudlin.

I don't know what to add to that.

But- I am selling some guitars soon- watch this space!

Suns of Phere back in action- see show dates. Trio gig with HARRISON and RB MORRIS / Todd Steed on DEC 11 @ Square Room.

It's been a while, but we are back in action. First show up is AUGUST 23 at the Cider House (next to the Valarium in Knoxville)- We are opening for Cracker.

Their new record is fan-rock-tastic.

Smokin Dave played with Camper Van Beethoven back in the 80s, Apelife did a great show with Cracker in Asheville in the 90s- and so it's time for us to rejoin with our brothers of irony.

Do you remember the movie the Boatnicks? I sure do.

OK, been crazy lately, Bonnaroo was a smash this year and I didn't even get a sinus infection this time. Hits were Katzenjammer, Al Green, Julia Nunes, The Boss, Dirt Pojectors/Guvnors, and more.

Off to West Virginia soon to play with Owen Davis and Al Bonneroo, next to Gene's in Morgantown.

Not much music activity. Taking care of life things.

But music can't be ignored or denied.

Been a while. So much going on. Yet in certain ways, not too much.

Suns played a couple of enjoyable shows- Oak Ridge Earth Day and WUTK Benefit w/ Julia Nunes, Mic Harrison, and Bobby Bare, Jr.

Heading to Bonnaroo in a week- and then after that up to Morgantown, WV for an outdoor fiesta.

New songs being written on bouzouki- and rumors of SDPD recordings in late summer in honor of the 25.5 year reunion.

nd here is 2009. Same as the old boss, lots of cold damp rain.

I wish all the best to everyone, especially that and luck to our new prez. New year, new prez, new attitude.

2008 ended with a bang. The Miller/Morris/Steed set at the Square Room went off splendidly. We had a nice big meal upstairs before the show and had the treat of playing a new room in K-town, right on the Square. Each of us played songs by the others and at the end of the night we did a jam of sorts going from Levon Helm to Woody Guthrie.

Christmas was Christmas.

NY eve was especially fun as the Suns Of Phere played two sets- one at TN Shines- and one at the Square Room. My two favorite places to play in Knoxville, both within a three hour period. Getting interviewed by Jim Lauderdale was just too cool. Should have been other way around. Fine sets by everyone from Elizabeth Cook, Alex from WDVX, Christabel, and the Hackensaw Boys.

We tried not to repeat too much material just in case somebody was at both shows, but we did do Keef Richards Blood twice, but I never get tired of that one.

Friends Mark and Shannon from the Cheeksters came into town- that ended up in more merriment at the house with Mark and I finally figuring out how to play Waterloo Sunset. Which we played over and over and over- what a song.

Saw lots of family and friends- but it's never enough of either.

http://www.metropulse.com/news/2008/dec/17/todd-steed-unstuck-time/
http://blogs.knoxnews.com/knx/brown/archives/2008/12/knoxville_songw.shtml
Lots and lots of music going down. Morris Miller Steed gig at Square Room was magnowonderfulz. Thanks to the folks that came out and soul'd out the house.

Next up WDVX noontime Blue Plate on Dec 24. NY EVE TN SHINES- 8PM. Square Room with the Suns on First Night also on NY 10:30. Going to be a lot of notes.

T

I am doing Twitter now. I don't know why. They call me apeville

Suns of Phere added for NY EVE TN SHINES at Bijou. WOO HOO.

I like popcorn.

Hear ye Hear Ye Hear Ye...


Knoxville sanging to commence:

RB Morris/Scott Miller/Todd Steed

One night only, loser leaves town (for the holidays)

WEDNESDAY DEC 17 8:00 PM, DOORS AT 7:00

SQUARE ROOM- Market Square Mall- Knoxville's new listening room.

Solo sets by each, trio set by all, obscure covers and song swap-o-rama. Good human fun.

http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=651694&pl=squareroom

YOUNG PEOPLE! YOUNG PEOPLE! PUT DOWN YOUR SPIRITUAL CONDIMENTS AND VOTE!

also- new suns vid:

http://www.knoxnews.com/videos/detail/todd-steed-perform-five-oclock-wdvx/

(First- quick note that the bio has been rewritten.)

