Steve Pledger
Steve Pledger is a multi-award-winning recording artist with an enviable reputation as a talented and dynamic performer. With writing that ranges from fragile reflections on love and loss to blistering commentaries on present circumstances, his songs pack an emotional punch, both on record and on stage.
Cast in the mould of the classic troubadour, there are inevitably shades of those who ultimately have defined the role, and yet his blend of blistering social commentary, stark honesty, and fearless tenderness have marked Steve out as someone unafraid to create his own place in the singer/songwriter landscape. Discernible influences include Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam, Loudon Wainwright lll, Graham Parker, Don McLean, Springsteen, and others.
After releasing his debut album in 2012, ‘14 Good Intentions’, in April 2015 Steve released ‘Striking Matches In The Wind’, which according to R2 Magazine’s 4* review is “Authentically expressed in a voice with genuine appeal... a direct route to the heart.” In addition to Steve’s central performances, the album is graced by a number of other talented artists, including Lukas Drinkwater with whom Steve has continued to collaborate since.
Successful tours over the last ten years have taken him around the UK. His much anticipated third album, ‘Somewhere Between’, came out in April 2016 to critical acclaim, appearing on multiple ‘Best of 2016’ radio shows - frequently in the top ten - and in January 2017 it was announced as Album Of The Year by FATEA, as well as by FolkWords in their Male Solo Artist category.
In February 2019, Steve launched his live music initiative, On Trust Events, to help make live music more accessible to all, regardless of their financial situation. It was nominated for a FATEA Award for ‘Innovation’ in January 2020. That same month, his first live (mini) album, 'Alone In The Dark' came out. Featuring 7 of his best-loved songs played live and solo, it made it on to several ‘Best of 2019’ lists, including Roots & Fusion’s ‘25 Essential Albums of the Year’.
In 2022 he released his 4th studio album, ‘What Tomorrow Knows’. Well-received by audiences and critics alike, Folk & Tumble described it as ‘the protest album the world needs’ (5/5).
Ultimately, on record, as well as on stage, Steve Pledger's songs connect.
"A privilege to witness." - FATEA)
"Extraordinary! If you haven’t found Steve before, you have now!" folking.com
“Poetic, knowing, clever, thoughtful & melodic; the world would be a far better place with more of this stuff." (8/10)Americana-uk
“An object lesson in the craft of contemporary song writing.” fRoots Magazine
“(‘Somewhere Between’) casts Steve as a protest singer, up there with the likes of Billy Bragg, Phil Ochs and Ewan MacColl.”Neil King, FATEA Magazine
"One of the UK's outstanding contemporary singer/songwriters." - Live In The North East
"An object lesson in the art of contemporary song-writing."- fRoots Magazine
"A cracking listen; never a dull moment... from a very fine singer/songwriter." Frank Hennessey, BBC Radio Wales
"Authentically expressed in a voice with genuine appeal... a direct route to the heart. 4****"R2 Magazine
"It’s absolutely wonderful from gritty start to resigned end. Despite these 12 songs' unflinching elements of truth and honesty, ‘Striking Matches in the Wind’ is still imbued with an air of possibility and positivity among the hardships. The faith that love, community and friendship will see us all right in the end. Pledger has crafted a set of truly wonderful songs here; poetic, knowing, clever, thoughtful and melodic; the world would be a far better place with more of this stuff."- 8/10 - Americana-UK
Reviews of WHAT TOMORROW KNOWS:
“A future classic from a lyrical genius.” - Roots & Fusion
“It may just be Steve Pledger’s masterpiece.” - FATEA Magazine
“Cements Pledger’s status as one of the finest protest singer/songwriters of his generation.” - Folk & Tumble
“A huge and amazing album.” - Folking.com
