Delicate Steve

Delicate Steve is the stage name of musician Steve Marion, an American multi-instrumentalist who leads the band of the same name.[1] Delicate Steve's sound has been described as hand-crafted with elements of progressive rock, folksy twang, African rhythms, surf rock and 1970s pop.[2] Marion has collaborated with a wide range of artists in a variety of styles and genres, performing live and recording in-studio with artists such as The Black Keys, Paul Simon, Amen Dunes, Mac DeMarco, Tame Impala, and others.[3][4]

Delicate Steve
Delicate Steve performing in 2017
Delicate Steve performing in 2017
Background information
Birth nameSteve Marion
OriginFredon Township, New Jersey, United States
Years active2010–present
LabelsLuaka Bop, Anti-
Websitedelicatesteve.com

History

A resident of Fredon Township, New Jersey, he graduated from Pope John XXIII Regional High School in 2005; Warner Brothers had signed his band to a recording deal while he was still in high school.[5]

After opening for Yeasayer at New York City's Governors Island in summer 2010 and a residency at Brooklyn club Union Pool, the band attracted media and record label attention. That year, Delicate Steve signed to Luaka Bop, who released the "Butterfly[6]" single, backed with a cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Albatross" on the B-side.[7]

Wondervisions (2011)

On January 25, 2011, Delicate Steve's debut album, Wondervisions, was released on Luaka Bop. The entirety of the album was recorded by Marion in his bedroom and quickly gained the attention of critics, becoming a "Critics' Choice" selection of The New York Times[8] as well as being included on NPR's "Favorite Songs of 2011".[9]

For the release of Wondervisions, author Chuck Klosterman wrote a fictional biography of Delicate Steve. The bio was originally published anonymously and was mostly taken as fact by fans and press, but was exposed in a feature news story on NPR's All Things Considered.[1]

Positive Force (2012)

In July 2012, Delicate Steve's sophomore record, Positive Force, was released on Luaka Bop. The album quickly received high praise, including an 84 from Filter,[10] an 8.5 from Paste,[11] a 7.6 in Pitchfork[12] and a 7 from Spin.[13]

For promotion of Positive Force, a legitimate biography of the band was written by Michael Azerrad, author of Our Band Could Be Your Life.[14]

On September 3, 2014, the band issued a free digital sampler EP, titled Multiple Moods Sampler, via Bandcamp.[15]

Live in Las Vegas (2015)

Following the release of Positive Force, the band toured with Tame Impala, Mac DeMarco, Dirty Projectors, Tune-Yards and Yeasayer. While supporting Tame Impala on their US tour, a live album was recorded at a November 13, 2014 show at the Brooklyn Bowl in Las Vegas. Live in Las Vegas was released on March 3, 2015.[16]

This Is Steve (2017)

In 2016, Delicate Steve signed to Anti- and toured with Cass McCombs. In January 2017, the band's third album, This Is Steve, was released on Anti-.[17] The album was recorded entirely by Marion at Outlier Inn studios in Woodridge, NY in 11 days.

Till I Burn Up (2019)

In 2019, Delicate Steve released Till I Burn Up on Anti-. The album is marked by an exploration of experimental elements and guitar tones inspired in part by Kanye West’s vocals on My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, particularly the use of distorted and Auto-Tuned room mics. Later in 2019, West would go on to sample Wally Wilder, a track from Delicate Steve’s 2012 release, Positive Force.[18]

Collaborations

As a guitarist, Marion has performed live on stage with Mac DeMarco, Kimbra, Built to Spill,[19] Yeasayer, Dirty Projectors, Sonic Youth's Lee Ranaldo, Dr. Dog,[20] Tune-Yards, Kyp Malone, Khaira Arby,[21] Akron/Family, Ra Ra Riot, Fang Island, Sondre Lerche, Nicole Atkins and Seltzer Boys (a supergroup consisting of Yeasayer and Suckers members).[22]

Marion also collaborated with Paul Simon on his 2015 album Stranger to Stranger.[23]

In 2017, Marion joined the Growlers as a guitarist for their City Club world tour.[24]

Marion collaborated with Amen Dunes to record guitar on the 2018 album Freedom. The record was met with positive critical acclaim, earning the title of “Best New Music” from Pitchfork.[25] Uproxx critic Steven Hyden wrote, "With Marion’s understated but assertive guitar acting as the album's focal point, Freedom recalls the arena-ready, widescreen sweep of U2 or the Verve".[26]

In 2019, Marion joined The Black Keys as a guitarist on their “Let’s Rock” tour.[27]

Discography

Studio albums
  • Wondervisions (2011, Luaka Bop)
  • Positive Force (2012, Luaka Bop)
  • This Is Steve (2017, Anti-)
  • The Christmas Album (2018, Anti-)
  • Till I Burn Up (2019, Anti-)
  • After Hours (2022, Anti-)

EPs
  • Cowboy Stories (2017, Anti-)

Singles
  • "Butterfly" 7" (2011, Luaka Bop)
  • "Many Moods" digital with Zach Hill (2011, self-released)
  • "Valerie" 7" with Ra Ra Riot (2012, Barsuk Records)
  • "Further Out" 7 with Callers (2012, Western Vinyl)

Live albums
  • Live in Las Vegas (2015, self-released)

