A Dirty Dozen with STEVE HILL – October 2024

According to a recent press release: “Produced at Studio 606 in Los Angeles last January, the second single from Steve Hill’s upcoming album The Devil’s Handyman, is as dark and moody as can be. Recorded live off the floor by the man called by Germany’s Guitar Magazine “the most impressive one man band on the planet”, it’s hard to believe that what you’re hearing is only one guy. The song is about an all-too-common story in the world of rock and roll: addiction. The narrator is the dealer, talking to his clients, acting like a comforting friend at first and gradually taking control over his life.” We get Steve to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

It’s called “Hanging On A String” and was recorded at Studio 606 in Los Angeles on tape and on the Neve board that you can see in the documentary Sound City.  I’m a one-man band and I recorded all the instruments at the same time, live off the floor. It was all done in five days. It’s pretty raw! It was produced and mixed by Darrell Thorp (Foo Fighters, Beck, Radiohead) who did an incredible job. There is a connection between the songs. It’s about being a musician in this day and age, about the threats of AI, corporations, drug dealers, accidents that are bound to happen if you’re on the road long enough and through it all, my love for music and the guitar.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I’ve always been into music but never thought I could be a musician until I met some guys that played. A friend at school had an electric guitar and his neighbor had a drum kit. I started hanging out with them. We had a piano back home so I started learning how to play and a year later I got into learning the guitar. After about 6 months of that, I knew that’s what I wanted to do with my life.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

I bought a Guitar magazine that had Hendrix on the cover and the tablatures to “Voodoo Child (Slight Return).” I didn’t know how to play yet but I figured I could learn with that!It took some time but I got there. Still love playing it.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

I’d love to collaborate with Joe Bonamassa. He seems like a nice guy and maybe I could try some of the guitars in his collection!

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

I’m a comic book geek! That was my first passion. I wanted to be a comic book artist. Then I got into the guitar and all previous plans went out the window!  I love the artwork and enjoy reading and collecting them.  Every town has comic book shops so it’s something fun to do on the road.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

It’s Blues Rock but instead of having Rock guitar on top of Blues songs it has Blues guitar on top of Rock songs! I don’t like to be tagged as a Bluesman though. To me, Robert Johnson was a Bluesman. Muddy Waters was a Bluesman. I don’t have the pretention of calling myself that.  I’m a musician that’s highly influenced by Blues masters.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

I’m a one-man band so it’s all me!

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

I met Jeff Beck. Couldn’t say much. What do you say when you meet God?

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

Playing music is the best part. These days I don’t get to do enough of that. As an independent artist, you have to spend a lot of time on other matters, like promotion, managing, show advances, social media, getting the merchandise printed, shipping, etc… my dream job would be to be a musician with management and good record label that would handle everything and not rip me off. I can keep dreaming!

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

That one.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I’ve made bad decisions for sure. I’ve decided to leave management and labels without a backup plan, out of impulsivity. Not a good thing to do but you know what, I have no regrets. I’m here now, I enjoy what I’m doimg and I’ve never been happier in my entire life.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Grateful Dead – Europe 72. That would have been quite the trip, pun intended! That album made me a fan of the Dead. The interplay on it still blows my mind.

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Category: Interviews