Hear the premiere of the new single ‘My Favourite Shoes’

Hear the premiere of the new single ‘My Favourite Shoes’

Union will be out on February 24th. The 4-track release is a collection of crafted songs that glide over delicate, pulsing rhythms. Written during a stellar year for the British singer/songwriter, that saw him perform for HRH Prince William at a star studded gala at Kensington Palace on November 10th 2016, this new release captures the vocals that have been heard everywhere from the super clubs of Ibiza to the acoustic venues of the UK and USA. We are glad to premiere the first excerpt “Favourite Shoes“. His words about the track: “‘My Favourite shoes’ is a simple feel good story about two people who have become slightly lost in their world of jobs, modern living, kids etc. One is saying to the other, lets forget about those things that we feel tie us down. We all love our shoes right? So the metaphor is that feeling of putting on those shoes and escaping for while.” Listen below.

Kensington Palace, Naked on stage and ‘Up your Ronson’…..

Kensington Palace, Naked on stage and ‘Up your Ronson’…..

So I write this as, I have played the first three shows as the support for Glenn Tilbrook from Squeeze’s UK Tour. My first ever concert, along with my sister was Squeeze at the Woolwich Coronet back in 1987, and now I get to play with the lead singer all these years later. The Tour takes in the length and the breadth of the United Kingdom, so I get to travel around the country that I have so many fond memories of. I moved away from the UK 11 years ago, but way before that I used to drive up and down the motorways playing shows. From around 1993 on wards I would play percussion alongside DJ’s at raves, and then started playing for electronic bands such as Evolution, Shiva and Danny Campbell. In just one night we would play 3 ‘Live PA’ shows at legendary clubs like Renaissance, Cream and Up your Ronson. Now in 2016, its a thrill to visit some of the towns and countryside from all those years ago. I’m taking lots of photo’s that i’ll put into an album and post later. The Shows – It is very exciting and at the same time, quite

Busy times, recording and off to Ibiza…..

Busy times, recording and off to Ibiza…..

Hi all, Sorry for the delay form the last blog, but I’ve been VERY busy. THE NEW E.P Studio time has been going very well, and lots of other things have been happening. So as far as recording/writing goes the new E.P is done, we’re at mixing stage now. Some wonderful musicians have graced these tracks with real Harps, Saxophone, Guitars, Backing vocals and more. Below is a sneak peak of a photo shoot I did at sunrise with my very talented photographer friend Annmarie Rollo. I’m so excited to be playing some of these new songs in Ibiza next week – 19th Sept – Sky Bar @ Es Vive Hotel – Ibiza Spain 21st Sept – Hostal la Torre – Ibiza Spain Then its back to the USA for a run of shows in the New England area and NYC. I’ll keep this post short, as I’m spending all my time on the colossal amount of work that goes into releases and shows. I will report once i get back from Ibiza, but lots of news coming very soon. big love Steve X

Converse Studios, Birthdays and new Tour dates….

Converse Studios, Birthdays and new Tour dates….

Hello all, Sorry for the gap in posts, but I’ve had family visiting from UK. It was my birthday this month, where I had a wonderful time with friends and family. Since I got back from shows in Asia its been full-on and good times indeed. Kuala Lumpur was very good gig, and Singapore was just as good as ever. I went into the studio earlier this week, I was invited to spend a day at ‘Rubber Tracks’ studio which is below the Converse HQ in Boston MA. The session went so well, we filmed one of the new songs called ‘My Favourite shoes’ (I didn’t even realize the connection ‘Converse/Fave shoes’! sometimes these things are meant to be right?). I performed the song with my long time friend/producer Anthony Saffery (Cornershop, Beck, Kiran Ghandi) and a wonderful student from Berklee, Pia Salvia on Harp. Anyways, I never had any intention of recording new solo stuff but then it just creeps up on you and before you know it your writing on iphone ‘notes’ and whispering into ‘Voice notes’. I’m not sure what will happen with these songs, I’m certainly under no illusions of big successes. They are just part

Here we go……

Here we go……

Ok, so I have felt this urge to write a blog. This is for a few reasons, but mainly because I am working on new music and want to document it in some way, other than the music itself. I feel I should start by saying, how incredibly lucky I am to be a professional musician for over 20 years. If you had told me 20 years ago that someday I’d be sitting by a swimming pool in Thailand writing lyrics after playing shows in Asia, I would of worried a lot less about how I would make a decent living away from the construction jobs that most of the men in my family were involved in. I love music, like really LOVE music, I actually think I’m addicted to it. Over the years it has made me laugh, cry, low, high (sometimes aided by other things!),  and pretty much every emotion under the sun. So why a blog? Well, I’m certainly not a famous rock star, celebrity or anything like that, but maybe a few people might actually like to read these future posts about anything from being a hard working musician, a dad, husband, brother, son, friend etc.

