Happy Hour Harmonica Podcast Mike Stevens interview
Mike Stevens joins me on episode 89.
Mike is a Canadian who made his name playing Bluegrass harmonica, performing with some of the biggest names in Bluegrass and playing at The Grand Old Opry over 300 times. Mike toured with Bluegrass legends, Jim & Jesse McReynolds, and recently played two songs on harmonica at Jesse’s funeral. Mike won the Canadian Bluegrass artist of the year for five consecutive years, and released a Bluegrass book with Hal Leonard.
But Bluegrass isn’t his only genre, also playing Americana, Blues, solo looping, soundscapes and even ballet and West African music.
Mike also tells us about synesthesia, a condition which means he sees music in colours and shapes, and how this has impacted his music.
On top of all this, Mike has been a leading figure in bringing music to indigenous communities in Canada, distributing some fifty thousands harmonicas to young people.
Links:
Mike’s website:
www.mikestevensmusic.com
Artscan Circle:
www.artscancircle.ca
A Walk In My Dream documentary:
https://mikestevensmusic.com/walk-in-my-dream
Videos:
Playing at the Grand Old Opry with Jim & Jesse:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YIpFQccOUo
Playing at Jesse McReynold’s funeral:
https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTY4NzgyMTYwMjI1ODU0MyZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==
Playing with Matt Andersen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6iCgQoaViM
TED talk on Artscan Circle: bringing music to indigenous communities:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-4uQoNq4M4
Blue Sky music festival presentation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7s-x9tMn6Q
Podcast website:
https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com
Donations:
If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):
https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GB
or sign-up to a monthly subscription to the podcast:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/995536/support
Spotify Playlist:
Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQ
Podcast sponsors:
This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICAS