The Stepkids

The Stepkids

The Stepkids are a group from Bridgeport, United States, formed in 2009 and active since then. The trio consists of Dan Edinberg, Jeff Gitelman and Tim Walsh, and all three members sing and write for the band. Their work is released on Stones Throw Records.

Style and approach

The band’s sound combines funk, soul, psychedelic music and jazz, with other influences including punk, West African music, 1960s folk, classic soul and 20th-century classical music. They describe their songs as collectively created, with equal input from each member rather than a single lead writer or vocalist. They also produce, engineer and record their own music on reel-to-reel equipment.

Background

Before forming the group, the members spend more than a decade developing their musical experience. They grow up on the East Coast jazz and R&B circuit, and go on to perform with artists including 50 Cent and Lauryn Hill. They also tour internationally with the indie punk band Zox, score films and commercials, and produce solo albums.

Recording and personnel

Jeff Gitelman leaves touring with Alicia Keys as guitarist in order to focus full-time on recording the band’s self-titled debut album. Dan Edinberg is the bassist and keyboardist, while Tim Walsh is the drummer. The group presents itself as a shared creative entity, with no single member dominating the writing or performance process.