Kansas City: A Buzzing Summer of Content Creation for Steve Wynn
Over 40 years into his career, musician Steve Wynn is no stranger to the fast-paced, high-pressure world of touring and recording. Currently on a red-hot summer tour with the Baseball Project, alongside former R.E.M. members Peter Buck and Mike Mills, Scott McCaughey from Minus 5/Young Fresh Fellows, and Linda Pitmon from Filthy Friends and Alejandro Escovedo, the prolific songwriter is as busy as ever.
Their latest tour supports their recent album release, Grand Salami Time! Simultaneously, Wynn is set to publish his debut autobiography, I Wouldn’t Say It If It Wasn’t True, and launch his first solo album in 12 years, titled Make It Right, on August 30th.
When Passion Fuels the Drive
In a recent interview with Steve Wynn, he shared, “I love making music, touring, and recording, and, now, writing a book. It’s nothing that I need a break from. It’s what I choose to do whenever possible.”
While the joy of creation is the lifeblood of any artist, Wynn derives strength from the variety of his projects. From his bands, side projects, solo work, and now his forthcoming book, every venture provides unique creative outlets and expressive opportunities. His childhood love for baseball brings a cheerful camaraderie to the Baseball Project, whereas the legacy of his career-launching band, the Dream Syndicate, serves as a deep artistic well from which he continues to draw inspiration.
Writing: A Whole New Ballgame
Writing his autobiography was a new venture for Wynn, who found the process significantly different from his regular songwriting or performing. It required a decade of contemplative retrospection and introspection, with two standalone chapters about Alex Chilton and U2 serving as precursors to the final book.
The final product, he admits, was starkly candid, revealing a great deal of his struggles with alcohol during his early career. Yet, it provides an extensive view into his life and career, from initial struggles to worldwide fame, complete with all the ups and downs typical of an artist’s trajectory.
Music, Travel, and Baseball
In true rock and roll style, Wynn and his Baseball Project bandmates tackle touring with exuberance. Taking advantage of being in new cities, the band members often squeeze baseball games into their tight schedules – adding a pleasing dash of relaxation into their schedule. Wynn stated, “We had one tour, I think it was 10 years ago, we went out and we were lucky. Every city we went to, the home team was playing, and we saw games 13 of the 14 days and that was amazing.”
When not going to games, the band relishes local food, adding another layer of exploration and indulgence into their touring experience. As Wynn confessed, the band is looking forward to enjoying Kansas City’s famous barbecues this summer!
Continuing the Legacy
With upcoming performances and new projects on the horizon, Steve Wynn shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. His love for music, writing, and baseball continues to inspire his creative endeavors, influencing the music industry with his passionate charisma. As he takes center stage, the audience can look forward to a thrilling ride through an eventful lifetime embedded in his lyrics and rhythms.
The Baseball Project is set to play at recordBar on Wednesday, July 10. With a charismatic, baseball-loving band and a new album to present, the performance promises to be a summer highlight for baseball and music fans alike.
