#MusicExchange: Steve Louw releases new album Headlight Dreams

The past year has been a rich and hugely rewarding one for Louw. Not only did Louw record his brand-new album, Headlight Dreams, in Nashville along with his long-time friend and producer extraordinaire Kevin Shirley (John Hiatt, Joe Satriani, Led Zeppelin, The Black Crowes), but Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter and genius guitarist Joe Bonamassa also pitched up and added his magic to the record.

To boot, Sony ATV, upon hearing the finished album, offered Louw his first international solo artist record deal.

The album, which is out now, already has two singles on high rotation, “Crazy River” and “Wind in your Hair”; the latter is the one that’s quite literally blowing up all around the world. In its first week of release in the US, the track landed at the highly coveted number two position on the Billboard ACC Folk Chart, ahead of the likes of the equally commendable Rhiannon Giddens and Francesco Turrisi.

“Wind in your Hair” is the track that sports Joe Bonamassa guitar fills and outstanding middle-eight. The single has had over 100,000 plays on Spotify in under three weeks.

With 10 tracks captured in an arresting three-day recording sprint, producer Kevin Shirley channelled each one of Headlight Dreams’ songs through a vintage Neve console inside of a converted church.

“From the first moment, I loved the acoustics of the studio and the vibe created by the wonderful Nashville musicians with their great feel and playing, drawing you into a world shimmering in the half-light, just out of reach,” Louw shares.

A consummate storyteller, a supremely gifted guitarist and a genuinely wonderful human being, Louw’s Headlight Dreams is a beautiful statement.

I caught up with the Cape Town resident last week.

The new decade means:

Radical carbon emission cuts.

Fame is about:

An illusion.

Retirement will happen when:

You have lived beyond three figures

I don't do:

Fake people.

My music is about:

Everyday experiences.

What is the most enjoyable aspect of your work?

Playing live and singing.

The song you must do in every show:

“Waiting for the Dawn”

Any funny moments on stage:

When the power tripped, half the show was acoustic; we just kept playing. Luckily, the power came back and then we had an electric show.

My style icon:

Bob Dylan.

What is your most treasured possession?

My 1964 Epiphone as played by John (Lennon), Paul (McCartney) and George (Harrison).

It’s your round, what are you drinking?

Glenmorangie Single Malt.

What makes you stand out?

The stage lights.

Nicknames:

Stevo.

If you were not a musician, what would you do?

Conservation.

Who would play you in a Hollywood blockbuster and why?

Edward Norton; we both smirk.

Pick five words to describe yourself:

Musical, songwriter, guitar player, dendrophile, singer.

Five favourite SA albums:

GBB - Eet Kreef
Baxtop - Work It Out
Juluka - Scatterlings
Tananas - Tananas
Tribe After Tribe - Power

What is your favourite word?

Truth.

Favourite fashion garment:

My leather flying jacket.

Give us some real proper slang and what it means:

Lank kiff: Awesome, great.

Your greatest achievement:

My family.

What do you complain about most often?

Dishonesty.

What is your fear?

Large puff adders.

Happiness is:

Riding motorcycles.

Where would you like to be right now?

Where I am.

Do you do charity work and, if you do, what do you do?

Yes, conservation.

Twitter : @stevelouwmusic