AJ Steel

This edgy melodic pop/rock/indie gig is going to be better than the taste of your first drink on Friday.   The crunchy guitars and pounding drums of QLC are sweetened by the edgy melodic  rock songs of an acoustic performance by A.J. Steel with the tang infused by The Vorstand Circus who will take you back the birth of Pink Floyd and The Beatles. 

 

Tickets are $10 at the door or $5 pre sale at TryBooking.com

Hi Everyone,

 

Easter has been and gone and the year is marching on.  Did you get to spend it doing something you really like?  I hope so.  Easter got me thinking about freedom, true freedom and not necessarily monetary freedom - though it is definitely one kind - but intrinsic freedom.  Freedom from the voice in your head.  The kind that happens when you unexpectedly find stillness.   I think it can be a tricky place to get to and if you do arrive it can be an even more difficult place to find a permanent reservation. 

 

The song, Run With The Buffalo, which is a guitar and vocal demo only, came from a thought that my mind is only really quiet when I'm engaged in something that focuses my attention on right now.  I think real freedom is a place you have to find on your own, it's not a space someone can lead you to.  Perhaps one of the keys may be immersing yourself in the task at hand.  You can listen and download the demo of Run With The Buffalo here.

 

My next show will feature an extended line up with a bass guitarist locking down the low end with me on the 11th May at 303 Bar, 303 High St Northcote Vic.  Doors will open at 8pm.  You can pre purchase tickets for $5, book here.  Tickets at the door will be $10. 

 

Keep well.  Have a great day and thanks for your constant support.

 

A.J. Steel

www.ajsteelmusic.com

This is an acoustic guitar and vocal demo of a new song. I like to keep the arrangement simple with new songs so I can really hear whether or not the song is strong enough to survive. I hope you like this song.

DWLTL Progress 4 by AJ Steel

 

Well this song DWLTL(Don't Wanna Lose This Love) is creeping closer to being finished.  It's been through a few different incarnations, arrangements and instrumentation.  Some of them take a really long time to find their voice.

This Moment

AJ Steel 2012

 

The constant chatter

goes on and on

A circular conversation

goes around and around

"Would you like a coffee?"

"How was your weekend?"

"He is so fucking useless!"

"Christ I'm bored!"

 

A moment ignites

A moment burns

It's print lost

in the ash that falls

from it’s grand form

lost in the birth of a new dawn.

I'm hoping to be back at 303 Bar in May.  I was feeling a little blue waiting for the venue to confirm and also working on quite hard on DWLTL but seemingly going no where.  The song has gone through a lot of production iterations which have high lighted some poorly recorded tracks that I'll be re recording.  I think I was feeling blue because I felt like things were beyond my control but simply just doing a few small things and taking some action has shifted my mood.  That's all it takes sometimes, you just to take control of what's important to you.  There's nothing more disheartening than feeling like you tangled up in a serious of circular thoughts.

 

Have a great day.

 

AJ

I've been working some more on DWLTL and I thought it was coming together.  I was wrong.  I like the song but I've decided I don't like the direction it's going in right now.  It's too big.  It's too much of production and it doesn’t feel right.  I know realise after having travelled some distance down this road that it's not the right path to take.  This is what I've got so far.  As you' can hear it is becoming a big production and I think that that is distracting.  I don't feel like I'm in the song.  The song should up close, personal.  Like your confiding you deepest inner feelings to your best friend. 

 

I'll be pulling this apart and putting it back together over the next week.  I wonder what I'll get at the end of this experiment.

 

Have a great day.

 

AJ

 

Don't Wanna Lose This Love_progress by AJ Steel

Dont't Wanna Lose This Love (DWLTL) by AJ Steel

 

I've been doing a little more work on this song and this is where it's at now.  No middle 8 yet but something is on the way.

I'm considering re singing the whole song, but we'll see.

