Steve Poltz
Encyclopedia
Steve Poltz is a Canadian
-born American
singer-songwriter
and guitarist
based in San Diego, California
. He is a founding member of the indie-rock band The Rugburns
and is best known for co-writing the #2 Jewel
song "You Were Meant for Me
". He appeared in the video, and has worked with Jewel on many occasions, such as tours, her platinum and diamond albums, and singles.
As a solo artist, he often performs acoustic-only "good old-fashioned sing-along" shows. His songs have been noted for their simple melodies and satirical lyrics.
, Nova Scotia
, Canada
and later immigrated with his family to Pasadena, California, then to Palm Springs, California
. While attending the University of San Diego
, where he received a degree in political science
, he met guitarist
Robert Driscoll and formed The Rugburns.
Poltz and his bandmates developed a local and national cult following by playing coffeehouses and bars. While performing dates at the Innerchange Coffeehouse in San Diego, he formed a professional and personal relationship with Jewel, frequently opening for her on tours, co-writing songs, and appearing in her music video
for "You Were Meant For Me." Poltz has also done live renditions of some Jerry Hannan
songs at live gigs.
In 1998, Poltz released his first solo album, One Left Shoe for Mercury Records
. A disagreement in the artistic direction of his material led to him leaving the label and forming his own company, 98 Pounder Records. Five years later, he recorded Chinese Vacation, an album heavily influenced by the events of September 11th
and the murder of one of his closest friends. During a radio interview and performance on the Dave, Shelly, and Chainsaw
radio program, he performed a "male" version of "You Were Meant For Me". During the bridge, he went on a 5-minute rant on David Cassidy
and assorted stories in Las Vegas, including one that led to the album name "One Left Shoe". Poltz also performed the song on the Bob and Tom Show and included the David Cassidy/Las Vegas story during the bridge.
In 2000, Poltz was awarded the title of “San Diego’s Most Influential Artist of the Decade” at the 2000 San Diego Music Awards
.
Poltz has collaborated as a songwriter with A. J. Croce
on Croce's 2004 album Adrian James Croce
.
According to his website biography, Poltz considers "Everything About You" to be the favorite among his own songs. It appears on the soundtrack album
to the movie Notting Hill.
Poltz is known to name his various guitars. They include Smokey Joe, which he saved from being destroyed, Clickity-Clack, Flowerpot, and Trailer-Trash. Unfortunately, Clickity-Clack went missing after someone stole his Ford pickup.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
-born American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
and guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
based in San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
. He is a founding member of the indie-rock band The Rugburns
The Rugburns
The Rugburns was an American musical group originally formed by Steve Poltz, "Dr." Robert Driscoll, and Gerald "Child" McMullin.-History:Starting as classmates at the University of San Diego, the group formed in the mid-1980s and began playing in the San Diego, CA area...
and is best known for co-writing the #2 Jewel
Jewel (singer)
Jewel Kilcher , professionally known as Jewel, is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer, actress and poet...
song "You Were Meant for Me
You Were Meant for Me (Jewel song)
"You Were Meant for Me" is a folk pop song written by Jewel and Steve Poltz and performed by Jewel on her first album, Pieces of You. It relates the singer's incomprehension of a failed relationship, and her inadequate attempts at moving on with her life. It was the second single from that album...
". He appeared in the video, and has worked with Jewel on many occasions, such as tours, her platinum and diamond albums, and singles.
As a solo artist, he often performs acoustic-only "good old-fashioned sing-along" shows. His songs have been noted for their simple melodies and satirical lyrics.
Biography
Poltz was born in HalifaxCity of Halifax
Halifax is a city in Canada, which was the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and shire town of Halifax County. It was the largest city in Atlantic Canada until it was amalgamated into Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996...
, Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and later immigrated with his family to Pasadena, California, then to Palm Springs, California
Palm Springs, California
Palm Springs is a desert city in Riverside County, California, within the Coachella Valley. It is located approximately 37 miles east of San Bernardino, 111 miles east of Los Angeles and 136 miles northeast of San Diego...
. While attending the University of San Diego
University of San Diego
The University of San Diego is a Roman Catholic university in San Diego, California. USD offers more than sixty bachelor's, master’s, and doctoral programs...
