Steevan "Mars" Mauriello is not from this planet - well maybe that's stretching it a bit. He's from New Jersey, which to some could be a planet all it's own. You see, to be an artist in the shadows across the river from the greatest ciy in the world, you can't help but feel like an alien. But there's great music coming from these shadows and Steevan has established himself as one of the most prolific and talented songwriters in Northern New Jersey. He's performed everywhere from CBGB's to the Knitting Factory to the Bitter End - and many coffehouses and small bars in between. He's opened for artists like Jeffrey Gaines, Mike Peters (of The Alarm), and The Hazies for WDHA/NJ radio. He's even been known to play libraries, bookstores, churches, and parking lots. Steevan is a self taught musician who has an uncanny ability to reveal everyday life stories in a 3 and half minute song that is as catchy as anything on the airwaves. A self-proclaimed fool, he reserves his serious side for his songs. He draws inspiration by the people he loves and other artists and is always willing to "put himself out there." After years of trudging through the din of clubs with his band, joyseed, Steevan has gone solo, recording 2 EPs, releasing singles and performing when the mood is right. His latest collection of songs (That Was Then This Is Now Again) marks his colloboration with Producer, Tim Quick (guitarist on Broadway's Rock of Ages, SpiderMan, Mary Poppins). Tim's production suited the intimate material presented by the singer songwriter side of Steevan, bringing out the vocals and dimming down the instrumentation so the emotional content shines through. To appreciate the songs as they are, you have to catch a live performance. He is a dynamic presence onstage. Catch him solo, acoustic duo w, Joanna Quick and with the new Steevan Mars Band (Matt Hessinger, Bass, Diana Hessinger, Cello. Joanna Quick, Vocals). "The live stuff is where it's at ", he'd say. "Records are one thing -they stay intact forerver - but a good live performance needs to be experienced in the moment" - Look for Steevan and The Steevan Mars Band on tour at a venue near you. And coming 2012, his acoustic alterna-folk project, Leaves of October, will release its debut CD. With Leaves of October, the music will delve even deeper emotionally with a stripped down to basics formula, aka Neil Young, Ryan Adams, Head and the Heart, Civil Wars. Happy New Year!
STEEVAN MARS: Bio/Video
NJ.COM Article by Carly Rothman, Star Ledger
Performing "Long Time" Live at the Morristown Community Theater, 2009
Live at the Bitter End, April 4, 2011 (Coming Soon)