Steven R. Smith
Steven R. Smith is an American musician, instrument-builder, and printmaker often associated with the Jewelled Antler collective. Born in Fullerton, California and based in San Francisco and, more recently, Los Angeles, he has been musically active since the mid-1990s. His main instrument is guitar, both acoustic and electric, although other instruments, including the hurdy-gurdy, bouzouki, fretted spike fiddles, and assorted ethnic instruments, have been incorporated into his work.
Smith’s music tends to range from dense, orchestrated pieces to sparse solo excursions on electric guitar and is improvised as often as composed. His music has drawn elements from psychedelic rock, traditional folk music, soundtracks, free jazz, and modern composers, and tends to be contemplative and somewhat mournful. Some of his records feature elaborate packaging, woodcut and linocut prints, and handmade chapbooks. Throughout his career Smith has recorded for a number of independent labels such as Important Records, Soft Abuse, Catsup Plate, Root Strata, Immune Recordings, Last Visible Dog, Jewelled Antler, Darla Records, and Emperor Jones.
In addition to his ongoing solo work, Smith has been a member of the instrumental psych-rock group Mirza; the improvisational group Thuja; Hala Strana, a project which focuses on the traditional music of Eastern Europe; and most recently Ulaan Passerine, Ulaan Markhor, and Ulaan Khol. Smith occasionally appeared live with Mirza and Thuja, but he remains an elusive solo performer.
Anacapa
- 2025-02-19T00:00:00.000000Z
Triecade
- 2025-01-01T00:00:00.000000Z
Olive
- 2024-04-19T00:00:00.000000Z
Spring
- 2022-05-27T00:00:00.000000Z
In the Spires
- 2021-06-04T00:00:00.000000Z
World Fair
- 2014-10-27T00:00:00.000000Z
Cities
- 2009-05-31T00:00:00.000000Z
The Anchorite
- 2006-05-30T00:00:00.000000Z
Kohl
- 2002-05-30T00:00:00.000000Z
Lineaments
- 2002-05-01T00:00:00.000000Z
Tableland
- 2001-05-01T00:00:00.000000Z
Darla 100
- 2000-03-03T00:00:00.000000Z
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