“One of the lynchpins of Chicago’s flourishing songwriter scene is Steve Dawson, a songwriter and vocalist who elevates everything he touches.” - WBEZ Chicago
“An evocative, brilliant songwriter who imbues his songs and recordings with folk, country, and a smattering of soul he should, by all rights, be a household name.” - Popmatters
Steve Dawson will look back over 35 years of songs and music making, including songs from his first Chicago band, Stump The Host, through Dolly Varden, Funeral Bonsai Wedding and up to his more recent critically acclaimed solo albums, “Ghosts,” and “At The Bottom of a Canyon in the Branches of a Tree.” Over the course of 6 albums with Dolly Varden, 4 solo albums, and 2 albums with the jazz / folk combo, Funeral Bonsai Wedding, Dawson has delved into all corners of American music and dug deep into the mysteries and wonders of life, mortality, love and memory. Dawson will be joined by a few guest musicians for this evening’s show.
Originally from San Diego, California, he spent his teen years in Hailey, Idaho, where he learned guitar and started writing songs. After a few years at the Berklee School of Music in Boston, Dawson moved to Chicago and formed the band, Stump the Host, with his future wife, artist and singer, Diane Christiansen. Later he formed, recorded and toured with Dolly Varden and Funeral Bonsai Wedding. More recently he has created critically acclaimed solo albums for the Pravda record label. Dawson also teaches songwriting at the legendary Old Town School of Folk Music and co-wrote a book on songwriting and the creative process with Mark Caro called, “Take It To The Bridge: Unlocking The Great Songs Inside You.” In 2020 Dawson was awarded the Esteemed Artist Award from the City of Chicago.