, where he received a degree in political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
, he met guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
Robert Driscoll and formed The Rugburns.
Poltz and his bandmates developed a local and national cult following by playing coffeehouses and bars. While performing dates at the Innerchange Coffeehouse in San Diego, he formed a professional and personal relationship with Jewel, frequently opening for her on tours, co-writing songs, and appearing in her music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for "You Were Meant For Me." Poltz has also done live renditions of some Jerry Hannan
Jerry Hannan
Gerald Joseph "Jerry" Hannan is an Irish-American singer-songwriter and actor.-Early career:Raised on jigs and ballads in San Francisco's Irish community, Jerry Hannan grew up listening to the music of his Irish-born parents , as well as Cat Stevens...
songs at live gigs.
In 1998, Poltz released his first solo album, One Left Shoe for Mercury Records
Mercury Records
Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
. A disagreement in the artistic direction of his material led to him leaving the label and forming his own company, 98 Pounder Records. Five years later, he recorded Chinese Vacation, an album heavily influenced by the events of September 11th
September 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
and the murder of one of his closest friends. During a radio interview and performance on the Dave, Shelly, and Chainsaw
Dave, Shelly, and Chainsaw
The Dave, Shelly, and Chainsaw Show is a long-running morning radio show in the San Diego, California area. The show is named for its three main hosts, Dave Rickards; Shelly Dunn; and Cookie "Chainsaw" Randolph, known as the "Dean of American Sportscasters".The format of the show combines humor,...
radio program, he performed a "male" version of "You Were Meant For Me". During the bridge, he went on a 5-minute rant on David Cassidy
David Cassidy
David Bruce Cassidy is an American actor, singer, songwriter and guitarist. He is best known for his role as the character of Keith Partridge in the 1970s musical/sitcom The Partridge Family. He was one of pop culture's most celebrated teen idols, enjoying a successful pop career in the 1970s, and...
and assorted stories in Las Vegas, including one that led to the album name "One Left Shoe". Poltz also performed the song on the Bob and Tom Show and included the David Cassidy/Las Vegas story during the bridge.
In 2000, Poltz was awarded the title of “San Diego’s Most Influential Artist of the Decade” at the 2000 San Diego Music Awards
San Diego Music Awards
The San Diego Music Awards are an awards show held annually in San Diego, California to recognize the best bands and artists in local music. The awards have been held since 1991 and were originally organized by the city's main local music publication, , which eventually became the alternative...
.
Poltz has collaborated as a songwriter with A. J. Croce
A. J. Croce
Adrian James "A.J." Croce is an American singer-songwriter. He is the son of singer-songwriter Jim Croce and Ingrid Croce.-Early life and family:...
on Croce's 2004 album Adrian James Croce
Adrian James Croce (album)
Adrian James Croce is the self-titled fifth album by American singer-songwriter A. J. Croce, released in 2004 .-Track listing:all songs written by A. J...
.
According to his website biography, Poltz considers "Everything About You" to be the favorite among his own songs. It appears on the soundtrack album
Soundtrack album
A soundtrack album is any album that incorporates music directly recorded from the soundtrack of a particular feature film or television program. In some cases, not all the tracks from the movie are included in the album; however there are rare cases of songs in the trailers that do not appear in...
to the movie Notting Hill.
Poltz is known to name his various guitars. They include Smokey Joe, which he saved from being destroyed, Clickity-Clack, Flowerpot, and Trailer-Trash. Unfortunately, Clickity-Clack went missing after someone stole his Ford pickup.
Albums
- One Left Shoe (MercuryMercury RecordsMercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
, 1998) - Conversations Over a Cerveza (MercuryMercury RecordsMercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
, 1998) - Answering Machine (Scam-o-Rama Records)
- Live at Largo (98 Pounder, 2000)
- Chinese Vacation (98 Pounder, 2003)
- The Barn with Songs by Steve Poltz (98 Pounder, 2007)
- Traveling/Unraveling (98 Pounder, 2008)
- "Dreamhouse" (98 Pounder, 2010)
External links
- Official website
- Steve Poltz collection at the Internet ArchiveInternet ArchiveThe Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...
's live music archive - [ Allmusic entry]