The Official Website of Steve Overland

Interview: Graham Hatton

Steve Overland is one artists name that will continually crop up during any debate of much underrated vocalists from the rock genre. Although megastardom has always seemed to eluded him he has consistantly been a man of musical integrity, and now with a stunning new solo album under his belt and imminent releases from Shadowman and the much anticipated FM album, Steve Overland's workload has never been more frantic. Steve is a really down to earth kind of guy, a true professional and a good friend, so as an appreciative listener of his music for many years it was a pleasure to ask him many of the questions that I, as I fan, would want answering myself.

It became obvious to me upon the first listening of 'Diamond Dealer' that there has been a shift back to a familiar territory with this album compared with your first solo album. I personally liked the new direction of 'Break Away' and its bold approach but can you tell us what was behind the decision to revert to a more traditional sound?

I never really plan a direction for an album,i just write the songs the way i feel at the time.Tor is a massive F.M fan so obviously the tracks he sent me through,tended to lean more in that direction,so we kind of set out to make an album full of strong catchy rock songs.Im really pleased with the way the album came out.

Can you give us a little background history and how in fact you came to work with fellow collaborators on your latest solo album, especially the obviously talented Tor Talle.

Yes, there are some great players on the album. At first when Khalil put me together to write with Tor it wasn't planned as an Overland album, but as time went on it just sounded great as we demoed the songs so the record company and myself decided it would make a great second album. The other musicians are players that Martin, the producer, works with. They're top session players in Sweden and they did a fantastic job.

I'm a stickler for studying lyrical content and trying to decifer their meanings. Now I may be reading to much into the meaning of these new songs but upon hearing some of the tracks, especially 'Train Train' and 'I'm Still Breathing', I got a feeling that your writing was driven by your endurance and bounce-back-ability (for want of a better word) in the music scene of today and was maybe a statement that almost says 'I will not just fade away'. Is that a fair assessment of the creativity for of lyrics on this new album?

I've always drawn on my own personal feelings when writing lyrics, and I guess in my own way I'm a bit of a survivor. I suppose this must come through in some of the lyrics, and as I've said before as long as people want to hear what I do I'll keep bouncing back.

If I'm correct, apart from promoting the 'SO' album, you've never toured with any of your post FM projects and presumably will not be taking these songs out on the road either. Can you tell us why that is?

Touring with Overland or Shadowman is not beyond the realms of possibility, it's just that all the other members of these bands are also busy. Khalil keeps pushing the point that we need to tour so it could happen - watch this space.

As I understand it there will be another 'Shadowman' album and I heard a whisper that there would also be another album by The Ladder. Is there a possibility of a third Overland album in the future or are you at this point in time leaving your options open?

The fourth Shadowman album is already written and we are just scheduling the recording as we speak.The songs are the strongest yet in my opinion and I can't wait to start. I don't know about another Ladder album but there will be more solo albums in the future, I'm sure.There are also some other new projects in the pipeline.

I hear that you are currently conspiring with Chris Ousey from fellow British melodic rockers Heartland under the working project name of Ozone. Can you share some details with us of when we are likely to see this come to fruition and which direction you'll be taking musically?

It's very early days on this one. Chris is a great singer and it would be great to do an album together. We are at the moment getting some songs together and we'll see where it leads.

Now as an artist for 30 years or more, it's been obvious to many that you have encountered more than your fair share of problems in the industry throughout your career. How have these setbacks shaped you as a person and musician and with the benefit hindsight, is there anything in the way you dealt with these problems that you would like to alter?

Anybody that's been in this buisness for as long as I have will encounter many lows and highs. From this you learn how to pick yourself back up and keep going, the main thing being not to be bitter. Anyone who's sucessfull deserves everything they achieve, and I just feel lucky to have survived for this long. Always look forward, not back.

How did you enjoy last years Firefest in comparison to 2007 and how did you go about preparation for the show?

I loved both of the Firefests, they just make all the hard work you put in seem worthwhile. It was great for Jim, the new boy, to get a feel for how dedicated and loyal the FM fans are. Fantastic night, thank you again everyone.

Many of those who were present at last years Firefest witnessed the exploits of 'Jim Kirkpatrick' for the very first time and there was much debate after the show that he was a wonderfully unknown guitar phenomenon. How did your paths come to cross?

Jim and I both lived in the same village for years but never managed to hook up. Everybody used to tell me about this young guitar genious and one weekend my brother Chris came over to stay and we ventured to the local pub, and there he was being brilliant. Jim new who I was and eventually one Christmas Eve we we bumped into each other, and we've been mates ever since. When we were trying out guitarists for FM I knew Jim would be perfect.

If rumours are to be believed there has been a slight delay in the release of the forth coming Metropolis album. Can you shed some light on this situation?

Yes, we were advised that the original release date was to soon after Christmas and a bad idea. Also, we've now had a couple of the tracks remixed. It'll be worth the wait.

In the mean time before the album is released is there a possibility of another single/EP being released? I hear a video has already been shot for such a venture.

There are other video's for tracks, but nothing else is scheduled until after the release of the album.

You're obviously a very busy man these days but apart from the subjects we've already touched upon what are your plans for 2010, regarding tours etc?

There are various things in the pipeline for 2010, but I think I've probably got enough on my plate at the moment.

Here's a strange one for you that I'm pretty sure you've never been asked before, but a good friend and fellow FM fan asked me to relay this question to you. Would you ever consider writing an auto-biography about your career, and if so what would you name it and would it contain many startling revelations about the life of Steve Overland?

It depends on your defenition of a startling revelation. It would be a long book but not really somthing that's crossed my mind.

As we touched on in a previous question, I don't dwell on the low points.There have been many high points - working with Simon Kirke and Mick from Bad Company, the touring with Bon Jovi, headlining the Hammersmith Odeon - and too many more to mention. It's not been a bad life.

And finally, is there anything you would like to add to all the fans that have been there throughout the years and also do you have a message for the people who are only just discovering you and your music?

To all the people who have stuck with me down the years, I can never thankyou enough.You are why me and the bands I work with keep doing this. As for anyone just coming into the fold, it's fantastic to know new people are getting into your music for the first time. Let it grow and grow. Thanks everyone, and see you soon.