Interview with Steve Hewitt

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

Well, in my school report at the age of 4 it said: ‘Steve loves to move his body to the rhythm of the music’. So I guess I've always responded in a positive way to melody. Though it was listening to Buddy Holly that made me want to play guitar, but David Gray that inspired me to write my own songs -then I put away the electric and got myself an acoustic.

I always said that if it wasn't for the music I would be a millionaire, so I probably would've run my own business, property development of some sort.

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

I love walking in the countryside with my wife and kids and the dogs. I love being out in the open and the older I'm getting I'm starting to really appreciate the scenery. A lovely landscape can really get my creative juices flowing, it helps me get lost in my own mind to some degree.

Also working in a hostile environment inspires lyrical content as well lol. I’ve learned to allow all types of people and places to affect my songwriting and melody making. It can be painful at times but leaving yourself open just enough to be creative and not to be really hurt is key for me, because if I'm too hurt then I can't write at all.

How long have you been making music?

I first started making music at church at 16-17years old. My pastor loved rock n roll and country, and one day he started playing Peggy Sue Got Married, after the service (obviously) and I was so impressed, I went straight home and started my collection of Buddy Holly and asked my dad for an electric guitar and he got me one pretty quick. The first song I ever learned was Words of Love. So a big shout out and thank you to Graham Jones for playing Peggy Sue got married that day, which started my seeking,searching and finding my love for music.

Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?

I currently live in Edenbridge in Kent (UK), a small place virtually in the middle of nowhere. I've been here for 13 years, met my wife and she had our beautiful children here, and we love it! Places can influence my music to some degree, but it's the circumstances and situations that inspire me the most.

Tell me about your most memorable shows, if you haven’t played live what is your vision for a live show?

My most memorable shows was when I played at the Trinity Theatre in Tunbridge Wells (UK) with my good friends: Joe Martin (my best mate and extremely talented bass player) Rob Townley (I love him dearly and an extremely gifted guitarist) Paul West ( has been my producer, very gifted drummer)

Also played my album launch at the Red Barn in Lingfield, it wasn't that big but there was something in the air that night which made it unforgettable. Also played at Carfest North - my set was early to virtually no one, and by the end of the set I had a crowd of 100 people and they loved it!

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

My favourite venue I've played is the Trinity Theatre and the places I'd love to play would be Royal Festival Hall, Koko London, and because I play a bit of country from time to time would be the Grand Ole Opry. These are off the top of my head.

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

I'd love to play a show with my biggest inspirations: David Gray, Bob Dylan, John Martyn (he sadly passed away), Fink. I'd also love just to be in the corner of the green room in silence, listening to all of them chat amongst themselves, now that would be a dream fulfilled right there. A nice thought indeed.

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into making music and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

I would say: never let your aspirations and goals make you selfish and self-centered and get in the way of your most important relationships in your life, because nothing is worth hurting and neglecting the ones who support you and love you the most.

Always remember, Love isn't a word it's an action, you don't say love, you do love. True Love is sacrificial and long suffering. A fool never learns from their mistakes, so don't be a fool. Make everyday productive. Be around people that inspire you, motivate you and tell you how it is.

If you can count your closest friends on more than one finger, you are blessed.

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

I have 2 songs that mean the most to me,

1) Without You

It's about my Grandparents, but more from my Grandads perspective. We as a family expected him to pass away first because he was the one who was in and out of hospital all the time and always ill, so when my granny Elvie passed away first, we were all in shock. But he eventually stopped taking his medication and just gave up because he couldn't live this life without her anymore, and after 5 months he passed. So this song was about true love between two people, and how they could do all the practical things in life on their own, but couldn’t go on without each other. So as sad as it is, I'm proud to have that love story within my family.

2) Healing & Hurt.

It's dedicated to my wife Helen, and how marriage is more than saying I love you, more than the good times, more than what we can get out of it. Marriage is about having a servant's heart for each other, about what you can do for each other, and letting the challenging times strengthen the bond, and being patient and having alot of consideration.

The song is about these things above and some stuff we faced in the early days of our relationship.

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

I love playing a new track called: In the long run, it's gonna be on my next album in 2023 and it's different from all my other stuff. I play it on a boss space echo pedal throughout and solo with a boss loop pedal. It's so fun to play live.

My most requested songs are: Without You, Healing and Hurt, Move On and love songs.

What is your creative process, and what inspires you to write your music?

I don't really have a process, I've never really set time aside to write and make melodies. Most of the time songs come out of the moment, on my way to work, or on my way home. I tend to write a lot more lyrics these days, than create melodies on my guitar, but when I do pick the guitar up, the melodies usually come fast.

Do you have messages that you like to get across in your music, if so please tell me about them?

My songs have messages of hardship, relationships, hurt, love, elaborating on a single phrase, having hope in hopelessness, I try to be as honest as I can.

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

My plans are releasing my new single out on Friday 7th Oct called:FLY, a heartfelt folk track. After that release, I'll be releasing another darker-themed folk track, not giving anything away until nearer the time. And then in 2023 I'll be working to release my 2nd 9-10 track album.

So lots to get on with and never enough money to do it lol

How can your fans best keep up to date with you, any socials you want people to check out?

If you go to my website: www.stevehewittmusic.com you can sign up to my newsletter and you can also find all the links to my socials at the bottom of my website page. I'm mostly on FB, insta, twitter and YouTube.