Steve Gifford is a songwriter and acoustic performer who plays guitar and has been active in the London music scene since the 1980s. He works in a style noted for direct vocals, clear songwriting and a strong lyrical focus, with references to his music describing it as concise, honest and insightful.

Early career

Gifford spends more than seven years working full-time in the London live scene during the 1980s, with support from three music agencies. After marrying and turning his attention to family life, he appears to leave performing and writing behind, but returns to songwriting in 2001 with ten new songs written in quick succession, helped by a newly acquired Martin acoustic guitar.

Albums and recordings

His debut album, Cut and Run, appears in September 2002 and marks the start of his recording career. It leads to a joint album promotion with Mike Silver at Union Chapel in Islington in October 2003, and helps establish further live work at The Stables in Wavendon, Milton Keynes.

He follows this with Building Bridges, released on the Smokey Rooms label in March 2005. The album features thirteen songs built around his lowden guitar, harmonica, cello and the harmonies of songwriter Nici Wilcox. It is supported by a tour including a launch performance at The Stables and two shows at The Borderline in London.

His third album, Boy On A Beach, appears in September 2007 and is described as his most critically acclaimed release to that point. Proper Music Distribution acts as exclusive UK distributor for the album. He launches it at The Stables Theatre in Milton Keynes after previewing some of the songs there as a special guest of Shawn Colvin.

Gifford’s fourth studio album, Ungodly Hour, is recorded between January and October 2009. The album features contributions from bassist Ian Catchpole, drummer Simon Ambrose and keyboard player George Horler. Its songs draw on influences including The Beatles, The Kinks, James Taylor and the Eagles, while still aiming for a contemporary sound across several genres.

Live work and collaborations

After Cut and Run, The Stables books him repeatedly over the following eighteen months, and he performs there with Ten Years After, Aynsley Lister and Carl Palmer. Touring Americana artists Joe D’Urso and Stewboss also invite him to join them on their 2004 tours.

In 2008 he is invited to play 12-string guitar on David Munyon’s album Songs for Mary. Around the same period he tours with Ian Catchpole on bass and Simon Ambrose on drums, with George Horler also contributing to later studio work.

Later activity

By the end of the 2000s, Gifford continues to tour and gig with his band line-up while building a catalogue centred on acoustic songwriting, melody and personal lyric writing.