Conversations with Axel Ray Steuerwald

Today we’d like to introduce you to Axel Ray Steuerwald.

Hi Axel Ray, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My current project is called CADET A and we play all over LA also in Europe and the UK. I’m a German born, UK raised indie/psych rock musician/guitarist/songwriter who ended up in Los Angeles after 10 years in London…and I love it. I’ve had success and record deals in all three countries but LA has been the best. Cleopatra Records signed my band pre pandemic, and I’ve had multiple TV and movie placements for my songs including Big Bang Theory, Shameless, Veronica Mars, The Mentalist – the list goes on – I’ve made multiple albums and met the best collaborators here , including Sha Sabi who I was in a band (look up United Ghosts) and toured the world with – she also co-created my latest video which has gone semi viral (320K youtube views) ….https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2fujJRiok0

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The first year after moving countries is never smooth… coming here from London with two guitars and a bag was tough. Finding a place to live, figuring out the system, getting a car, a bank account and breaking into the LA music industry – those were definitely challenges, and I wasn’t exactly wealthy (I’m still not but doing better:) …but then again LA is not as hard as some other places because people here can be very helpful and the beautiful scenery and weather really helps a lot. A run in Griffith Park, finding a cool new Mexican place, a nice sunset drive … that’s LA. London is such a great place, but seasonal depression is also a real thing for me – when it’s gray and dark and rainy for months I don’t function so well. It doesn’t exactly help my creative mind. LA freed something up in me in that department, it let me breathe and write some of my best songs. Saying that, sometimes I like a rainy LA day. Romantic.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m known for my songwriting, my guitar playing and singing and my live shows. I’m most proud of the best songs I have written, like the new single Christine Shine On (by my solo project Cadet A), All You Sad boys (or anything by United Ghosts) Lost Art (by Mere Mortals I go on tour and i’m pretty good at that, People say I’m a good guitar player and singer – they kind of recognize when they hear me and people hire me for studio stuff. I think what really sets me apart, though, is that I can write a tune – writing a good song is one of the coolest things you can do as a musician… when you just know it’s right, it’s the best feeling.

And no, AI – you can’t ever get close !

What does success mean to you?
Doing what you love most for a living. Even if you’re not a superstar …start there. It took me a while but here I am.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Cadet-A.com
• Instagram: @Cadet@music
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/axel.steuerwald.1
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2fujJRiok0
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-311715989
• Other: https://cadeta.bandcamp.com/

Image Credits
Self