Compilation EPs
  • Multiple Moods Sampler digital EP (2014, self-released)

Compilation appearances
  • "I'm Just Beginning to Live" (Jonathan Richman cover) on Panache Mixtape Series - Vol. 2 (2014)
  • “Hallelujah - Live” (Leonard Cohen cover) on Sincerely, L. Cohen: A Live Celebration of Leonard Cohen (2017)[28]

Guest appearances


References
  1. "Everything You Know About This Band Is Wrong: The Record". NPR. 2011-04-20. Retrieved 2013-05-10.
  2. Pareles, Jon; Ratliff, Ben; Chinen, Nate (7 February 2011). "Critics' Choice: New CDs". The New York Times. Retrieved 2017-03-15.
  3. "DELICATE STEVE ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM 'TILL I BURN UP' – SHARES "SELFIE OF A MAN" SINGLE". Glidemagazine.com. 23 January 2019. Retrieved 2020-04-07.
  4. McCollum, Brian. "Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys is ready for a rock 'n' roll revival". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2019-10-03.
  5. Bouchal, Lyndsay Cayetana. "Delicate Steve frontman happy to be home", New Jersey Herald, April 22, 2011. Accessed January 12, 2017. "The Fredon resident began taking private piano lessons as child, but when he was given a toy guitar by his grandmother one Christmas, the young musician quickly switched to guitar.... His first brush with the professional world of music came in 2004 when his high school band was signed by Warner Brothers. Marion was a 2005 Pope John graduate."
  6. Delicate Steve – Butterfly (Official Video), retrieved 2023-03-24
  7. "Delicate Steve - Wondervisions - Preview Stream". Luakabop.com. 2011-02-01. Retrieved 2017-03-15.
  8. Pareles, Jon; Ratliff, Ben; Chinen, Nate (7 February 2011). "Critics' Choice: New CDs". The New York Times. Retrieved 2017-03-15.
  9. "Music's 100 Favorite Songs Of 2011". NPR. 2011-12-14. Retrieved 2013-05-10.
  10. "Reviews - Delicate Steve". FILTER Magazine. 2012-07-27. Retrieved 2013-05-10.
  11. Nicole Oran (2012-07-04). "Delicate Steve: Positive Force :: Music :: Reviews :: Paste". Pastemagazine.com. Retrieved 2013-05-10.
  12. "Delicate Steve: Positive Force | Album Reviews". Pitchfork. 2012-08-29. Retrieved 2013-05-10.
  13. Bevan, David (2012-07-09). "Delicate Steve, 'Positive Force' (Luaka Bop) | SPIN | Albums | Critical Mass". SPIN. Retrieved 2013-05-10.
  14. "Delicate Steve - Positive Force". Luakabop.com. Retrieved 2017-03-15.
  15. Anti- Records. "Delicate Steve". Delicatesteve.bandcamp.com. Retrieved 2017-03-15.
  16. "Live in Las Vegas, by Delicate Steve". Delicate Steve. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  17. Berman, Stuart (January 28, 2017). "Delicate Steve: This Is Steve Album Review". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved 2017-01-28.
  18. Von Bader, David (May 30, 2019). "Steve Marion: Push the Box". www.premierguitar.com. Retrieved 2019-10-03.
  19. "Delicate Steve's long, awesome Doug Martsch / Built To Spill story (profanity)". YouTube. 2014-03-21. Retrieved 2017-03-15.
  20. "Delicate Steve with Dr. Dog". YouTube. 2013-03-16. Retrieved 2017-03-15.
  21. "Khaira Arby and her band returning to North America, playing some shows w/ Delicate Steve (summer 2011 dates)". Brooklynvegan.com. 2011-06-30. Retrieved 2017-03-15.
  22. "Seltzer Boys = members of Yeasayer, Suckers & Delicate Steve; playing 2nd show in 3 years tonight (with Penis)". Brooklynvegan.com. 2014-08-19. Retrieved 2017-03-15.
  23. "Delicate Steve working with Paul Simon, releasing live album (listen), touring, playing SXSW, & NYC w/ No Chief". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 2018-02-11.
  24. "Guitar Hero Delicate Steve Joins The Growlers". Anti Records. Retrieved 2018-02-11.
  25. "Amen Dunes: Freedom Album Review | Pitchfork". pitchfork.com. Retrieved 2018-04-01.
  26. "Amen Dunes' 'Freedom' Is One Of The Year's Best Indie Rock Records". UPROXX. 2018-03-28. Retrieved 2018-04-01.
  27. "The Black Keys Unveil New Live Band At Target Center". self-titled. 2019-09-30. Retrieved 2019-10-03.
  28. Blistein, Jon (2017-08-31). "Leonard Cohen Tribute Concert Gets Digital, Vinyl Release". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2019-10-03.
  29. "Beyond the Drone - Saint Rich | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2018-02-11.
  30. "First Listen: Sondre Lerche, 'Please'". NPR.org. Retrieved 2018-02-11.
  31. "Break Line: A Musical by Anand Wilder & Maxwell Kardon - Maxwell Kardon, Anand Wilder | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2018-02-11.
  32. "Physiques - People Get Ready | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2018-02-11.
  33. "Fragrant World - Yeasayer | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2018-02-11.
  34. "Freedom, by Amen Dunes". Amen Dunes. Retrieved 2018-02-11.
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