- STEO WALL -
Not everybody can boast such collaborators as Luka Bloom, Damien Dempsey and Davey Spillane on their debut album. But when you meet Steo Wall for the first time, you quickly understand why such legendary musicians wanted to get involved with Where I’m From – Steo’s debut album. A sound bloke, quick to laugh, with a rich Dublin accent and the wit to go match it; Where I’m From boasts eleven heartfelt biographical tracks. Damien Dempsey calls Steo’s work ‘Irish soul music', and was quick to ask Steo to be his warm up act on national tours in 2016, 2017 and at Christmas, 2018 Damo again asked Steo to warm up the crowd to a full house at Vicar St. Dempsey also features on the first track released from Steo’s album - What’s wrong with the world Ma.
“Steo Wall is set to join the likes of Damien Dempsey and Shane McGowan as a pioneering voice in Irish folk music” Peter McGoran, Hot Press Magazine. 2018
Mixing traditional Irish folk with some contemporary Irish rap, Steo brings the listener on a journey from the bad-lands of Dublin, working class, housing estates to the beauty of Ireland’s west coast. Steo paints a picture of rebellious, loved friends and adored, family members, the album being an homage to those gone before him. It’s these family members who give us an understanding of the depth of Steo’s musical influences. When Steo told Davey Spillane of the family connection to the world renowned, gypsy, uillean pipers, Johnny and Felix Doran, Davey offered to put his sound onto one of the tracks. Sarah Doran, an ode to Steo's traveller grandmother is the third track on the album, and Davey Spillane’s whistle is a beautifully-fitting tribute.
“Streetwise and sentimental, Steo’s gritty Dublin rap and folksy heart-on-sleeve love songs are definitely en vogue. The input of Luka Bloom and Damien Dempsey adds a professional polish to an uncut diamond. Eamon carr, Horslips.”
Growing up in Dublin gave Steo a grounding in rap, ‘Though I was more Toothpick then Tupac’, he jokes. But it also saw him lose friends and family members to prison and drugs. Steo left Dublin for Co. Clare in 2012, and started working as a fish smoker in Lisdoonvarna. He quickly immersed himself in the vibrant local music scene of North and West Clare, which is where he met his partner and the mother of his two children, Fair City actor Jacinta Sheerin, a fellow Dubliner born and bred. Jacinta sings backing vocals on a number of tracks from the album. The pair also sing as a duo in local pubs and clubs where Jacinta always encouraged Steo to sing his own songs. One of these songs, Little Babe, a love song to his unborn child, caught the attention of Irish folk legend Luka Bloom. Luka agreed to teach Steo the art of recording in studio, and co-produced ‘Where I’m From’; alongside Steo. In October 2018 Steo was asked to perform as part of the RTE Radio1 inaugural folk awards in Vicar Street. And in 2019 Steo was again asked to sing, Rainy Night in Soho as part of Irelands Favourite Folk Song which Aired on, RTE ONE. Since the launch of Where I’m From in June 2018, Steo has headlined Doolin Folk Festival, K-fest, Feile NASC, asked to sing at the RTE, #simplyfolk Tent at All Together Now and played countless Theatres and venues across Ireland.
“While Where I'm From is this Dublin-raised, Claire-based tunesmith's first album,
you'd be forgiven for thinking he's five records deep into his campaign.”
Edwin McFee, Hot Press Magazine, 2018.
‘Where I’m From’ is a love letter to the people and places who raised him from a boy, into a man, who wears his heart on his sleeve. With authentic lyrics, beautiful musicianship and melodies that you’ll find yourself singing for days ‘Where I’m From’ is like a burst of colour on a monochrome landscape.
LINKS
Website: steowall.ie
Facebook: www.facebook.com/stewallmusic
Instagram: www.instagram.com/steowallmusic
YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCRkXxQS_gtY37je8_dyWB4w