Steve Wynn formed his first band, The Light Bulbs at age 9. His second outfit, Sudden Death Overtime got its start while Wynn was just beginning middle school. Eventually, after a series of youthful explorations of a life in music, Wynn formed The Dream Syndicate in 1981. Success came quickly for that band as they found themselves entwined with a burgeoning new psychedelic pop scene in Los Angeles that was being dubbed The Paisely Underground. This cadre of bands included Green On Red, The Bangles, The Three O’Clock, Opal, and The Rain Parade.
While the Paisley Underground scene was short-lived, it provided a massive boost to the beginning of the Dream Syndicate’s career. By the time the band released their second album, they spent eight weeks touring with R.E.M., garnering them a much larger audience. The Dream Syndicate were critical darlings however, and not a huge commercial success, and by 1988, Wynn and his bandmates packed it in to go their separate ways.
Since the dissolution of The Dream Syndicate, Wynn has been busy with a prolific solo career and a busy life of side projects. In 2007, he formed The Baseball Project, a band which writes songs solely about the great game of baseball and its history. The Baseball Project, whose well-pedigreed lineup features Scott McCaughey, Peter Buck, Linda Pitmon, Wynn, and even Mike Mills on occasion, has now released four full length records and tour regularly around the US.
Wynn also has a long history of playing house concerts and appearing in alternative venues. During our conversation, we discussed the beauty of playing in smaller and more unique spaces, especially as a solo artist. Steve and I also talked about how limitations and prompts, like writing about baseball, are helpful for his own creativity. We also hit upon the compulsion of the creative mind, and the sacrifices that one often has to make to live life fully as an artist.
Cheers,
Matty C
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End Credits
Thanks so much to Steve for joining me. Be sure to check out aloof his work and upcoming tour dates at https://www.stevewynn.net/
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