Eskimo Hair photo guide

Several, if not thousands of people have asked me about the photos in Eskimo Hair. So, here are the answers. Pull out your CD and play along.

Cover shot: I took this one in 2006, before the old Eskimo Hair sign was replaced with the new one. (See on youtube- search ‘eskimo hair explanation’) I tookd over 40 pictures of Eskimo Hair, much to the general confusion of everyone that was observing. I tried to explain to passersby with my limited Chinese, but simply saying: photo, music and one bottle water please wasn’t enough to get clear information out. Notice the guy talking on the cell phone, he’s conversing with the monk in the first inside jacket photo. More on that later.

Anyhow, I fell in love with this little area of Beijing- and this store name in particular. Seeing it instantly gave me the album title for an album I had yet to start. I think I was waiting on a title before getting to work.

BOOKLETTE

EMPTY SHOES: The glorious designer of all Suns of Phere recordings, George Middlebrooks took this one, it’s actually from North Knoxville. I wanted to make sure we had at least one local photo in there and this did the trick. It also sort of reminds me of New Orleans after Katrina.

TEAPOT: Obviously, with all the tea references going on in my recorded output, why not? This is from Beijing 2005 in my apartment in Puji. The little monkey is also seen on Heartbreak and duct tape. He goes on most of my travel outings. I took him to London once and never let him out of my backpack. He never forgave me on that one, always saying: I COULD HAVE SEEN LED ZEPPELIN INSTEAD ALL I SAW WAS SOCKS!

CHINESE MAN: Taken in 2006 in China. I watched him perform in Bei Hai park in Beijing. Kind of a street actor. He was amazing, couldn’t take my eyes off him. He can’t take his eyes off the ladies in the next picture, according to George Middlebrooks. He represents, to me, the arts and age/wisdom.

FUZZY BLONDES: From Montreal. I had not figured out how to work my camera in low light yet, and this accident came out. Have always enjoyed blur, the look, not the band. This photo also included since this was French speaking bar/eatery and there is a European connection to Eskimo Hair, represented in this photo from North America.

RED SHADOW GIRL: I don’t know exactly who took this- but Elodie (singer on Redneck & French Girl) provided it/ directed the photo. It’s her. She’s stopping to smell the roses, I think.

PUNK SHIRT: Also from Beijing 2006, Wudouko area. This is from a barbershop that competes with Eskimo Hair, about two blocks down to the road. I first became aware of Punk Barbershop when I walked by their building one morning and the entire staff was out in front of the store for morning drills- yes morning drills. They did this really cool dance with hand movements (pretending to cut hair) and everything. The button on the shirt is an employee button, which, I found, are not for sale under any circumstances. I purchased one in 2008 there after getting a hair cut and employing powers of persuasion -and about 8 bucks.

MONK ON THE PHONE: Inner Mongolia, 2006. I walked into a monastery and this was the first sight I saw. I whipped out my camera as quickly as I could, snapped a couple of photos and then quietly walked on. Later, I asked the head monk of the place for the meaning of life: He laughed for a bit and then said: FREEDOM. I am just now starting to understand what he meant.

BAND PHOTO IN INSERT: Taken by Ed Richardson after practice with camera self timer. Lots of hidden clues that connect the secrets of the universe. How many ape references can you count?

BELL PHOTO ON BACK: Taken in 2005 by Stamatoula Kaousias, indirectly related to monk photo. That’s me in the bell, wearing WDVX Camperfest shirt, by chance. 2005 was my first trip to China and I was obsessed about bells and gongs. Trivia: I never wear a watch, but the one week I did was when this photo was taken. I kept worrying about being late with jet lag and all so I bought a 2 dollar watch. It lasted about a week but served me well.

CD IMPRINT- I took this one- bikes at the uni in Beijing, 2006.

