Steven Hall grew up in Scotland in the '60s, singing in church choirs and learning the bagpipes. "I was shy, and wanted to be cool and meet boys and girls, so I taught myself the guitar and learned the songs of The Beatles, Joni Mitchell, and Donovan." Steven emigrated to the US at age 15. After high school, he moved to New York where he hung out with artists, dancers, and musicians. There he met Allen Ginsberg who invited him to attend Naropa Buddhist University in Colorado. At Naropa Steven studied writing with Ginsberg and William Burroughs and music with Don Cherry. Upon returning to NYC "Allen introduced me to Arthur Russell – we became Allen's backup band, then Arthur asked me to sing and play guitar as a duo." Steven and Arthur performed together in downtown clubs like CBGBs, The Mudd Club, and Max's Kansas City as The Sailboats. Steven later sang on some of Arthur's disco hits like "Tell You Today" and "Is It All Over My Face?" After Arthur died, Steven and a bunch of mutual friends formed Arthur's Landing to remember Arthur by playing his music. Meanwhile, Nirosta Steel is the name Steven uses for his own music – queer love songs and remixes he creates for friends.

DOWNLOAD THE PREMIERE OF A NEW TRACK MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST HERE 

The track is “PLEASE DON’T!” by Nirosta Steel, DROP OUT ORCHESTRA MIX featuring Nell Shakespeare!

Learn more about Steven and hear more of his music: 

www.buddhistarmy.org

https://buddhistarmy.bandcamp.com/music

https://www.instagram.com/nirosta_steel/

Foto of Steven Hall in the Spotlight On graphic is by Surachai Saengsuwan.

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