Meet the Artist: PCL Blues Steve Strongman
JUNO Award-winning triple threat bluesman Steve Strongman has had a career full of highs and lows which has made for some great stories to share. He's been stranded in the most Northern settlement in the world, in -57 degree weather to boot, and always travels with a set of headphones (because of course he does!).
Read on to learn more about this charismatic guitarist, singer, and songwriter who returns to the intimate Engineered Air Theatre this January 21 & 22, 2022.
What’s the furthest you’ve travelled for a gig?
I had the pleasure of travelling to Alert Nunavut (the Northern Most settlement in the world) to entertain our Canadian Armed Forces that are stationed there. We flew in on a Hercules – it was -57 degrees. We were supposed to be there for three days. However, the weather changed and we were stranded there for two weeks! Weather conditions have to be just right for the plane to land (on ice). The people were amazing and treated us so incredibly well, it was an experience of a lifetime.
What’s the weirdest gig you’ve ever done?
It may be the ALERT show, only because the travel time and circumstances were so surreal….either that or the kickoff show for an NFL game at Giants Stadium in New York. We were on a stage in the end zone, set up with 67,000 people watching, and due to volume restrictions we couldn’t have our amps plugged in (had to use pre-recorded backing tracks), but we were singing live, but no guitar amps?….strange.
Did you develop a strange or unique pandemic hobby?
Not really, like the rest of us - just adjusting to the tech learning curve of online video calls! I became slightly obsessed with audio and video quality, sync issues etc…we were all thrown into the deep end and had to learn to swim quickly.
If you could put one thing on your rider, what would it be?
Beer, or…nope. Beer.
What is one thing you always travel with?
Headphones!
What’s your favourite thing about being Canadian?
It’s too hard to pick one thing, our country is incredible! Coast-to-coast, it is so diverse, and different. I think every Canadian if possible should do the coast-to-coast drive, just to fully experience how beautiful our landscape is….and we as Canadians are so polite and friendly, I love that.
What’s your preshow ritual?
Writing a set list out….not any set list, THE set list for that night’s performance. I have a blank white sheet of paper, a black sharpie, and a cold beverage. I put myself in the moment and treat every show as a stand-alone unique experience, because it is. Every night is different, and every night you have a chance to make an emotional connection with new people through music.