Todd Steed perform "Five O'Clock" at WDVX
http://www.knoxnews.com/videos/detail/todd-steed-perform-five-oclock-wdvx/

Todd Steed perform "Stuck in Asia" at WDVX
http://www.knoxnews.com/videos/detail/todd-steed-perform-stuck-asia-wdvx/

From the Maryville TImes:

http://www.thedailytimes.com/article/20080912/ENT/309129991
WHAT I'VE LEARNED: Todd Steed

EDITOR'S NOTE: With apologies to Esquire magazine, we continue a semi-regular feature: "What I've Learned," a chance for some familiar faces to share with readers their wisdom and insight on music, art, life and whatever else they may choose. Inspired by the monthly feature in Esquire magazine, we thought it would be an ideal opportunity to give artists we've interviewed in the recent past, or whose stories we've told repeatedly, the chance to speak to our readers directly.

Todd Steed


A veteran of the Knoxville music scene since the early 1980s, Steed has built a reputation for the unusual and entertaining. Starting with Smokin' Dave and the Premo Dopes, he's done more for the Knoxville rock scene than just about anyone else still playing locally these days. Through such bands as Apelife and the Suns of Phere -- his most recent collection of motley musicians -- he's penned songs from the quirky to the serious to the bittersweet, and his most recent album, "Eskimo Hair," may be his finest to date. He celebrates the release of that album at noon today on the WDVX-FM "Blue Plate Special," and on Oct. 3 at Barley's Taproom in Knoxville's Old City.

That that old saying is true, at least in my case: You can carry your parents on your shoulders for the rest of their life and never repay them for what they have done for you.

Travel helps to reduce prejudice, but it won't kill it. Living away from the United States for extended periods taught me more about this country and home than anything else I have done. It's important, if you can, to get away from everything you hold dear to see it in a new and brighter light. Then come back to embrace and further improve it.

If you watch an entire "Curb Your Enthusiasm" season all in one day you will start to turn into Larry David. The same goes for "The Sopranos" -- you will start to talk like Tony Soprano. So, be careful.

Music is therapy. Nothing can quite turn around a bad time like playing or listening to music that resonates. Fats Waller can cure just about anything.

Walking is spiritual. You actually have to notice and be a part of your world when you travel that way. Unless it's raining and cold; then you just feel like an idiot.

You need to examine and reexamine your beliefs on a regular basis not matter what they are. At some point logic and free will are both illusions, I guess, but just in case they are not, use them both as much as humanly possible. The real stuff will survive. The crap will blow away.

When my dogs outsmart me I realize how much I have yet to learn.

Things I held in ridicule in my youth are now some of my greatest passions: jazz, green tea, reading and watching the news, the technical aspects of sound recording, sitting around looking at trees, a clean living room, and marriage.

You can appreciate music and art more if you don't measure the value of such things by sales charts. Never measure human worth by a person's wealth and power or lack thereof.

Garlic is fabulous and worth what ever social penalties come with eating it.

If you want more friends buy a pickup truck. If you want less friends ask to borrow their pickup truck to haul mulch.

The moment you try to be cool, you aren't. Cool just is. I thought buying a cool guitar would make me look cool. I was wrong. People would say, "That sure is a cool guitar that geek is playing."

Very few things are more important or harder to achieve than the classic axioms: Practice what you preach ... To they own self be true ... Judge not, less you be judged.

I can forgive almost anything except people talking on their cell phones in an elevator. We both know there is nobody on the other line, anyway.

Hey people, just back from Beijing, was there two weeks in service of Abigail Washburn & The Sparrow Quartet. (They are coming to Knoxville in October- don't miss it.)

While in Beijing I managed to take a copy of our new CD ESKIMO HAIR to the barbershop from whence the name originated. You can see video about this here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfc7dp3VUv0
If you search Youtube for Eskimo Hair you will see even more related things from China.

We are playing in Asheville, NC on Friday Sept 5 at the Orange Peel with Cowboy Mouth. Our first show at this fine venue- so come out or over if you feel like an evening of fine music.

On Friday Sept 12 at noon we will be playing a CD release show at the Blue Plate Special in Knoxville- lots of special guests and new song debuts.

Upcoming shows at Barleys and Disc Exchange as well.

