Today we’d like to introduce you to Steve Watkins.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve been playing music for about as long as I can remember. My father plays guitar, and we had a jam space in my childhood basement. When friends came over, I would try to teach them simple parts on instruments even if they didn’t play, just so we could all make music together. I don’t think I’ve ever strayed too far from that initial model. Music was such a source of pure joy and inspiration that I resisted going to school or formalizing my education around it and risk losing the magic. So instead, I made music for love, and somewhat poetically, that attitude has led me to a fruitful full-time career in music.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I think for me, it has been relatively smooth, evidenced solely by the fact that I’m still here and haven’t given up. Most people burn out on full-time music endeavors not because they lack talent but because they don’t protect their hearts. This road is filled with invitations towards self-doubt, warped views of personal and artistic image, and vampiric relationships. Remembering why you connected with music in the first place is a great way to keep your feet on the righteous path.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m probably most known for playing keyboards with Allen Stone, Scary Pockets, and my own projects, as well as my use of the talkbox, an old-school analog effect that shapes my raw synthesizer sound into expressive speech using a vinyl tube. Besides that, I also write songs, produce, sing, and play several other instruments. I’m most proud of that versatility because being able to pivot and shift gears has kept me feeling inspired and active. Sometimes people can get pigeonholed by a one-dimensional music industry perspective, but part of what sets me apart is my flexibility. You’ll see me pop up in all sorts of places you might not expect.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Make music with your friends. Good things will flow from that.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.swatkinsmusic.com
- Instagram: @swattykins
- Facebook: /swatkinsmusic
- Twitter: @swattykins
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/Swatkins
Image Credits:
Jaquelyn Cruz, Charla Harvey