AJ

Saturday was a good gig.  I played some new songs that I am considering putting on the album and they went down well.  True Heart got a few mentions from people in the audience who I spoke to after the show.  Others who hadn't heard me before liked my honest and openness in my song.  The heart on your sleeve element.  It was a hot, hot night.  I was completely soaked after the show.  I looked like I had been for a swim not like I'd just played a 40 minute set.  Those gigs are favourite.  If your sweating playing rock than your doing it wrong!

 

I did have one bizarre event take place.  I couldn't remember how the last song in my set went .  This has happened to everyone I'm sure.  Hey I'm human, I make mistakes.  Cut me some slack. :)  I announced proudly that I'd forgotten my OWN song and both the audience and I had a laugh before it all came flooding back me and the night finished on a high.  I don't find it embarrassing, just weird.  It rarely happens to me, I could the number of times on one hand.  It was like the hard drive on your computer being wiped.  Nothing would boot up.  Everything worked out in the end and that's what a live show is all about.  The spontaneous, the unplanned.  You don't get that on a record or in a video.  It's the one thing that makes a live show exciting.  It's what makes being alive a thrill.  Spontaneity is the seed of fun.

 

Have a great day.

 

AJ

It's Thursday the 16th Feb and I feel a little tired.  A good tired though.  The kind you feel  after you've been working.  I had rehearsal last night in prep for the show this Saturday then got home at fired up the studio.  I only wanted to do an hour because it was late already but I got caught inside this song and it was 1.30am before I realised the time and how long I'd been there.  Today is a high caffeine consumption day.

 

It was just so much fun.  I'm really enjoying music right now.  There a period not so long ago when I was a little disappointed with it.  Not everything is great all the time, but making this record is really just a lot of fun.  Which crystallised something I had been think for some time.  Every day you should do something fun.  It doesn't have to be big, expensive or involve notoriety, just something that makes you feel good.

 

Have a great day.

 

AJ

Free music

This is the work in progress for the first chorus and and 2nd verse for DWLTL (Don't Wanna Lose This Love)  It's a rough mix of the tracks that I've recorded so far.

 

DWLTL - DEMO by AJ Steel

 

Free music

This is the set list I'm rehearsing for my gig at 303 Bar on the 18th Feb.  I think I'm going to rearrange the song order though.  I don't think it flows as well as it could now. 

Free music

I spent last night recording some vocals for my song Runaway. At this stage I've just done verses and it's proving to be on of my favourites on the album.

I cut the vocals for the verse for Don't Wanna Lose This Love last night and recorded some of the process.

I've been continuing to record my debut album.  The latest song I've been working on is DWLTL (Don't Wanna Loose This Love).  Last night I recorded some acoustic rhythm and lead guitars.  I'd like the song to have a contrast between being really beautiful and some darker more rougher elements.  I've had this song lying around for a long time and I've always liked it.  It always seems to get a good response from the audience when it's played and I thought that my debut album would be the perfect vehicle to bring this song to life and let it out in to the world.

 

Tonight I'll begin recording some lead vocals.  It may take some time to do these because I have a few different ways I could sing it and I just need to find the way that feels right.  I have an idea but I'll know when I hit record whether it's the one or not.

 

Thanks for hanging out.  Have a great day.

 

AJ

This is the acoustic version of my new song TOO MANY which I recorded sometime ago.  I hope to have to song out into the world by early March and you can get it FREE by joining my mailing list. 

 

I was all set go last night for rehearsal.  Loaded up the car, a clean fresh set list just waiting to be worked and the car wouldn't even tick over.  Flat battery.  So I spent the night at home learning Pumped Up Kicks by Foster The People.  I'm not sure how I'm going to play it yet but I definitely want to put my stamp on it.

 

I've put together a tracking sheet for the album so I can see what needs to be done recording wise for each song.  It's very exciting.  I'm really into this record right now.  The songs just make me feel good.  Too Many, one of the songs from the album, will be out soon, so to all those people on my mailing list you'll be getting this song first and you'll be getting it for FREE.  If you haven't joined up it's not too late to get onboard and get new music first and for FREE.

 

Have a great day.

