I'm suspicious of labels and categories, especially when they are applied to me.  Nevertheless, here I am, describing myself as a "singer-songwriter", and I suppose that means that I write songs, and sing them.  Sometimes I sing other people's songs too. I can't really describe my style - not even sure if I have an identifiable one -  but if pressed, I'd say I sound like me, and probably more like me than anyone else does. 

My voice has been described, not unfairly, as being "able to bend the needle on a record player". (It was Ian Davison that said that). Guitar style? Hmm .. "a bit crap" describes it, I think. I play mandolin "a bit".

So, yeah, I have won the Girvan Folk Festival Songwriting Competition twice, but on the other hand, one of those years there was just me and a tone-deaf dog - and the dog's entry was called "My Pretty Budgie".

I've performed at folk clubs in Glasgow, Ayr, Stirling, Houston, Edinburgh, Melrose, Newcastle,  either as a support turn or as the main artist, and I'm regularly to be heard at the various sessions around the pubs of Glasgow.

I can't say for certain what my influences have been, but here's some people whose songs and music I really like: Loudon Wainwright, Richard Thompson, Dick Gaughan, Michael Marra, Ry Cooder, Steve Earle, Robert Burns, J.Scott Skinner, Michael Marra, Randy Newman, amongst others. And, yes, I know Michael Marra is in the list twice and so should Randy Newman be, and if you ask me next week, I'll give you a different list.

 My own songs range over many different subjects - all the way from the philosophical insights afforded by a pigeon, or the restorative properties of Our Other National Drink, to fury over the Iraq conflict and other lunacies of our time

You can mail me at: stevenclarksongs@yahoo.co.uk