“Dublin accent dripping from each syllable, ‘Glory Days’ is as classic as Irish folk music can get- and at the same time, it’s refreshing and modern”– Hot Press
Fresh from recording his contribution to Ireland 100: An Old Song Re Sung, an RTE and South Wind Blows presentation which will be broadcast on RTE 1 Television on October 30th, Steo Wall’s second album, Street Wisdom For Lost Souls goes on release tomorrow, Friday October 20th.
Referred to by Hot Press as “One of the most pioneering voices in the Irish folk music scene”; this has to be one of the most accurate statements relating to any Irish artist to date in 2023 and with his new album, Co. Clare based STEO WALL, displays with the greatest of ease just why this statement is seamlessly true!
STEO, whose proud Traveller heritage is a big theme in his music endearingly talks of his Glory Days single;‘‘…It came to me in a few hours during the pandemic, like a musical hug from the ancestors.” Steo continued affectionately; “I wanted to get the words, me auld segotia into a song. Then once I did, memories of old friends and characters from my childhood flooded my mind and I just followed the path. I hope the listener gets the same nostalgia filled buzz from listening as I did from the writing.”
Released in September, Glory Days was the fourth track to be taken from the album and is preceded by Borstal Boy, My People and More Blacks More Dogs More Irish. More Blacks More Dogs More Irish featuring vocal powerhouse Toshín was released last winter and is an anti-racism/protest song written as a middle finger to anyone who looks down their nose at anyone else. Steo speaks more on this track later in this document. Written by Steo, Glory Days is produced with Martin O’Malley, who co-produced the new album also, with Steo and is mastered by the inimitable Brian Masterson @ Soundscape.
The last month has been very special for Steo; his most recent single Glory Days was added to the RTE Radio 1 Recommends list in addition to some remarkable wider support also all for which Steo is so grateful.
Steo also travelled to London to perform as part of Glór Nua, at London’s Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith and the invitation to contribute in Ireland 100: An Old Song Re Sung, the RTÉ, in association with South Wind Blows and supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media as part of the Decade of Centenaries Programme 2012-2023, live concert to mark the first 100 years of the Irish State has easily been a highlight of 2023; “It is a great honour for me to be part of Old Song Re-sung, marking the end of a decade of centenaries. To sing a song that means so much to me and to my family, is the honour of a lifetime. For my family to feature in this way, in a celebration of Irish culture among some of the most important artists and poets of the century is very special indeed. The ancestors are smiling.” – Steo Wall
After first breaking onto the Irish music scene in 2018, Steo’s star is on a distinct upward trajectory. Steo can refer to Christy Moore as being one of his biggest supporters’ while also been a most welcome and sincere confidant and a fan. Steo has also captivated audiences throughout Ireland and the UK; his live sets have been described by Damien Dempsey as pure alchemy.
Steo has an eclectic taste which shines through in the multi-genre array of songs on his roster. Having shared a stage with Damien Dempsey on national tours in 2016, 2017 and again opening for Damo’s stage in Vicar Street in 2018 it was obvious Damo had become a fan of Steo and his music. He subsequently featured on Steo’s debut single release called, What’s Wrong With The World Ma?
Steo’s distinct music style and inspiration for writing is only surpassed by his performances; Steo’s mix of spoken word and folk-inspired melodies weave together in an acoustic groove as pure and passion fuelled as you will find, down the road. His musical influences include fellow luminaries such as The Fureys, Bob Marley, Shane McGowan, Sinead O’Connor, Christy Moore and Tupac; artists not afraid to tell the tales needing to be told.