 

AJ

So I went to rehearsal last night in preparation for my solo acoustic show on the 18th Feb at 303 Bar and I'm finally starting to work out a new song called Runaway.  It's taken a few runs through before the song has begun to settle into its own form.  The melody has developed and the lyrics are pretty well done.

 

 The song came from thinking about prostitution and why someone would choose to do that  to make money.  I know there's the usual drug scenario but maybe this person was damaged before then and in amongst the tangled web of voices and thoughts in their mind they feel this is all they can do.  It's not judgmental by any means, just exploration of the topic.  I'll be recording an acoustic version for You Tube very soon so you can hear it.

 

 

Runaway

AJ Steel 2012

 

She's caught between

a bad and an evil

She's caught between the gun and

a needle

None of us are born this way

but daddy came into her room one day

 

Run, runaway

before your heart wants the poison

to stay

Run Runaway

while you've got the chance to breathe

in the day

Run, run, run

Run away, runaway

 

She's sells her body for sex

distinguished gentlemen pay her the best

the drugs the only thing that lets her rest

because when she's high she can forget

about it

 

Run, runaway

before your heart wants the poison

to stay

Run Runaway

while you've got the chance to breathe

in the day

Run, run, run

Run away, runaway

I've been sifiting around for a new song to personalise like I did to the Hoodoo Gurus, Come Anytime.  I've been wracking my brains on how I could do something a little different with a mainstream hit and I think I'm going to go with 'Pumped Up Kicks' by Foster The People.

 

Here's the Hoodoo Gurus cover I did.

 

Rest

AJ Steel 2011

 

 

Wrap myself in ice,

I am frozen in the snow.

motionless, alseep.

It’s quiet.

 

Peace has come to

lay with me.

She is comforting,

She is wise.

 

I'm the only one

in this wide open space.

I lay aleep like a fallen tree

waiting for spring to uncover me.

 

In the distant

I hear footsteps pressing into the snow.

I'm ok, I'm ok,

you can leave, you can go.

 

I want to rest,

I want to rest

and be reborn when springtime comes.

Now I want to rest.

This is one of my favourite songs of time. I really love the honesty in the song about feeling isolated. It just gets inside me. I'd love to know what you guys think? www.ajsteelmusic.com

Honesty

AJ Steel 2011

 

Honesty is rude.

Rude like first light

after drinking all night.

 

It smacks you round

and throws you to the ground

Strangles your dreams until

their breath runs out.

 

Only the strongest,

the toughest survive.

The ones you protect

with the point of a knife.

 

I think this is a really, really good song. To hear it you need to press play then switch off your computer monitor or close your eyes. You can't watch it, you have to hear it.

Hi all,

 

This is a very quick email to let you know that the IDGAFF Gig tonight has been cancelled.

 

Bummer.  The reason is, I have been unsuccessfully trying to confirm the date and time with the venue for the past week and have had no reply.    So to avoid being disappointed by turning up and being told that 'you're not on the bill' and to let you know when you've made the effort to come down that it's not on I've decided to pull out.  

 

NOW, the good news.  This means that next Sat the 27th Aug at 303 Bar in High St Northcote with Quarter Life Crisis is going to be even better!  It's $5 entry and the doors open at 8pm.  Show starts at 8.30pm.  

 

Look forward to seeing you there.  Have a great weekend!

 

AJ Steel

www.ajsteelmusic.com

 

Hello all,

 

I hope you’re finding a warm way to while a way the winter days.  The glimpse of warmer weather has revived my enthusiasm that once again that favourite T-shirt will see more than the inside of a drawer.

 

I’ve decided not to release the last song I’ve been working on because I just feel like not’s really relevant anymore.  It doesn’t seem to have a strong enough reason to live yet, well in my mind anyway.

 

There is a new song is under construction in the studio and it’s probably about halfway there. 

 

This month there are two shows on;

 

Sat 20^th Aug

IDGAFF

160 Hoddle St Abbotsford VIC

 

AND

 

Sat 27^th Aug

301

301 High St Northcote

 

There is a secret FREE download page at www.ajsteelmusic.com Happy hunting!

 

I hope to see you at a show.