Also-some China related writings are in the works. Stay tuned, keep reading, and register to vote.

http://cdbaby.com/cd/tsatsop2
coming soon on Amazon.com

In Knoxville: try disc exchange

On Youtube: search ESKIMO HAIR todd steed and or FUJIAN FAMOUS TEA FACTORY

SKIMOS ARE COMING!

Eskimos Are Coming....
Actually, they are here in Knoxville.

Eskimo Hair, which will be released on 08/08/08 at 8:00 AM has already been SNUCKED into Disc Exchange in K-town.

Walk into that glorious South Knoxville store and with a firm steady voice say: I would like to know where you might be hiding ESKIMO HAIR in this here record store for I would like to purchase a copy for listening pleasures.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Eskimo Hair is the culmination of two years of off and on recordings, writings, ramblings and everything else but the kitchen think. Recorded at Apeville Musics and Indie Recorders with none other than Eric Nowinski and Don C Jr.

Musicians on this record include but are not limited to:

dave nichols
ed richardson
bob deck
jeff bills
hector qirko
peggy hambright
elodie lafont
steve owen
mic harrison
phil pollard
eric nowinski
don C jr
greg horne
jon whitlock
tim lee
jimmy mann
matt morelock
stweart cox
don hough
owen davis
paul noe
klm monday
lexi the celli gal
leslie terry
todd steed


Mic Harrison says this is the best suns of phere record, hands down. See if he's lying.

if you want to order this record the good old fashioned way- send 14$ non bouncing check or M.O. to:

todd steed
po box 16044
knoxville tn 37996

I'll get you one right out

I was on a panel for the Knoxville Voice a few weeks back talking about the 'scene' - which roughly translates as 'the underground punk thing' in Knoxville. It was a great idea, really interesting, and a lot of fun. Plus they gave us beer.

The first questions had to do with the infamous early 80's Knoxville punk scene and why people are still talking about it so many years down the road. Well, in this case, I was talking about it because I was asked about it. Had everyone wanted to talk about Music For Bus Stations, Eskimo Hair, -which is coming out in a few weeks, and what new bands are forming, I would have been happy to talk about that, too, even more happy.

So my real answer to the question of why are you talking about 81, is: Because people keep asking about it. I don't sit around listening to Real Hostage and 5 Twins tapes, gazing at Balboa posters, and reliving my teens, I can assure you. Those were great times but I prefer the present because it's real and not just memory goo.

But if people want to hear about it, I think it's interesting to discuss. I just don't want to live there.

Truly, there are little magical times in music scenes around the world. Athens, GA in the mid 80s, SF in 1966, NYC CBGBs early days, London in 1967, Seattle grunge explosion, etc. These are not disputed in a historic sense. I would add Knoxville 1980-83 in there somewhere, not because it even comes close to equaling those other places and times, but because it was similar to them in spirit in it's own tiny tiny way. I would have like to have been in SF in 66, London in 67, or in the Be-Bop explosion in NYC after WW2, or New Orleans at the birth of Jazz. I like quick and exciting musical evolutions. I wasn't in those places, but I was here in 80-83 and did see an amazing transformation occur in sleepy Knoxville. It will have to do.

Now, here is where I have to stress that the music that came out of that period is no better than what's going on in Knoxville now, with the possible exception of Balboa. Other than that, every single person in the scene in that time went on to do much better stuff later. From a personal point of view, I can tell you the songs I wrote in 81 were mostly stupid and not that well developed though on occasion they were executed OK. Also, I wouldn't want to go back and relive that period again. It was fun and amazing, but things really got a lot more interesting for me *after* that, in terms of music and creative projects. I didn't even start touring until 86, which was when Smokin' Dave got it's sea legs.

There were some unique things about that early era though:

Nothing quite like it had come before. Similar things had, mabye more interesting things, too- and I am sure the hippies have an exciting story to tell about Kent State era Knoxville. (And Streaking!)

Punk Rock was new only once in Knoxville, and that's when it was. If you are saying 'so what?' well I agree. But it's an interesting fact, I reckon. By all means, folks should never start a punk band just because it's not new any more. Add your own twist. It's as good for the musician as it is for the audience.

