Ep465: Steve Wynn - The Dream Syndicate & Beyond

The Vinyl Guide - Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds

Steve Wynn of The Dream Syndicate reflects on his career, the resurgence of vinyl, the collectable nature of his rare vinyl releases and the creative process behind his latest album "Make It Right" and autobiography "I Wouldn't Say It If It Wasn't True".

Topic Include:

• Steve’s experience moving from physical media (vinyl, CDs) to digital formats for convenience on the road.
• Nostalgia for his time working at Rhino Records and its influence on his music career.
• The unique music community and culture at Rhino Records, where Steve worked and networked.
• Steve’s gradual shift away from collecting vinyl and embracing digital media.
• The evolution of the record industry from the 1980s to present, particularly how vinyl has returned.
• The role of music curation in record stores and its importance for music discovery.
• Steve’s reflections on his long music career, ensuring his albums are still released on vinyl.
• The process behind finally releasing Sweetness and Light on vinyl after many years.
• How European record labels helped support Steve’s career in the 1990s when U.S. labels were less involved.
• Curating and filtering music as a key element for making a record store stand out.
• The strategy behind releasing his new album Make It Right alongside his autobiography.
• Steve’s thoughts on the practicality and challenges of touring with vinyl versus digital formats.
• The difficulties and satisfaction of managing his own music career independently for over 30 years.
• Experiences with bootleg releases of live performances and navigating music rights issues.
• Steve’s approach to improvisation in music, particularly during live performances and recording sessions.
• The creative freedom Steve found in balancing spontaneous music creation with planned studio work.
• Inspirations behind Dream Syndicate’s album covers, including their homage to classic jazz designs.
• Steve’s take on recording technology, from analog to digital, and how it has influenced his process.
• The importance of capturing the immediacy of live music, and how it can surpass overproduced studio albums.
• Reflections on how Steve’s songwriting process is influenced by his background in sports journalism, focusing on brevity and clarity.
• Steve’s view on minimalism in songwriting, using fewer words to evoke more emotion and meaning.
• His thoughts on how jazz and rock influences shaped Dream Syndicate’s sound and aesthetic.
• The evolution of his career, from making records in the 1980s to navigating the modern digital landscape.
• Steve’s challenges with securing master rights to his older albums and his recent success in reclaiming Medicine Show.
• The role of collaboration in his music, particularly with new band members who bring fresh perspectives to his creative process.
• Steve’s reflections on how the resurgence of vinyl impacts both artists and the music industry today.
• His thoughts on the balance between maintaining artistic integrity and the pressures from labels to produce commercially viable hits.
• The impact of the 2008 Universal Studios fire on master recordings and the uncertain status of some of his work.
• The importance of remaining adaptable in the music industry, especially with changes in distribution and technology.
• How Steve manages the intersection of being both a musician and his own manager, keeping both roles distinct yet complementary.
• The early records and mega collectibles of his career
• Interview wrap up

Learn about Steve's releases and tours here.

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