Robert Steel is a singer/songwriter in Austin, TX. He has released a new album this year
entitled, "The Calm Waters of Youth". You can download a few songs for free below. Simply right click, select "Save link as" and save it to where ever you want.
I had my bike stolen in 1980 by a couple of punks. I had just gotten the bike after much begging
to my mother. She scraped together the money and got it for me. Then a couple of teenagers
beat me up and stole it fron me. This is such an engrained memory that I wrote a song about it.
You can download it (1980 Huffy Pro Thunder) along with a few others from my new CD. Enjoy! And don't go stealing any bikes!
Back in the nineties I was inspired to write a concept album. I chose to do a real life subject, because that is the kind of stuff that I am normally interested in writing about. It came in a storm and I wrote 90 percent of it in about two week period. I kept saying I was essentially done and could release it at anytime, but I never have until now.
It is a concept album about my life from spring break of 85 to the winter of 88.
Robert's songs appeal to me on a variety of levels. At times his approach is highly sentimental; at other times it's very funny. What's more important, though, is the understated honesty that permeates his work, reminiscent of great American songwriters, like John Prine. When you see Robert Steel live, you come to realise that here is a man who, despite the trials he has faced that are detailed in his songs, is a genuine, good man and we can all learn from his music. Dan Edwards, Electric Mountain Rotten Apple Gang, Austin, TX
Sonically, it’s easy to draw airy aesthetic comparisons to the great Leonard Cohen when listening to Robert for the first time. Further listening exposes other parallels to Cohen’s writing approach. Robert’s songs are a blend of folk and American culture references that a younger Cohen might have written if he had lived in Austin Texas where Robert now resides. Neil Brincks, Featherhead
The Calm Waters of Youth. Released in October of 2010. A collection of songs about based around youth.
I recorded a handful of songs with my friend Dan Edwards in 2009 the day
before he was forced to head back to
the UK due to his visa expiring.
Some Say Leland field recordings
volume I: The Abandoned State School.
We recorded this project by candle light. It truly captures this band and this room.
I recorded a field recording project on the Annie Street Arts Collective label. It consists of amazing artists I have encountered, mainly in Austin, but some from other cities as well. There is some serious magic on this record. We will be
releasing it in Sept. of 2010.
In July of 2010 we recorded a Country
Willie album. Country Willie is an amazing
songwriter and a true one-of-a-kind.
Look for it to be released in the fall of
2010.
In 2009 I produced the debut CD of Austin's incredible band, The Electric Rotten Apple Mountain Gang. A unique blend of bluegrass and thrash. Check 'em out!
Ron Scott is an underground legend in
Austin. This is a collection of his songs covered by other singer/songwriters. The project was headed up by Johann Wagner. I recorded 3 tracks on this
record in 2010.
Most everything I do online is on this
site, but of course you can always
find me at the following places.
My youtube channel is pretty rad.
