I am a professional session musician specializing in all genres of electric and acoustic guitar, as well pedal steel guitar and lap steel guitar. I've worked on thousands of sessions for satisfied clients, including Vanessa Carlton, Jaymay, Jim Keller of Tommy Tutone, Deathcruiser, and Lala Brooks of The Crystals, among many others.
Based in Nashville, TN, Steve is an acclaimed multi-instrumentalist and producer who has contributed to a multitude of recordings.
Steve brings positivity and creative solutions to each session, giving great coverage of what's needed for the song and multiple treatment options for those who want them. Having been sought out by many producers, he has a can-do attitude that gets inside of a track to give it what it needs, through insightful communication and understanding of the client's needs and wants.
Click the 'Contact' above to get in touch. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Credits
Discogs verified credits for Steve Lewis (8)Languages
- English
Interview with Steve Lewis
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: A really slick version of "Besame Mucho" with an exotica vibe on which I played some slid-ey and sexy pedal steel.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Tracks for my own projects, Steve Lewis, Downright, and constant session work for my clients.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Analog preamps, digital recording. Good power to make "quiet" takes so the fundamental sound is strong and analog-rich with clean harmonic distortion (not distortion distortion).
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: Workable quality musical tracks/stems that will complement the track I've been asked to perform on.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Being called on to solve a problem with my skill set.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: What does the track need? In that case I cover bases on harmonic treatments and melodic treatments which leaves the client with options.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That getting your track in great shape in a recording session with be difficult. In fact we'll work together and it will be very easy!
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What are you looking to walk away from the session with? What are the style touchpoints that move you? What musical artists or tracks can you share that would get the session to your desired location?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Listen to the variety the can bring to a multitude of styles
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Definitely an great acoustic guitar or two! Also, if there were to be electricity, an electric guitar and amp. Pedal Steel, and a harmonica.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I have been a professional in the music industry for 26 years, serving as a peformer/session musician for most of that time.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: I have a deep understanding of American Music from the 1920s forward, and how that music has evolved into the broad palette that we now work with. I would say a blues and early rock influence can be heard in most of my music, but that doesn't prevent world music and EDM influences from being heard in there as well.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: I would love to work with a producer like T Bone Burnett or Joe Hill
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Let the density of multi-track recording be low so that essential elements of the song can be heard and understood. From there you can layer heavily as needed.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Rock/country/americana followed closely by R&B
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Communication with the client and discovering common touchstones to really understand the musical needs.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I bring a deep experience of many genres, having recorded and performed in numerous bands across genres. I know what not to do on a track, which is very conducive to getting what a producer/client wants out of my performances. One example would be staying out of the way of a vocal performance when laying down a melodic take.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I'll chat with a client about what they want for a vibe, and then coverage of a track usually consists of rhythm/harmonic multiple takes with discussions in between, followed by more melodic/lead treatments, also with discussion/notes in between takes.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I have a great selection of vintage and modern instruments, several tube amps of differing configs, as well as a great mic/preamp/interface seclction. Acoustically treated rooms for a dry sound.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Carol Kaye, Bill Frissell, Marc Ribot, Tim Pierce, Paul Franklin, Eddie Dunlap, George Porter Jr.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Melodic or rhythmic treatments of guitar/steel/bass parts for many genres, including rock, funk, R&B, hiphop, EDM, country, Americana
- Electric GuitarAverage price - $100 per song
- Pedal SteelAverage price - $100 per song
- Acoustic GuitarAverage price - $100 per song
- Bass ElectricAverage price - $100 per song
- Bass UprightAverage price - $100 per song
- Singer - MaleAverage price - $100 per song
A one hour remote session will be executed and multiple unedited takes will be delivered to the client at the end for comping. One instrument only per session.
- Vintage and mondern acoustic and electric guitar selection
- quality preamps
- interfaces
- and mics
- multiple tube amps and pedals
10% for your first session