 

AJ Steel

 

 

AJ Steel

www.ajsteelmusic.com

This song is one of the classic well worn Neil Young songs. It's from the Album Harvest which was one of the first records that really gave me the bug to want to write. A copy of the album was given to me by a friend at my very first job that said 'if you're into writing songs than you've got to listen to this.' He also gave me a copy of Dire Straits 'Telegraph Road.' Which I must uncover and listen to again.

I just started listening to Harvest again and I really dig the honesty in his songs. There's no fluff. He's not writing to sell 10million albums he's just writing. Doing because it's just what he does. I really respect this level of authenticity which still exists but can be hard to find.

I hope you guys enjoy this too!

 

 

AJ Steel

Denial

AJ Steel 2011

 

My skin was crawling with discontent

caught in the crest of a wave

pushing towards the rocks

the collision will leave me

broken and bent

 

But I can't turn away

I can't escape

When the wave get's a hold of you

you're spun around in the wash

like a childs toy you're tossed

 

Bloodied by your uppercut

punched in the chest by your full stop

When was the moment you decided

to get off?

 

The quiet is too much to handle

But I sit here in denial, bracing myself for impact

Waiting for the wave to crash

and break my back.

Some Days

AJ Steel 2011

 

Some days I feel I'm getting old

before my time.

Are you younger in years than in your mind?

 

Some days I couldn't be bothered

to answer the phone.

It's better for them and me to think I'm

I'm not home.

 

Some days I don't wanna feed the dog.

It's not his fault I'm in this

muddy bog.

 

Some days I work hard on shining

the stars.

I scrub, I clean, polish them with moon beams.

Still they don't shine far.

 

Let's just fill up the tank

and go drive in your car.

You don't see the heart of me

Copyright AJ Steel 2011

 

You don't see the heart of me

as your steam boat sails across the sea

You don't see the heart of me

A drift between hope and disbelief

 

I'm just like you I need to be loved

I need to know that I am good enough

That what I accumulate is more than stuff

To know my life will amount to much

 

You don't see the heart of me

giving away the best parts for free

You don't see the heart of me

when you're selling all your philosophies

 

I'm just like you I need to be loved

I need to know that I am good enough

That what I accumulate is more than stuff

To know my life will amount to much

 

You don't see the heart of me

It's buried beneath what you want to see

You don't see the heart of me

You don't know the heart me

 

I'm just like you I need to be loved

I need to know that I am good enough

That what I accumulate is more than stuff

To know my life will amount to much

Into the dark

AJ Steel 2011

 

Into the dark

I threw myself.

Into drugs,

Into sex.

Into booze,

Into to the ooze

 

Naked bodies,

smooth soft skin.

Breasts, lips

wide and thin hips

 

I snorted,

I screwed.

I drank

I got tanked.

 

Consumed by existence

not by subsistence.

The thrill wore thin

I was getting

lost in the din.

 

I had to get out,

I had to escape,

It's only love

that can open that gate.

Worn

Copyright AJ Steel 2011

 

I'm tired of the hoo ha,

I'm tired of the chant.

I'm tired of being delivered the

same old rant.

 

I'm tired of consumable.

I'm tired of expendable.

I'm tired of rushing around

just to sit in traffic in this town.

 

I'm tired of fence sitters

to scared to make a mark.

Always agreeable

but always in the dark.

 

I've had too much of being sold

worthless metals painted as gold.

I've had enough of wannabees.

I've had enough of fucking celebrities.

The Plain Tree

Copyright AJ Steel 2011

 

The plain tree stands

tall and proud

in summer when

the sun comes out.

Her branches are wide

and filled to brim,

with big green leaves

inviting the sun to come in.

 

But summer days

give way to rain,

to snow and sleet

and winters wicked ways.

Her leaves turn a golden brown

falling to the ground

like a feathered pillow

with it's stuffing being pulled out.

 

It's a casual assumption she'll make it through,

with all the hostility that winter can throw at you.

