Steven Kautzky Andersson
Steven Kautzky Andersson from Sweden is known internationally as a solo guitarist, who in his early twenties was discovered by Guitar Worlds’s legendary talent scout Mike Varney in the U.S., for his distinct and virtuosic instrumental music, a mix of progressive rock with influences of classical music, folk music and oriental music. He debuted as a recording artist at the age of 22, with the sensational Grammy-nominated album “Steven Anderson ́s Gipsy Power”; heavy, instrumental guitar music, inspired by the beauty of eastern European gipsy music. He was hailed as a new guitar hero from Sweden and his skills as a composer was internationally praised, as well as nationally. Steven signed contracts with worldwide companies such as Warner, Universal and EMI and achieved substantial success, especially in Japan. Now he is the founder of the awarded rock band Electric Religions that has influences from both the Asian world and the Chinese culture.
When the Swedish guitar player and composer Steven was a youngster in the early 1990 ́s, he lived in Los Angeles and studied at the Musicians Institute, with world recognized tutors like Steve Trovato, Scot Henderson and Paul Gilbert. He then started writing his own music after obsessively practicing his guitar skills from 12-15 hours per day. When Mike Varney recognized Steven Kautzky Andersson in the world wide guitar magazine Guitar World he wrote: ”Steven reveals a gift of composing original material that is both raw and aggressive. It is hauntingly melodic, with crisp and concise solos”.
Around 2002 Steven began having problems with his arms, so he decided to stop playing. After damage done to his arms with a following inflammation and after numerous lithotripsies, cortisone injections and different acupuncture techniques, the guitar was put on the shelf and was untouched for close to ten years. During this time Steven established his own company and worked as a brand developer and communication strategist. Something which got him to make several trips to China with the task to strengthen international relationships between different innovation driven companies and investors. It was also there where the thoughts of the band Electric Religions were formed. Later in 2012 Steven saw a concert with Yngwie J Malmsten at the Getaway Rock Festival in Sweden, which gave him flashbacks from the time when he experienced the same artist 1985 at the Saltlagret in Copenhagen. By accepting some pain, change the style of playing, tune down the guitar and play a somewhat rougher solo, it has been possible to play again.
Earlier in 2015 Electric Religions’ documentary “The Golden Awakening Tour in China 2014” was awarded the gold prize at The 6th Macau International Movie Festival in China. At the show actor Jean-Claude van Damme was spotted playing air guitar along to the band’s performance of their Bruce Lee tribute “Lee Chao-Long”.
In spring 2015 they did their third China tour in the past six months, eight live houses that started up at the legendary MAO Live-House in Shanghai and ended up by doing a high intense concert at Sound Of The Xity festival in Beijing. They also did a live TV-show recorded by Mango-TV in Zhuhai.
Electric Religions music is western oriented progressive rock with inspiration from Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple, and that has influences from both the Asian world, the Chinese culture as well as from the oriental music. Philosophical thoughts and ideas which have influenced the western world and which are constantly current. Electric Religions is a hybrid of a multicultural society. The lyrics and the musical impression takes us from the Sun Zi, warrior art, Lee Chao-Long (Bruce Lee), Confucius, the power of the dragon and the digital society to a focused musical kaleidoscope which is expressed by the powerful and heavy rock sound, which is characteristic for Electric Religions.
“China is a country which is a carrier of a history which can be both fascinating and exciting. There is something which grabs hold of you. There is a friendliness with the people you meet, despite which history or background they carry.”, says Steven Kautzky Andersson.
Steven has today signed a new exclusive sponsor agreement with the established Framus Guitars, which without any counterclaims has created conditions for Steven to develop his playing and sound.
We at Joyo are proud to endorse Steven and in near future he will be able to offer guitar clinics when he is in China.
”JOYO has exceeded my expectation when it comes of delivering creative and high qualified effect pedals. With its smooth and cool design, built by using the latest technology for every small detail, where everything is adjusted to suite all kinds of requirements. I know since I have extremely high demands and need my equipment to work and sound nice during, practices, shows and while being on the road. That's why I chose to play the Iron Man series from Joyo.”, says Steven Kautzky Andersson about joining the force of Joyo and playing the pedals from the Iron Man series.
”It is all about a mixture between mind, soul, heart, guitar, amp and pedals, and to be able to express yourself through your playing. To enjoy life and be humble to what life bring you.", says Steven Kautzky Andersson.
The continuation of Steven Kautzky Andersson ́s musical journey has now started a new chapter.
www.wikipedia.com/steven_kautzky_andersson
www.electricreligions.se