EP REVIEW
Artist: Ste Hedley
EP: Gig @ Your Door
Website: stehedley.co.uk
Gig @ Your Door is Ste Hedley‘s first EP which follows his debut album Graces, recorded while at LIPA. It was there he played for a number of Gospel choirs whilst majoring in bass guitar, which he has played to good effect with Lindsey Cleary. “I went to LIPA to become a bass player and ended up a singer songwriter, I reckon I was always wanting to be at the front of the stage: people who know me will understand.”
Listening to the 5 tracks on this EP I was struck at how professional and polished they all are, but but not before being caught by Ste Hedley’s voice and lyrics which made me want to stop and take notice. The first track Polar Bears is lively, smiley and thought-provoking – so much more than an just eco song (which is a small part of this track) with clever lyrics and a chorus that just asks to be played again.
The second track Take Time is a well-crafted love song, one of two on the EP. The other one, First Time, features the beautiful voice of Sandi Thom, who compliments rather than overshadows Ste’s vocals. Twenty Eight and Monsters, another two cracking tracks, complete the collection. Whether it’s Ste’s voice, his lyrics or the melodies that make you stop and listen, or all of those reasons and more, you wont be disappointed.
Ste listens to the likes of John Mayer, Adele, Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye and much more, and says anything can spark an idea for a song, whether conceptual or lyrical, or sometimes its discovering a boss chord.
Ste Hedley turned the normal way of things on its head for this EP. He planned on singing 399 gigs in 21 days, playing everywhere from local music venues to people’s front doors, with every gig being a chance for someone new to hear the songs. He has had some funny reactions, like dogs trying to eat him, with the strangest situation turning out to be an impromptu gig in a laundrette.
© 2012 Allan Cairns
Liverpool Acoustic – liverpoolacoustic.co.uk