From Just Listen To This

Words By Glenn Sargeant

Photo Credit: Jacqui van Staden

 Legendary South African blues rock, country, and Americana singer-songwriter and guitarist, Steve Louw will release his third solo album ‘Between Time’ on Friday 6th September 2024. He very kindly chatted to us at JLTT:

What is your earliest musical memory?

Duane Eddy, the album “Especially for You.” My dad brought it home from a DJ friend and “Rebel Rouser” blew my four-year-old mind. Still does!

Your new album ‘Between Time’ is released on 6th September 2024. How did you want to approach the making of the record?

Same as I always do, set up in a great sounding room with a great band and play. Nothing beats that chemistry!

Where did you record it and who produced it?

Kevin Shirley my life-long friend and collaborator, this is the seventh album we have made together, and we always have a good time making records together. We recorded the new album in Nashville and Kevin’s studio in Manly, Australia.

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the recording sessions?

Yes, playing “Get Real Gone” on acoustic and Kevin burst out laughing at the song. Once Doug Lancio played that riff on electric, he got it.

In addition, you have your single ‘Giants Walk The Land’ which is out now. What was the inspiration/story behind the song?

It’s a love song to Earth, the world won’t be lost, but we may be lost if we don’t learn to live in harmony with her.

The single is accompanied by an official music video. What was the idea behind it and who directed it?

Jacqui van Staden, we wanted to capture the stark beauty of nature, and a sense of rebirth.

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones?

Shure SM58 vocal mic

Do you have any live plans for 2024 in the UK and Europe?

Not at the moment, but we are working on it.

Another of the songs on the album is ‘Streets of Rain’. Who is on this track with you and what is the story/inspiration behind this song?

Lachy Doley plays the beautiful Hammond organ solo. It’s sung to anyone who has been in pain, everyone’s pain is personal, but you are not alone.

How do you look after your voice?

Ricola’s herbal drops, (est.1930 in Switzerland)

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

A feeling of community with the audience. That we have been to a beautiful place together.

Which of the tracks on your new album hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

a) “The Way your Heart Beats” (happiest)

b) “Killers” (angriest)

c) “Time To Get On” (most reflective)

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

Cape Town, South Africa. Mountains, Sea, two Oceans one warm one cold, vibrant with great coffee, surf and style.

Was it a difficult album to write?

Writing songs is a practice that I do all the time.

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

100 Years of Solitude, it has many dimensions and feels timeless.

What makes Steve Louw happy and what makes you unhappy?

Making records and writing songs. Destruction of the Natural environment.

Feature Image Photo Credit: Jacqui van Staden

Steve Louw’s new album “Between Time” is released on September 6th. Produced by Kevin Shirley and featuring Joe Bonamassa and Jim Moginie (Midnight Oil), the album is available to pre-order from https://orcd.co/SteveLouwBetweenTime