Simon Steadman said he doesn't mind his band opening for other artists. "We don't have to worry about ticket sales. We don't have to worry about long sets. We play for 40 minutes and then have the rest of the night off.
"I mean I can play my Xbox, go have a bowl of soup, play the show and then go back to playing my Xbox."
But opening for Jason Mraz has more rewards than just filling the stomach and playing video games. "We've been able to introduce more people to our music than we could if we toured by ourselves," Steadman said during a telephone interview from Milwaukee, Wis. "It's been a great tour so far and we've really felt we have connected with the audience during our short set."
Steadman, who cites the Beatles, Stevie Wonder and Sly & the Family Stone as some of his major musical influences, formed his group in Hastings, England, in 1998. The band was originally called the Dharmas and toured throughout England, eventually catching the ear of one Sir Paul McCartney, who has actually written a letter of recommendation for the band.
In addition to Steadman the singer/guitarist, Steadman the band includes bassist David Walton, drummer Russell Field, keyboardist Chris Murphy and guitarist James Board. The group has just released its first full-length album, "Revive," for Elektra Records — a follow-up to the independently released extended-play "Loser Friendly."
"On the new album we had a little more funding because we signed to a major label," Steadman said. "That means we could eat and record an album. The way we approached the new album was more professional. We worked with producers this time around and got our sound the way we've always heard it in our heads."
Producers Alain Johannes and Natasha Shneider also helped the band realize that musical dynamics were another good tool in recording an album. "They taught us that silence, when used effectively, was just as powerful as a good chord. And, now, when I listen to some of my favorite albums, like the Beatles' 'White Album,' for example, I can hear a lot of different things. And that album is filled with music and silence.
"It is very important to know when to play and when not to play."
Music has always been important to Steadman's life, even before he was making his own music. "I like hearing music with substance. I like soul and gospel. There's something that moves me when I hear that kind of music.
"When I decided to start playing my own stuff, I knew I wanted it to be uplifting and help people feel good. With the way things are going now, I do believe I have attained that goal."
If you go
What: Jason Mraz, Steadman
Where: Kingsbury Hall, University of Utah
When: Monday, 7:30 p.m.
How much: $22
Phone: 355-2787 or
1-800-451-2787
Web: www.arttix.org
E-MAIL: scott@desnews.com