And for the people who were there- it was amazing because kids from various schools (and wherever) converged in a very quick and organic way. There may have been two or three underground kids from Powell, a couple from Bearden, several from Doyle, a few bunches of misfits from UT, local folks from here and there, all uniting in this common cause and tiny revolution. Without a plan and much knowledge of what was going on.

The Balboa shows were the center point and everybody danced like crazy. It wasn't just kids, there were real live adults, outcasts, philosophy professors, UT music staff, nearly homeless types, artists, etc. Truly, if you were of the mind that different is good and the status quo was ridiculous, you were welcome. Or if you were just curious, you were welcome. It all felt 'all for one' - even if just for a brief period. It was small enough to feel that way. You didn't stand in the back and talk, everyone participated. It was social but music and art where front and center while they were happening.

Sure, it was thrilling and I bet there is something very typical about every 18-year-old thinking they are doing something for the first time- and tend to get nostalgic /idealistic about it later. Sure, I'll give that. Nothing wrong with that, either. I hope an 18-year-old is doing something right now thinking it's never been done. They may be right, they may be wrong, but for them, it's meaningful and truly new for THEM and that's what matters.

Now- I am definitely not one of these 'THESE KIDS TODAY' types. I have been around college students and young folks all my life and not just in Knoxville. Each generation is full of incredible, creative people. And dorks. And great thinkers. And wonderful conversationalists. And dorks. And writers and doers. And idea folks and adventure folks and on and on. Your generation, my generation, the next one, they all have their heroes and zeros. I don't tie myself to *any* of them. I tie my self to the ideas and music itself.

There are general differences in each generation but in no way is my generation better than any other. That's stupid. And there are enough differences within each generation to make generalizations kind of useless, anyway.

But one thing I have always been interested in is this original punk creed: no rules.

Freedom is still beautiful, young people can do whatever they want and call it whatever they want, different races cultures and religions can talk with each other, old people can enjoy young bands, and vice versa.

Playing music for the sake of music is still an incredible thing. I celebrate it every chance I get and I applaud everybody that does it, even if it's not my cup of tea, and even if I what I do is not your cup of tea. Sound is good for the people.

Right now is where it's at though.

And I Can't wait to see what's coming tomorrow.

What you got for us?

We're all ears.

BOOM BOOM, BANG BANG, IT'S OUR COUNTRY DO YENS GIVE A DANG?

Having lived in this country most of my life- and in a couple of others for shorter periods I feel like I have seen this ole gal Ms USA from several different angles. She looks good still. I don't like who's been taking her to the inverted prom for the last 7 years but those folks should be gone soon. I hope. That bit is up to you and I.

Education. That's it folks, we need more of it and better quality. Democracy will never reach it's full potential when you have half the country thinking Sadam flew a plane into the twin towers and that Obama is a muslim who goes to a Christian church. This will not do, not to mention there are leaders out there who WANT people to believe some serious and ignorant lies. Those inverted buffoons are in charge. Twice. You get what you vote for.

Here are some subjects our kids and adults can do better in: History, Government, Science, Current Events, Math, Music, English, Spanish, Chinese, Art, and Gym Class. This is America, BY GOD, don't tell me we can't do better.

Science indicates world wasn't created in 7 days, but History says it could be destroyed in that amount of time.

Careful with your fireworks, America.

This just in:

On Amazon.com one can now download all the Smokin' Dave records. Music for Bus Stations is on there, too. Suns of Phere, of course.

Ta'

Suns had two shows this past weekend, the fabulous benefit for WUTK at the Valarium and also a private party out in outer reachers of Anderson County.

Live music is better.

Eskimo Hair is truly almost finished and ready to go to the pressing plant. It's a full on eco-package with lots of stuff to see and hear.

Off to West Virginia in July for a couple of solo shows with Owen Davis.

Time for some sencha.

WOOOF! ARF!

New record almost done- plus in the meantime we have an EP called ESKIMO HEAR. Full length is ESKIMO HAIR.

Simple enough.