The most reassuring thing about Seasick Steve is that, regardless of his level of ‘fame’, you can only imagine him doing exactly the same sort of thing as he is now: travelling around in his customised campervan, occasionally playing brilliant blues shows whenever the mood suits.
(I guess perhaps a little more forward planning goes into a Sunday main stage appearance, if only so that the 60-something Californian can adjust to what we Scots regard as “summer weather”.)
The straggly beard and slightly dishevelled hobo stylings might lead some to assume that the weathered singer has emerged from a lifetime on the wrong side of the tracks, but in truth he’s had time to raise five children and have a rich and varied life in the music industry.
Back in the 60s he was hanging around with the likes of Janis Joplin and Joni Mitchell, working thereafter as a session musician and studio engineer and even reportedly being friends with Kurt Cobain, also producing for highly rated American indie outfit Modest Mouse.
But over the last few years he’s become known for his own music, famously winning the 2007 MOJO Award for Best Breakthrough Act despite being a septuagenarian, maybe even providing the inspiration needed for Susan Boyle to also become a newfound talent at a later age? Well, maybe not.
Steve released major label debut I Started Out With Nothin and I Still Got Most of it Left last year, which also features longtime cohort Dan Magnusson on drums, and while it’s not reinventing the wheel you suspect that’s not really the point. At least if the weather sucks Seasick Steve will provide the sort of blues that actually makes you want to raise a smile.
