The local favorite’s 9 th CD release will be celebrated at Anthology this weekend
By Bart Mendoza | Downtown News
There can be little doubt that singer-songwriter Steve Poltz is one of the most important musicians to emerge from San Diego’s burgeoning music scene over the past three decades. As today’s the benchmark against which most other local acoustic troubadours are measured up, Poltz has been part of the local music community since the late 1980’s, first coming to major prominence at the beginning of the next decade with his group the Rugburns and then hitting the national spotlight as co-writer of Jewel’s 1996 mega hit, “You Were Meant For Me.”
The ensuing years have seen Poltz embark upon a never-ending series of tours that have taken him around the world numerous times, with eight albums to his credit. A ninth, Noineen Noiny Noin, will be celebrated with a CD release show at Anthology in Little Italy on June 2, 7:30 p.m.
The album was recorded in Perth, Australia over the past several years, using local musicians and taping tracks in between shows on various Australian tour legs. The album’s title reflects this, although the name isn’t quite as exotic as a first glance might indicate. “I asked my Australian promoter recently when my first visit to Australia was and he said, ‘I reckon it was Noineen Noiny Noin,” Poltz laughed. “So, it’s the way that they say 1999 there.” Early purchasers of the album get a bonus disc dubbed, Noineen Noiny Noin and a Haff.
While there are plenty of quality studios here in town, Poltz explains that being on tour so much, it can be difficult to find time to record. “The last record I made was in Halifax, Nova Scotia,” he recalled. “I’m just always on the road and I’ve met so many cool musicians and people who own recording studios while I’m out there. That sort of thing lends itself to working on my albums in other places.
“I’m sort of a very whimsical man of the moment. I don’t over-think stuff and I’m very spontaneous.” He points out that despite recording in foreign lands, his sound hasn’t changed too much. Indeed, he identifies a song from the new album, “Croatia” as being “vintage Rugburn-y.” It’s also notable that the song features the only other non-Australian on the record, another local troubadour and former Rugburn, Gregory Page.
While life on tour can be a trying experience at the best of times, Poltz thrives when living out of a suitcase. “I’m on the road probably 10 ½ months out of the year,” he said. “I was born to do this, I love it. Every show’s different, I’m always writing and there’s always something crazy going on onstage. It feeds me. Like a plant needs water, I need to play live.”
Although he concedes touring at small venues and house concerts is hard work, Poltz considers himself a fortunate man. “I might sell eight CD’s at a show and get some money from the promoter, but to me there is nothing more pure and beautiful,” he said. “Because if I wasn’t good, I’m not going to get paid, so I have to remain good at my craft and keep working at it, keep writing new songs so I have something that keeps me feeling fresh. I go to sleep at night and I have that sort of ‘sleep of the just’ feeling, because I’ve earned the money in my pocket doing something that I love. I’m not just working for somebody in a job that I hate, where I’m just waiting to die. I actually have a job that I put together and enjoy. I think it keeps me really energetic and young.”
For his part, Poltz is still thrilled to make music, driving himself from gig to gig, happy to set up his guitar and microphone just about anywhere someone might care to listen. “I still love it all,” he said. “I love the feeling of walking out onstage each night without a set list, never knowing what I’m going to open with. The mystery of the show and how it’s going to unfold.”
Pausing to reflect for a moment, it’s clear Poltz is a man who, luckily for the world’s music fans, is sure of his calling and happy to travel the world accompanied solely by his trusty guitar. “For that moment I’m onstage the time goes so fast,” he said. “It’s a pure flow of energy.”
Fans can experience that flow of energy on Saturday, June 2 at Anthology, located at 1337 India Street, in Little Italy. 7:30 p.m. 21-and-up. $10 – $35. For more information, visit www.anthologysd.com