Every day she manages to survive

While she waits on war

Heart of gold

copyright AJ Steel 2011

 

The Millennium condition

Copyright AJ Steel 2011

 

Beep, honk, send, receive

"what's wrong with this internet speed?"

Push, shove, assault, attack

"You're in my way man, get off my back!"

Agitate, aggravate, stir, disturb

"Did you read my blog, did you read my blurb?"

Hustle, deal, sign, resign

There so much I have to do

But just can't find the time!

Hi ya’ll,

 

I hope the world is treating you kindly.  I’m sitting here pumping Wolfmothers Californian Queen through iPod phones, but who cares really.  This isn’t Facebook is it?

 

The AJ Steel website has changed a little since you were there last.  It’s still under construction so if you do venture in please follow proper OH&S protocol.  Hard hat, fluro orange or green vest (if green is more your colour and work boots, no flip flops or runners.  We cant let you in with that footwear, it’s for your safety!

 

I’ve just sent my next song, Too Many, off to the mixer/executive producer for approval.  Fingers crossed I haven’t really made a mess that can’t be undone, we’ll see.  However the good news is that this means some AJ Steel material is only moments away from being set free into the world.  You may want to jump for joy now or run for the hills.

 

Thanks for sticking around, I really appreciate it.

 

 

We’ll talk again soon, I promise.  Not too often but often enough.

 

AJS

www.ajsteelmusic.com

We need hope

(Copyright AJ Steel 2011)

 

What do you see when you look at me?

do you see a person who dreams?

or a see a soul for you to conquer?

 

What do you want to do to the world you see?

destruction only fuels the pain you see

Are you drowning in insiginificance like me?

 

We need hope

we need to know

that tomorrow we won't be alone

We need hope

We need to know

that tomorrow we won't be alone

 

What is inside the canyon of your heart?

is it love?, is it frustration?

are you fighting a battle that's sure to pull you apart?

 

Are you standing on the edge of what you can take?

Are you trapped inside an emotions as wide as the oceans

suffocating under the weight of desperation

 

We need hope

we need to know

that tomorrow we won't be alone

We need hope

We need to know

that tomorrow we won't be alone

These are some draft lyrics for a new song I've started writing. 

 

You're doing it right

(Copyright  AJ Steel 2011)

 

The man wants to break you

to shatter your heart

piece by piece he'll pull it apart

 

It's all about money,

it's not about art

that's why you'll never get the part

 

stand up

you can take them all

you are tougher enough

to tear this place apart

they want to trample all over your heart

convince you to not even start

but I will shine a light

shine a light

because you're doing it right.

 

The machine is big

with levers and gears

it's driven by people with no ears

 

You wanna voice?

well you have the choice

to make the art that's in your heart

 

stand up

you can take them all

you are tougher enough

to tear this place apart

they want to trample all over your heart

convince you to not even start

but I will shine a light

shine a light

because you're doing it right.

 

 

Their dollar bills are piled high

as big as mountains

that reach into the sky

They feed you sweets

so nice to eat

but leave you hungry

you rush back with a hurry

 

stand up

you can take them all

you are tougher enough

to tear this place apart

they want to trample all over your heart

convince you to not even start

but I will shine a light

shine a light

because you're doing it right.

These are the songs for that I'll playing tonight at IDGAFF, 160 Hoddle St, Abbotsford, VIC, Australia.  It's mixture of new and old songs.

AJ Steel IDGAFF Set list

1. Somedays

2. Brand New Day

3. Altered State

4. Satellites and Cars

5. True heart

6. Too Many

7. Lay a little love on me

8. Day Pass

9. Slow Down

 

Thanks for hanging out.  Have a great afternoon.

 

AJS

You're so fucked up

it feels good.

You feel like you're the king of the hood.

When it feels this good

why would you change?

why would you wanna come down,

experience an average day?

I'm feeling a sense of disconnect.  Disconnect between me and something.  It feels like I'm on the outside looking in at everyone having a party.  It should be enough to just exist you'd think.  To have your health, just be.  Not think about what your time will amount to when it's over.  When you spend the bulk of your time working at something you can't help to wonder whether it has been and will be worthwhile.  Will it be memorable or will it and you just slip away into the obscurity of the crowd.  Could I have spent this time a better way?  Do you feel like that?  this leads me to my next point, which is the real reason I'm typing.

