This was my first time seeing Stephen Steinbrink perform. He opened his set was an Arthur Russell song, Arm Around You from the album Calling Out of Context. The constant thought of wanting to make the move that everyone takes- putting their arm around someone that they really like. It’s one of those first steps we take when affirming you like someone person and simultaneously finding out if they’re into you too. Stephen’s cover of that songs .

Stephen’s music is dead on with conveying feelings of frustration, awkwardness, and loss. I’m not saying that’s entirely what his music is about but it’s something I tend to pick up. The song A Tiny Seed is a nondescript account of something unfortunate occurring. Something potentially terrible that occurred in a someone’s life at a very young age, I am a tiny seed that’s growing. Then whatever the event no matter what it is, everyone needs someone they can run to that can make them feel better, I needed someone to envelop me.

Stephen’s performance touched with different feelings of the tone. He really hits home in singing songs that remind us of the different introspective moments of our lives- what we do in response to a neighborhood murder-  or thinking about our community, friends, the intimacy that we have or want, and the people we love. It’s something that- through his music- reminds how we’re not the only ones feeling what we are feeling and that it’s whilst we’re listening, we’re sharing the same variety thoughts with everyone else in the same space.

This recording is part of a four part live recording series featuring , Emperor X, Hell-Kite, and Ryland Bouchard.