Events

[INDIE] In a universe of songwriters bemoaning their self-absorbed woes, Steve Marion has emerged with a hearty blast of instrumental sunshine. Over the course of two well-received studio full lengths, multiple collaborations, and a recent live album, Marion—a.k.a. Delicate Steve, which is also the name of the touring four-piece he leads—has branded a mostly lyric-less approach to feel-good tunes that often burst open to reveal warm, blinding light. Maybe it’s the perfect ear bud soundtrack for baked vacation sunbathing behind closed eyes. But this is more than just bonehead fodder, and listening along, you get the distinct impression that Marion is using his music to reach for a spiritual plateau. It comes across in his guitar work, which often serves up little world-music-inspired tangents, conjuring images of far off lands and thoughts of eastern philosophies. Marion also uses his ax to do the bulk of the singing, establishing something very similar to the verse/chorus pattern that’s most familiar to us. It makes his otherwise proggy approach to songwriting more accessible to larger audiences (the songs also tend not to drone on indefinitely, instead averaging three minutes and change) while maintaining an admirable level of indie cred. Signed to David Byrne’s Luaka Bop label, Delicate Steve’s 2011 debut, Wondervisions, received positive press from the New York Times and NPR (among many others) while also attracting attention from tastemakers like Chuck Klosterman. If anything’s unclear, it’s about the “delicate” moniker… Marion’s sinewy yoga bod isn’t particularly delicate, nor are the tunes he serves up. Maybe it’s about achieving balance—or sarcasm. While we wait to find out—and for new music to follow up 2012’s Positive Force—Marion and his touring cohorts will play at Nietzsche’s this Saturday, March 12 with Aircraft, the Tins and Mom Said No.