Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Steven Elowe. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Steven, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?
This question can be answered both with one word… “yes”… as well as a week’s worth of discussion.
I don’t think ANYONE that knows me would argue that while i’m in creative mode, there is NO PLACE ELSE that makes me happier… more ‘me’ so to speak.
From my earliest remembrances of being 5 years old, singing Pear Bailey’s “Summertime” and Gary Lewis’s “The Night Has a Thousand Eyes” to the sky on my swing-set until I started getting paid to sing and play guitar by the time I was 10, I knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
When I was starving in my 20’s doing what ever session work I could drum up along with bar gigs, I was offered an opportunity to learn graphic arts ‘on-the-job’ for a movie advertising company. I worked for different graphic companies in the Movie and Music industry along side with chasing my musical dreams for many years – well into my 60’s.
I learned early on that I’m a TERRIBLE employee! I’m a GREAT team player… which is why I lasted so long on the ‘corporate’ side … but ultimately, working for someone else in an office makes me insane!!
At one point in my career, I took about 15 years off of playing out live to work full time, 2-3 jobs while my then wife was raising our kids. I remember receiving more than a couple calls from guys I used to record with saying “you REALLY NEED to start playing again”… I said “you’re right, I guess I’m kinda wasting it”… to which one responded…” No… that’s not it…you’re not getting it… when you DON’T PLAY, you’re a f@%$*#% A@@$%le … I went out and found a band to play in again THAT week!
I finally decided 5 years ago to star my own company for making custom in-ear monitor molds to keep them from slipping out while singing and performing called InYourEar.biz. I do freelance graphics for web & print at home as well… and play in 5-6 Tribute Bands.
Happy is a relative term … It comes and goes with the tides of situation. But I DO KNOW that working in a ‘regular job’ and NOT being creative makes me extremely UN-HAPPY.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
(This info is from my Bio)
Steve grew up in the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, CA. He became interested and moved by music at age 5 while watching his Sister’s folk group play at USO clubs. She gave him his first guitar lesson at age 8, and he hasn’t stopped playing and singing since.
By age 10 he was playing in cover bands playing at colleges and High schools. The band ‘Fantasy’ was a local favorite that featured Scott Page on trumpet (later known as the sax player from Pink Floyd). From 12-15 years old he would play with musicians from Sugarloaf and the Mothers of Invention and many others who went on to national touring acts. At age 13 he recorded commercials for the LA Zoo and local malls.
From the late teens on into his early 20’s he would become a local studio musician, would write and record commercials as well as the theme for the Disney Channel launch. After the channel was picked up by cable, his voice would be heard every 10 minutes on the Disney Channel as their station ID theme for the next 6 years. In these years he would play in bands with musicians from Night Ranger, Genya Ravan & 10 Wheel Drive, Shalamar, Jethro Tull (to name a few) and co-write a song for the movie “Breakin’”.
In the early 80’s he met Ray Wolffe through one of his oldest friends and mentors, Michael O’Neil (guitarist with George Benson). He was asked by Ray to join his band Loose Change to replace long time member Phil Solom who was leaving to join the Rembrandts. Along with Cyril Cianflone and then drummer Milt Boyat they would tear up LA playing funk and Rock-A-Billy to packed houses, sought after by several record labels… but breaking up before any contract could be signed.
You’ll still find Steve singing, playing and recording with numerous bands. Most recently: playing sold out shows in several tribute bands like Deja Vu — Tribute to CSNY, Savor–Tribute to Santana, The Long Run (experience the Eagles), Tapestry (Carole King Tribute) and more.
Another milestone for Steven was creating a way of making Custom Plastic Molds for In-Ear Monitors to keep them from slipping out… he offers his services on InYourEar.biz
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
My Journey has been a series of ‘bumper-sticker’ thoughts/lessons.
• One foot in front of the other.
• If you are dying, bring your death-bed and die after the show.
• Your WORD is all you really have.
• That’s why they call it work… otherwise it’d be a hobby.
• ‘No’ is just a speed-bump.
• It’s not getting knocked down, but how long until you get back up that matters.
I could go on for weeks. My own personal stories could certainly hug-the-line, or cross right over into ‘stupid’… so I’m not sure my particular brand of resilience is ‘lesson-worthy’… from my earliest remembrances of being 14 years old… having Hong Kong Flu AND Strep… and going to the gig anyway… to last month, being so violently sick the day before I needed to be at the airport for a 4-city tour, that I almost called 911 on myself… but ultimately showed up at the airport and did the shows… even though I couldn’t eat for several days and barely slept. I just couldn’t cancel the tour and take all that money out of other people’s mouths. So I did it anyway. Resilience or stupid. I dunno… It’s just ‘me’.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
I believe that supporting live music, and supporting the arts is important to a healthy society. Even non-creative types benefit from the Arts in ways they may not even perceive, but are still real.
Go out amongst the people. Be involved in society. Have a wide-open mind. Be supportive of Dream-Chasers…. as they are the innovators.
Contact Info:
- Website: http:// inyourear.biz
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inyourear.biz/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steven.elowe
Image Credits
Kim Lawrence Photography