Steven Hackman graduated from what is widely considered the world's top conservatory for classical music, the Curtis Institute of Music, and decided to become a pop star. Seriously. His lifelong passion has been writing songs, and he has self-produced five albums of original music. He plays a weekly show at D'Angelos in Philly, where he has also played The Grape Street Pub and World Live Cafe. He performs often in his native Chicago, where he has played the Beat Kitchen, Speakeasy Supper Club, and the Gentry. He has developed a unique acoustic/pop/soul style, which highlights his warm vocal style, keen sense of harmony, and charming, heartfelt lyrics. With a good story, great songs, and the skills to back it all up, he may become a pop star yet. www.stevenhackman.com
Biography
Ask any record label executive what it takes to get signed these days and they’ll probably tell you three things: a great story, undeniable talent, and dynamite songs.
Steven Hackman certainly has the first two. As for the songs, you can be the judge.
Story: Steven Hackman graduated from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, considered by many to be the world’s finest classical music conservatory, in 2004. With an orchestral conducting degree in hand, he immediately began getting attention in the conducting world. However, after getting a taste of what life as a Maestro would be like, he decided to refuse the offers he was getting, and instead pursue his true lifelong passion: songwriting. He finally made this decision when, at a party, a friend of his put on one of his self-produced albums. Steven was about to switch the music back to the Talking Heads when he noticed a girl that he had never seen before singing along to one his songs- word for word. She apparently had received a copy of his disc from a friend. He realized that maybe it wouldn’t always be just his friends and family that listened to his music- maybe more people would want to listen. Since then he has never looked back, and with every new song is reminded that he made the right decision.
Talent: Well he might be the only singer/songwriter in the world to have conducted a major symphony orchestra; composed and arranged pieces for orchestra, band, and chorus; been the music director of choruses and acapella groups; been the lead in a musical; and performed as a concert pianist. All that translates into a whole lot of talent, but more importantly, into the makings of a great producer. As far as live performance skills, he’s got a lifetime of being onstage behind him, but these days he plays a weekly show at D’Angelos club in Philadelphia, as well as playing other Philly venues such as Grape Street Pub and the World Live Café. He opened up for Jaguar Wright at B.B. King’s in New York City- she extended the invitation on the spot after hearing his weekly show. He performs regularly in his native Chicago, and has played The Beat Kitchen, Uncommon Ground, the Speakeasy Supper Club, and the Gentry. Steven plays both piano (his first instrument) and guitar at his live performances.
Songs: Steven produced two albums of original music, ‘First Impressions (2002)’ and ‘Steven Hackman’s Second Album (2004)’, while in school, using only the piano and voice. They highlight his vocal arranging and piano abilities, and the songs show heavy influences of his classical and musical theatre background. After that he began a search to find a more personal and ‘pop’ sound, and two subsequent albums show that journey: ‘The Steep Upward Climb (2005)’ and ‘The New EP (2006).’ The latter shows him about to arrive at his destination, and with his new recording, ‘Pop/Acoustic (2007)’, he is finally at home in his style: soft, sweet, and soulful vocals; simple song structures with beautiful melodies; abundant use of vocal harmony; lyrical charm; and the always present suspicion that this may be the next great artist.