Deejay.it (Italy) featured video of Acoustic version of ‘Save a Prayer’

Deejay.it (Italy) featured video of Acoustic version of ‘Save a Prayer’

I Dirty Vegas rifanno i Duran Duran: “Save A Prayer” è in versione acustica Ancora impegnati in studio nella preparazione del loro quarto album, i Dirty Vegas trovano il tempo per produrre la loro personale interpretazione di un classico anni ’80: “Save A Prayer” dei Duran Duran. La cover è stata lanciata per la prima volta il 6 febbraio da Albertino durante 50 Songs everyday. Solo per voi ecco un esclusiva versione acustica. Source  

Electronic Rumours – Review of ‘Save a Prayer’

Electronic Rumours – Review of ‘Save a Prayer’

Dirty Vegas cover Duran Duran’s ‘Save A Prayer’   So we made a decision not to cover tunes that were released while we were on holiday. There was as surprising heap of awesome tunes in the past few weeks and we just haven;t got the time to write about all of them, but this little gem unleashed just before X-Mas as a freebie, and soon to be getting a full reMix package released via d:vision Records, is too good to pass over. It’s dancefloor legends Dirty Vegas thank you to their fans for the support in 2014 in the form of a cover of Duran Duran’s monster 1982 hit Save A Prayer. Paul and Steve have injected the tune with their instantly recognisable brand of soulful House vibes and Balearic groove; which goes surprisingly well with the song. In a way, Rio era Duran Duran was the original Tropical Dance Pop so it’s no surprise that this translates so well to a summertime floorfiller. The original’s riff have been morphed into a hands-in-the-air chord progression but the enigmatic island atmosphere remains. A beautiful coming together of new and old. Source

Insomniac.com – Review of Dirty Vegas ‘Save a Prayer’

Insomniac.com – Review of Dirty Vegas ‘Save a Prayer’

Though busy wrapping up their fourth full-length—due out early next year—Dirty Vegas found some time to bust out a cover of Duran Duran’s holy hit “Save a Prayer.” The UK-based duo, comprised of Paul Harris and Steve Smith, blesses the classic ‘80s song with a scintillating, dancefloor-ready version. Steve wails about a casual encounter, while a stabbing chord progression flirts with the original synth-driven riff. The result is a succulent slice of four-four paradise. We got our hands on the premiere of this dirtied-up house tune, which is being offered as a free download below. The DV gents were kind enough to give this one away as a token of their appreciation for the continued love and support. It certainly beats the hell out of most of the stocking-stuffers you’ll get stuck with this Xmas. Source

People Magazine – HRH Prince William listens to Dirty Vegas

People Magazine – HRH Prince William listens to Dirty Vegas

Prince William Rocks Out with George at Early Morning Feedings It seems Prince George is already enrolled in the school of rock. Prince William revealed Wednesday that he often turns the radio on, and listens out for his favorite bands, when he gets up early to give son George a feeding. Joining BBC Radio 1’s Gemma Cairney for a Google Hangout as part of a search for young leaders around the world, William, 32, told Cairney he often tunes in to her show, which runs from 4 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. Cairney, 29, said William told her, ” ‘Sometimes when I’m up with George I have a listen.’ I was very flattered.” “He’s well informed [about music] as well,” Cairney told her listeners – so knowledgeable, in fact, that he compiled a list of some of his favorite bands so she could play some of them on her show. It was an “eclectic” mix, she said, one that included Linkin Park and the Foals. He even introduced her to a British band called Dirty Vegas. “Music’s a big thing for me,” he told her. At the end of her show, Cairney said, “If you’ve ever wondered what Prince Willy gets

E -online HRH – Prince William listens to Dirty Vegas

E -online HRH – Prince William listens to Dirty Vegas

Prince William is not like just any regular prince—he’s a cool dad, too. A British radio DJ Gemma Cairney recently hosted a Google+ Hangout with the 32-year-old British royal and his 29-year-old brother, Prince Harry . Cairney said William told her before the online show that he has listened to her BBC Radio 1 program, which airs from 4 a.m. to 6:30 a.m., while taking care of his and wife Kate’s 11-month-old son, Prince George. “You know, sometimes when I’m up with George …’ ‘I was like, ‘Yeah, yeah, ‘course, totes,’” she told listeners on her show on Thursday, July 10. “He said, ‘Yeah, you know, I have a listen.’ I was very flattered.” Cairney also named three bands that she says William has been listening to a lot lately. The groups are Linkin Park, British indie rock group Foals and the electronic band Dirty Vegas and their track “Days Gone By,” in particular. She said William told her, “Music is a big thing for me.” Cairney then played on her show what she dubbed a “Prince Willy mini-mix” made up of samples of four tracks: The Foals’ “My Number,” Linkin Park’s “Numb,” Dirty Vegas’ “Days Go By” and (since we are dealing