photo credit : Nate Hill
5th July, 2023
You have previously toured with some high-profile artists and have more coming up that will see you touring overseas again this year. How does it feel to be able to play your songs for audiences around the country, and abroad?
It’s truly some of the best parts of doing what I do, playing over seas is a really surreal experience especially meeting people who are fans of my music from so far away, it’s an incredible feeling knowing that people everywhere enjoy what I make from my home studio and to perform on tours with great people and amazing artists is just… surreal.
The guys in your live band are also amazing musicians. How did you find out about/ meet them?
I have a very extensive network of artists, and I like to see live music as much as I can, so I get to meet great musicians fairly often. I met Rohan on Instagram after trying to find a keyboard player, he responded to a story post I made about trying to find a keyboard player, and after seeing what he can do, I got him involved in some tours I had going on at the time. I met David through recommendation as he was doing lots of work for some great Australian artists at the time. Other musicians I’ve worked with have come along through various ways like mentioned.
Your last album, The Quiet Place Away, was an acoustic departure from your previous work. What inspired this idea?
I love acoustic music and I love making it as much as the electric stuff, I thought it would be a fun idea to give my all into making an entirely acoustic album, which just helped me as a creative person to keep things fresh and fun and I enjoyed the challenge of bring it all together. Very happy with the results too.
photo : Rohan Sharma
Why heavy music? What is it about this style and sound that attracts you to it?
It’s just so exciting and interesting and there’s no real limit to the creativity in that style. The musicianship is generally a little more in depth than other styles too which keeps it fun for me. I like all music, but there’s nothing quite like heavy music for the soul.
How did you first discover and get into heavy music?
It was a gradual process of listening to more punk/rock music and then slowly discovering heavier bands and I enjoyed the darker sounds so I would surround myself with as much of it as I could. I find it fun hearing something absurdly heavy.
Who were/ are your music heroes? Who inspired you to want to play heavy music?
Lots of bands and artists inspired and still inspire me today, too many to mention really. There’s not one artist in particular but rather the movement of guitar oriented music is what draws me in and keeps me interested.
Was there a defining moment that made you decide to play an instrument?
From purely loving music as a listener and wanting to give it a try, Watching live music on TV as a kid and seeing music around the place at local events and festivals and things. Later at school it was a very popular thing which also helped me be surrounded by it.
photo : Rohan Sharma
How did you learn to play your chosen instrument? Formal lessons, self-taught, online?
My Dad showed me my first few chords, I later got a guitar teacher at my high school, then I studied music after high school. This helped me immensely, but it was my own exploration and participation in various original bands that really pushed me to improve and want to learn as much as possible. I did lots outside of attend lessons and study.
Were your parents supportive of your choice to play an instrument?
YES, 100%. My parents are music fans and play music and share lots of music around the house.
Do you regularly practice with the band to stay tight, or only when there are upcoming shows?
Only when we have shows, its not feasible to get together regularly unfortunately.
How often do you practice guitar? Is it playing along to songs, working on specific techniques, song writing, etc…?
I only really play guitar if I am writing new music, or preparing for shows/tours. I used to practice a lot to develop skills and knowledge and get comfortable with concepts to use in my own music but there comes a point in time where it was time to create and make music rather than purely just try and improve. Id rather be a worse musician with a collection of songs than the best musician with no songs to my name.
photo : Rohan Sharma
How are your songs conceived?
Exploration of sound, and endless trial and error to sculpt something that moves me.
What artists, old or new, are you listening to currently?
Aries, The Midnight, Sunk Loto
What have been some of your most memorable shows to date?
Recently headlining my own tour has been a huge career highlight to me, In particular, a show at Max Watts in Melbourne, which is a venue I have seen countless bands, so to be headlining that venue was an incredible achievement in my career.
What do you do for work when you aren’t touring with I Built The Sky?
I Built The Sky is my work, I am fortunate enough to do it full time and am self managed so I am constantly planning, creating, preparing for what’s coming up.
photo : Rohan Sharma
Is it an issue juggling work and touring?
It is tricky to juggle life and touring yes, fortunately it is my job so its all relevant to my life.
Best and worst touring experiences?
Best, playing in Madrid in 2020 was heaps of fun, and I felt that I played very well so I was happy after the show. Worst… maybe recently playing in Hobart, Australia, where we had lots of technical problems.
Who’s your bucket list artist to tour with?
Foo Fighters
Any pre-show rituals?
Deep breaths, and practice the difficult parts in my set.
What’s the last show you saw that you weren’t playing at?
Maybe Spiritbox in Melbourne
What do you do in your free? Any other hobbies outside of music?
Sometimes play golf, or watch Youtube channels that I follow, walking my dogs, going on adventures. Swimming when its warm. Eating good food and spending time with good people.
What new artists should people check out that deserve some recognition?
Aries, Sunk Loto, The Midnight, Moneen, Origami Angel, and Antiskeptic
Specifically, what gear do you play? Guitars, amps, pedals, strings/gauges, picks? Any endorsements?
I am endorsed by Charvel Guitars, Horizon Devices, Bare Knuckle Pickups, Neural DSP, and Maton Guitars. I use 11-52 gauge strings in drop C, 0.73 max grip Jim Dunlop picks, Quad Cortex Floorboard, and Horizon Devices Precision Drive OD pedal.
photo : Rohan Sharma
What’s your dream gear?
PRS Private stock, Fender Custom Shop Strat, 54 Strat, 59 Les Paul… Might need a few more streams for those ones though…
Cats – lovable family members or Satan’s spawn?
Satan’s Spawn, nah all animals are precious and I want to hug them all…. maybe not sharks though.
What does 2023 have in store for I Built The Sky, and Rohan Stevenson?
HEAPS, more tours, more music making and releases, AND a cool twist which I look forward to sharing publicly soon.
I Built The Sky : @ibuiltthesky