 

Regrets.  I'm sure I'm not alone in this feeling and I know these feelings are exacerbated when you're tired.  I struggle with this bullshit saying 'live life with no regrets.'  What a load of crap.  Everyone has regrets.  I think if you don't than you are so messed up you're probably living in ignorant bliss.  You lucky sod.  Sure, some regrets are greater than others, but everyone has them.  If they don't yet they must be a child who hasn't lived long enough to accumulate them.  The question is how do you deal with them?  How do you lay them to rest?  Is it with a stake through the heart?

 

Most days you don't see them.  You're so busy trying to get somewhere you haven't got time to consider them.  Then think, I'm working my nits off and going nowhere.  Then, bam!  There they are right in front of you.  You're forced to stop in the middle of the highway.  You slow down and go around them.  They're be too big to just drive over and pretend they never existed.  How do we file these away so that we can always look forward and not back?  Is it just part of the human condition?

This song is about those days you have when it feels like the odds are stacked against you.  When nothing seems to go right and you wonder what's the point in continuing to fight for what you love, for what you want, for what you desire.  It's in these moments when a simple smile or a genuine 'Hello, how are you doing?' can really lift your spirit and carry you through.  When some one 'lays a little love on you.'

 

AJS

 

I was walking through city today around lunch time and found myself feeling really great.  Why? It dawned on me that although I may not be 'living the dream' as some call it I'm having a bloody good time getting there.  I'm really liking the newer songs that I'm writing and having the luxury of being able to record them at home on my terms is excellent.  No more pressure of having to a get all done in a day or two.  Recorded and mixed.  That said, however you have to be careful to not let things drag on, which I have been guilty of.  No more though.  It's time for strict, self imposed deadlines!

 

It's not about being perfect, the best, the most number of awards (although should the world decide to lay those on me I will except them) but being true to you.  So if that means you write Pop/Rock than that's what you do.  Sometimes I feel like I don't fit into the current musical landscape and in the past that has bothered me a little, not enough to change my style, but sometimes I think "what if I had more of this influence in my songs?"  It never last for more than an hour two before I quickly revert back to just doing my thing the way I do it.  I feel like a fake trying to emulate something.  That's not why started doing this, so why start now.  Today though I felt like this feeling that floats by of not fitting in doesn't matter anymore and I love it!  It really feels like creatively I'm free.  What a ride!

 

Hope you're are well.

 

Have a great day.

 

AJS

Here is a small clip from the Whittlesea Music festival of a new song of mine called True Heart.

Whittlesea Music festival wrap up.

True Heart (Copyright AJ Steel 2011) Oh what am I to do Now my plans have fallen through Oh what am I to do This kingdom will collapse without you My spirit wants to ride the wave But my head it wants to disengage With eyes as pure as the white snow In my ear you whisper let it go Because a true heart Will guide you home And true heart It won’t yield Because true hearts Are strong as steel And a true heart can lift a grown man When he kneels Where’s my true heart Oh what am I to say When the newspaper calls today Oh what am I to say The price of this ticket Is too much to pay Like thief trapped in a corner It’s getting colder not warmer In my head it’s a jungle And for my heart it’s a struggle Because a true heart Will guide you home And true heart It won’t yield Because true hearts Are strong as steel And a true heart can lift a grown man When he kneels Where’s my true heart

I was recently interviewed by an Italian Music News Website called Attik Music.  Check it out if you are Italian or can read Italian.  It's great website that supports unsigned artists and Independent music. 

Click here for interview

AJS

There are a million music blogs out there and see of bands and solo artists all trying to get there mp3's on your mp3 and mp4 players.

 

This website is a site I've found to be really on when it comes to independent music.  I will add more links soon but if you're after new music and don't know where to start to find it try this blog from the get go.

http://obscuresound.com/

http://indiependentmusic.blogspot.com/

 

AJS