Steve Gunn
Jeff Marquis, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Steve Gunn is a master songwriter, virtuoso guitar player, and an occasional Kurt Vile collaborator whose music is grounded in a thoughtful, folk-influenced, guitar-centric sound with a free flowing, bluesy streak with a latent '70s psychedelic folk tendencies. His current work has gradually shifted towards more inward looking, contemplative pieces, with fewer songs that sound like he is ready to start jamming. He sings with a calm, subdued, though weathered and shaded voice. His melodies are rich and layered. They may not be catchy, but they come with plenty of subtle hooks. His guitar work is excellent, which he continues to keep low-key, focusing more on his emotional resonant songwriting. He has been a frequent collaborator to many artists over the years, often producing understated but brilliant music.
