Stef Burns: I feel great! I'm so happy that is is finished. Playing the songs live is a thrill because the songs get stronger as the band gets better.
Stef Burns: It's nothing more than my address and your address, because we all live in the same home, this planet.
Stef Burns: I have always sang, mostly back up vocals, but I haven't recorded lead vocals before, and I was inspired to write lyrics about things that I had on my mind. And I really enjoyed writing with my friends including my brother Josh, who wrote the lyrics for "Space Time".
Stef Burns: "Begin" is a rocker and is basically about optimism. "In Your Room" is a love song. It rocks with an R&B flavor. "Her Brightest Sun" is about someone in a difficult situation, yet full of hope - 6/8 groove and infused with jazz. "Space Time" is a funky jazz/pop song with horns and killer solos.
"Little Wing" is a beautiful Hendrix song that I have always loved and we recorded live.
Stef Burns: I love Steely Dan. They are remarkable. Sometimes the flavors of my favorite musicians flow through the music.
Stef Burns: I don't really have any, I just sing and try and hope for the best. I am in awe of good singers.
Stef Burns: Yes. In Europe we just finished a tour with Juan Van Emmerloot on drums, Fabio Valdemarin on keyboards and Walter Latupeirissa on bass. On the CD there are many musicians and guest artists, those in the live band plus Huey Lewis, Bill Champlin, Sean Hopper, Peppino D'Agostino, Lyle Workman, Abe Laboriel Jr., Jimmy Johnson, Jeff Campitelli, Marc Russo, John Seppala, Benny Rietveld, Josh Birnbaum, Paolo Muscovi, Giovanni Toffaloni, Rob Sudduth and more."
Stef Burns: Indeed, I am fortunate to know and play with some of the most amazing musicians.
Stef Burns: My dear friend, duo partner and awesome acoustic guitarist plays on two songs and co-wrote the single "Begin" with me. He plays beautiful guitar on "Begin" and "Isle Mystique."
Stef Burns: My dear buddy Lyle is so talented, it is scary. He can do so much, composing, arranging, playing, recording. We recorded at his studio near Los Angeles. I love his solo albums and I have wanted to work with him for a long time, finally I had the chance and the results are wonderful.
Stef Burns: Thank you so much. "Burns' Blues" is inspired by one of my favorites, Jeff Beck. It's blues with a twist. "Mepukori" is based on another song entitled "Spasimo" written by Mario Riso from the "Rezophonic" album in Italy. Lyle and I rearranged, rewrote, and added a new middle section that is gorgeous. Then we got to trade guitar solos.
"On My Way Home" was co-written with Walter and is a very feel good track with lots of atmosphere. "Isle Mystique" I co-wrote with Juan and it has a cool feel. Juan is another multi talented guy who writes, plays and records so very well. He is also an excellent driver!
"Shine" I cowrote with Fabio and might be the most emotional track on the album. He is such an incredible piano player, and if you go to his web site, you'll see and hear he plays bass, guitar and drums very well. Also trumpet!
Stef Burns: It is a name that means "he who feeds the hungry" in the Maasai language.
Stef Burns: I love live performances. If they come out well, they capture the beauty of improvisation. That is one of the things that I love about music and this band, the moments of improvisation that change from gig to gig are wonderful. There are two live recordings, "On My Way Home" and "Little Wing".
Stef Burns: I have loved it since the first time I heard it. It is a little masterpiece. When you play it live it is perfect for improvising with the soaring changes and slow tempo.
Stef Burns: Yes, we have a couple of ideas brewing right now.
Stef Burns: My label and agency. They are my guiding force through Italy and I love working with them.
Stef Burns: I used my '91 Strat on everything except acoustic parts. Amps include the Marshall JCM 900 and JCM 2000, Fender Hot Rod DeVille and a Bruno. Also on "Mepukori" an early '70s Marshall Super Lead. Effects were minimal: Advance Cat Drive Boost, Boss compressor, Pro Tools plug ins for delay and reverb, Whammy pedal, wah, etc.
Stef Burns: I feel very comfortable, but not sedentary because there is always room to grow and change. I will never give up the instrumental tunes that I love. I enjoy singing and writing so there is still more to do there.
Stef Burns: It is wonderfully intense. The fans in Italy feel so passionate about the music that it is contagious and we, the band, rise up to a higher level with that energy.
Stef Burns: Spending time with my family between and while touring with Huey Lewis and The News and Vasco Rossi. Hopefully some gigs with my band in the US and back in Europe, and writing more music for many things including my next record and the next record with Peppino. Enjoy my time on the planet.