Today we’d like to introduce you to Stevie Blacke.
Hi Stevie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in a musical family. My parents met at Juliard (dad pianist, mom singer). They were always very supportive without pushing me into a career in music. I went to Berklee College of Music, starting on guitar, but halfway through my first year I fell in love with the music of David Grisman and started playing mandolin. Within a year, I got an opportunity to study with David so I took some time off Berklee and moved to California to take lessons. I went back to Boston and finished my time at Berklee this time on violin as the school at that time didn’t recognize the mandolin as a lead instrument. Matt Glaser said he’d show me some mandolin things but I’d have to learn the violin to satisfy the school’s requirements. I didn’t start playing violin until I was 21.
After college, I moved back to the Bay Area and started touring with and touring and playing with some legendary musicians including Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks, Vince Welnick (The Tubes, Grateful Dead), Steve Kimock, Shana Morrison, and others. After touring a few years, I made my way to Los Angeles and started breaking my way into studio work.
My first years in Los Angeles was all about Hip Hop and R&B. I cut my teeth arranging for and recording for artists such as Snoop Dog, Ice Cube, Nate Dog, Aaliyah, and many more. From there, I got invited to work with artists including Beck and Timbaland with Elton John, Rihanna, Madonna, Colbie Caillat, Matchbox Twenty, Alice In Chains, Cher, Joe Cocker, Dua Lipa, Olivia Rodrigo, Kylie Minogue, Michael Bolton, Lady Gaga, Garbage, Avenged Sevenfold, and so many others. I’ve developed a 15-year working relationship with P!nk whom I’ve had numerous live and studio works released, including her latest album.
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 spent a lot of time honing my skills and being ready for when opportunities arose. I hardly ever said no to a gig, even if I got the call at 11pm and had worked all day, I’d still show up to the studio and work all night. I got out and played live with just about anyone who would have me for little or no money. One doesn’t go into the music business for the money, you do it because there’s nothing else you CAN do. You do it for the love of making music. I always love to create and make something from nothing. I love collaborating with others and producing young artists and helping them find their paths as some of my mentors helped with mine.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I go by Stevie Blacke “All Things Stringed”. I play 20+ different stringed instruments, including violin, viola cello, double bass, guitar (electric, acoustic, and nylon), electric bass, banjo, sitar, esraj, saz, erhu, dobro, mandolin, mandola, mandocello, some percussion, drums and a touch of piano. Also, I’m proficient in Pro Tools and often work as an engineer and mixer. I’m mainly known as a string arranger who can also record a whole string section by himself. In fact most of the hundreds of songs I’ve played on, I end up playing the strings by myself. On occasion, I also get to arrange and conduct a live string section, which I always love to do. Search “P!nk Piano Room” for a recent example of me conducting the BBC Orchestra with P!nk.
I’m always producing/writing/working with young artists, helping them realize their musical goals and visions. I love to watch them grow as artists. Some of the artists I’ve enjoyed producing are Leah Zeger, Jane Sheldon, Jesse Lynn Madera, Crash, Arisara, and others.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I’ve taken a lot of risks. Anytime you go out on your own without a fallback or a day job you’re taking the risk of failing. A friend years ago told me, “You just have to have faith” that you’ll continue to work, and that’s pretty much how I’ve lived my life. Faith that the work will keep coming. Faith that I’ll have the skills I’ll need when that work comes and faith that the artist hiring me will appreciate those skills.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://stevieblacke.com/home
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevieblacke/
