A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of doing a mini-photo session with Scott Parmer and Stephanie Rose Mccullough for their group Steel & Bow. We decided we wanted to shoot at a local farm near Lititz and play into a more whimsical and romantic look for this session.
Scott has a rock and blues background and plays the guitar and lead vocals while Stephanie has a classical background and plays the violin. The end result is smooth melding of two musical styles that keeps you coming back for more.
You can check out my interview with Scott and some of the pictures from their shoot below. Thanks!
Terri: Can you tell me how long Steel & Bow have been together?
Scott: Approximately 2 and a half years
Terri: What made you decide to put Steel & Bow together? How did Steph come onto the scene?
Scott: I was looking to add special dynamic to my live shows and studio work. I have always loved the violin sound and the way it just bleeds emotion into so many styles. I posted online for a violin player (asking not so much for a fiddle player) and Steph contacted me.
Terri: Do you perform Scott Parmer originals as Steel & Bow or strictly covers?
Scott: Depends on the event. We do play originals but only if they fit the celebration. Probably about a 60% cover and 40% original mix and adjusted from there.
Terri: Was there a magic moment when you thought that, "Yeah, this partnership is going to work”?
Scott: I think it was feeling her excitement over my originals. She connected with them and was able to hear the “vision” I had for the song even before it was complete. I think my writing style was a great fit for what she was looking for as an alternative outlet to her established and accomplished classical career.
Terri: What are some of the venues you have played at. Is there one that is your favorite?
Scott: I work very hard to bring a top shelf show every time I play live. No matter how small the audience or venue. I am very respectful of the establishment, it’s customers and atmosphere. This attention and hard work has landed me at the top of performer lists for many reputable venues. Although, I have many favorites, I always feel like The Vineyard at Grandview in Mt. Joy and The Fireside Tavern in Strasburg are like coming home. They treat me like family and are always very gracious as well as supportive of my original efforts.
Terri: What do you see next for Steel & Bow?
Scott: I continue to write and record new songs and would like violin to be very integrated into the sound. On the original side, plans are to add more musicians to complete a full band for larger venues,events and music festivals as I continue to grow the fan base. This is known as the Dogstar Band. As for our duo live shows, I would like to see our special events calendar continue to grow, We are perfect for wedding ceremonies, wedding cocktail hours, birthday parties, anniversaries, holiday parties, pig roasts, you name it.
Terri: Regarding the photo shoot, what was the inspiration behind your latest round of photos?
Scott: Song writing is kind of like an unanchored boat floating in the water, it can drift over time and my style is doing just that. I feel my vibe and taste has migrated towards an Americana Folk, sometimes alternative country, sometimes even “gypsy-like” sound. I was going for a simple, earthy but classy, retro, renaissance look to compliment the songs we play and image we have created.
Terri: How important is image for a musician and for Steel & Bow?
Scott: In this day and age when everything is almost always judged on visual perception, it is critical to have the right image and photos to deliver your message. It needs to say who you are and what you do without a potential fan or client having to read a word in your description or diving deeper into a website or ad. Without a unique image, you get lost in a crowded sea of mainstream mediocrity.
To learn more about Steel & Bow, where they are appearing next, and how to book them for your next event, you can click on the button below.