A Conversation with Steve Arrington – HuffPost 10.1.14
Mike Ragogna: Your new album Way Out is basically an overview of your career from 1980 through 1984. What are your thoughts of your body of work presented here?
Steve Arrington: It’s a good representation of that time. The unreleased and unfinished tracks, add an exciting dimension for me, they sit well with the rest of the songs represented for the period, yet still feel fresh.
MR: Now that you’ve had time to live with the collection as a whole, what do you think it says to the listener as a whole about Steve Arrington of that period?
SA: Steve Arrington was more diverse and innovative than perhaps we thought and made some music that has stood the test of time.
MR: What’s the story on the unreleased material?
SA: I wanted to add a different look to a retrospective project, with eight unreleased/unfinished jams, instead of just one or two, to give more depth to the project, plus, for me, in my late fifties to speak to the unfinished music of my mid-twenties. Conclusion…younger Steve Arrington and older Steve Arrington connected well…smile. Also, I’m proud of my drumming on “Tribute to John Coltrain,” don’t think too many people knew I could swing.
MR: What’s the short history lesson on Slave and Steve Arrington for anyone wanting a quick catch-up?
SA: We’re both from Dayton, Ohio. In school, prior to Slave, many of us were in local bands together. We were always interested in doing some thumpin’, funky music, heavily influenced by Sly Stone, Ohio Players, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Wonder and Earth, Wind & Fire.
MR: How would you describe your music and in your opinion, how has it evolved over the years?
SA: My style has always been to follow my heart, as a singer, an instrumentalist and as a songwriter. I started, as a drummer playing Latin music with the Escovedo’s, became lead vocalist and songwriter with Slave. In my solo career, I started to move away from the Slave formula, with more jazz tinged offerings, like “Beddie Bye” and more bluesier, grittier offerings, like “Weak At The Knees.” “Dancing in the Key of Life” displayed more of a pop sensibility. “Pure Thang” displayed more of a diversified, gospel outing. My resent collabs and features have put me in interesting musical settings. I’d say, I’m a music adventurist, I enjoy doing different things.
MR: Now that funk and R&B have been absorbed into virtually all other genres of music, what do you think is the state of funk these days?
SA: I think funk music will continue to find a way of expression, the way blues, rock-a-billy, and other genres have done, when it’s no longer the fresh new music of the time. New generations will discover and older and newer musicians will stand up and be heard. Funk has kind of been absorbed into “funky.” It doesn’t matter to me, I just want to be in the mix, doing what I do, seeing what I see, and hearing what I hear.
MR: Do you feel that Way Out shows a side of Steve Arrington that either might surprise listeners because of what it achieves?
SA: Yes, in it’s diversity and the interaction between late-fifties Steve Arrington and mid-twenties Steve Arrington, and how they came together in a smooth cohesive way, as well as, the intensity of the collection as whole.
MR: What advice do you have for new artists?
SA: Find your place of uniqueness…stick with it. Understand it’s a business…learn it. Choose carefully who you a line yourself with. Don’t get too high, don’t get too low, because the goal is for a marathon career…long distance.
MR: Did you learn anything new about Steve Arrington from working with and completing these recordings?
SA: Yes, I’m still as hungry and as excited about music today, as I ever was. Listening to myself, then and now, I hear that I’m still serious, honest and passionate. Over the years, that hunger can wane and it happens slowly, so you don’t notice it. But going back to those multis and listening, I realize I absolutely still, love it! And, I don’t think that will ever change. I’m a huge fan of music and making music.
MR: What’s next for Steve Arrington?
SA: Well, I’m looking forward to continuing to be on the road, performing live and traveling. Be looking for some new, interesting and fun collabs and a new Steve Arrington album in 2015.