As the Orchestra Swells, now available on iTunes! Open up iTunes, access the store, and search for Steve Biegner. Ask to see all the albums and you can purchase either Manic Blue or As the Orchestra Swells (the lights go out). Wow!
Some people, including Steve, might be wondering where he's been lately. Or maybe you haven't wondered this at all, and so this will be news to you. After supporting "As the Orchestra Swells (the lights go out)" for a while, Steve turned to writing a lot more than performing. He sequestered himself in his small apartment and wrote - songs, poems, short stories, essays, shopping lists, checks - anything. And then it was time to move. Steve packed up and moved to New York to attend the Manhattan School of Music, where he is now studying classical voice. He still writes and records, but also sometimes tries to be Fritz Wunderlich (oh, if only!) and sings Schubert, Beethoven, Copland, etc, etc. While not as prolific as he maybe once feels he was, his new songs have a focus, a clarity his older songs may have lacked. Or maybe not. Who can tell in these cases? But he's getting antsy. It's been ages since he's put up new songs, and so on the eve of his 26th birthday - new songs - rough studio cuts, basement demos, but new nonetheless. He misses everyone who came to shows. He misses his band. He misses people he used to play with: Steven Fiore, The Low Anthem, Ben Taylor, Matthew Larsen and the Documents (to be fair, he's been drumming for Matt and they just played about a month ago - but the longing is still there), and so many others. He misses Troy who is in London. He misses his family. He misses free-throws, which is a shame, because free-throws win games. So, for now, use these rough songs as a placeholder. For what? I don't know. I don't know.
AS THE ORCHESTRA SWELLS (the lights go out)
Since the Fall of 2005, Steve Biegner, Adam Bach, and Brian Sloan have been working on Steve Biegner's new album "As the Orchestra Swells (the lights go out)." Now, almost a year later, they are done. They had a little help from Gideon Freudmann who provided the brooding cello and other strange noises; from Matt Larsen who played some sweet piano and organ to some tunes; from Ross Bellenoit of the Systematics who played a sometimes angry, sometimes soothing guitar; and from Erin Cleary who gave us her beautiful voice and her beautiful artwork.
Dave Chalfant produces this new record, and he expertly captures the organic sound of the acoustic instruments as well as the intensity the trio has during live shows. He knew when to say "enough," on tracks such as the sparse "Onward! to Purgatory!!" And he also knew when to say "more" like with "Prodigal Son" or "A Window, a Vault." which are big, grand, and lush in their orchestration. He also knew when to say, "Is anybody hungry?" and yes, feasts did abound!
All in all, the trio is very happy with what has become "As the Orchestra Swells (the lights go out)." They all hope that you "drink a dream so heavenly, God pines for your revery.
STEVE'S BIO
By the time Steve Biegner was 15 he had played at the Iron Horse, played with Stephen Kellogg and the Nields, and was on his way to releasing a solo album which would be Manic Blue. He had started out playing tambourine and egg shaker in his older cousin's band Smokejumpers, and soon moved on to accompanying his cousin's piano playing with guitar, sometimes drums and lush harmonies. Steve started noticing that a lot of his songs were becoming the crowd favorites. So when he turned 17 he released Manic Blue, some wintersoft basement songs that showcased his mature composition style and his soaring voice.
Steve played with Stephen Kellogg for a few shows at various colleges picking up fans along the way. He also played with the Nields after winning the title of Pioneer Valley Idol after singing Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" and ultimately sealing the deal with his own song "Circle Song" which showcased Steve's impressive range, starting very low eventually soaring into a high, strong falsetto that made some sopranos jealous.
Steve spent a while playing shows and garnering some attention, then turned to writing again. He met up with Adam Bach and Brian Sloan who became his upright bassist and drummer respectively. Steve jumped at the chance to arrange for more than just his voice and guitar and piano. After months of rehearsing and playing out as a trio, Steve decided it was time to make a nice record.
In September of 2005, he went into the studio with Dave Chalfant and recorded several songs, 14 of which came out almost a year later on "As the Orchestra Swells (the lights go out)," the just-ripe fruits of his recording endeavors. Some songs are hushed and quiet - just Steve, a guitar, and a couple of room mics. Others, like the grand "Prodigal Son" are big, lush works that feature string quartets, banjos, baroque style vocal harmonies, and a wall of guitars.
His music is reminiscent of Jeff Buckley; Jump, Little Children; Bright Eyes; Sufjan Stevens; and Nick Drake. Steve is inspired by all of these artists as well as Radiohead, Bjork, Tom Waits, Regina Spektor, Igor Stravinski, Steve Reich, Woody Guthrie, Johnny Cash, and many, many others.
GET THE NEW CD at www.cdbaby.com/cd/biegner2. Just copy and paste that link and CD Baby will ship you a CD within 24 hours! You can even write a review and browse a ton of other artists that sound like me. Zany!
SOME FUN QUOTES!
Steve Biegner is an American original. He has it all. great chops, visionary songwriting and a voice that can slay dragons.
Nerissa Nields
.a blend of Nick Drake and Jeff Buckley, Steve Biegner is going places.
Local Buzz Magazine
.one of the Pioneer Valley's most impressive young songwriters.
Greg Saulmon
"steve's music shakes you out of your shackles, and catapults you into a state of aural revelation."
-thunder (a.k.a. Ross Bellenoit)
Here's a music video of "Onward! - to Purgatory!!" made by a Super Fan.
