Steve is featured on the cover of the September issue of Guitar World Magazine along with Tosin Abasi of Animals as Leaders. Inside the magazine, Steve speaks about his upcoming album “The Story of Light” and in a historic first, Steve & Abasi discuss what it takes to be a virtuoso and why six strings just ain’t enough.
JAM Magazine recently interviewed Steve in their article “The Hardest working Shredder in Show Business.” Click here to read the interview. Story By Vinny Cecolini
Check out this behind the scenes video of Steve’s photoshoot with Carvin for the Legacy 3. The track playing in the background is ‘Gravity Storm’ from Vai’s upcoming new album “The Story of Light”
Steve’s 2012 Fall tour of North America will showcase the tremendously talented Beverly McClellan as an opening act. Here is a clip of Steve recounting meeting Beverly (who was a finalist on the NBC television show “The Voice”)
Beverly performs on “John The Revelator” – one of 12 new tracks from Steve’s upcoming record “The Story of Light” – available for pre order on www.vai.com
GuitarNoize.com was given a sneak peak preview of Steve’s upcoming record, “The Story of Light.” Their initial review and list of the the track names is available at http://www.guitarnoize.com/review-steve-vai-the-story-of-light/
Steve talks about his upcoming record “The Story of Light” track-by-track in this interview. A presale for “The Story of Light” that includes limited edition items is available on Vai.com
A limited number of “EVO Experience Passes” are available for Steve’s upcoming tour. With the purchase of the pass, you’ll be included in an intimate and open group discussion with Steve, watch Steve and the band sound check for that night’s performance, and enjoy concert to remember! EVO Experience availability is VERY LIMITED so reserve your spot by purchasing a pass at www.vai.com
“One of my favorite parts of the day while on tour is meeting and talking with our EVO participants. They know the heart of my music and I allow, and enjoy, intimate conversations and feel oddly free at discussing anything, especially the stuff I keep from the press.” -s
Steve is featured on Joe Jackson’s new release “The Duke” – a tribute to the late American jazz giant Duke Ellington. Their collaboration on “Isfahan” is a beautiful instrumental arrangement that fans will enjoy. Other performers include Regina Carter, Christian McBride, Ahmir ‘?uestlove’ Thompson and other members of The Roots. Visit this link to get the record.
The next issue of Classic Rock – No.174 – will be available as a Steve Vai variant edition, featuring his brand new solo album The Story Of Light.
The issue will feature:
* The full new album from Steve Vai: The Story Of Light
* A 12-page feature on the making of the album – exclusive and unique to this limited-edition version of Classic Rock
* Exclusive interview with Steve Vai unavailable elsewhere
* A collector’s edition of Classic Rock with an exclusive variant cover featuring Steve Vai
Steve Vai’s new solo album The Story Of Light features a sprawling and expressive 12-song set continuing a conceptual and cosmic narrative arc which began on the guitarist’s acclaimed 2005 album Real Illusions: Reflections.
Although The Story of Light is largely instrumental, the album does feature guest vocalists including singer-songwriter Aimee Mann dueting with Vai on No More Amsterdam, which she also co-wrote.
Beverly McClellan, a season-one finalist on The Voice in the US, appears on John The Revelator, a track inspired by a vintage recording of blues singer Blind Willie Johnson, whose acid-soaked vocals are in the mix as well.
Other highlights include the title track (which opens the album), Gravity Storm, The Moon And I and Velorum.
This limited-run Classic Rock Steve Vai Edition Magazine is a Collector’s Edition in its own right and will be unavailable elsewhere.
It’s available for pre-order here.
A special VIP Package for the 2012 G3 European Summer Tour featuring Steve Vai, Joe Satriani & Steve morse is on sale at http://vip.g3tour.com/
VIP PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- Meet JOE SATRIANI, STEVE VAI and STEVE MORSE
- Photograph with the 3 Gs
- Autograph one item with the 3 Gs
- Tour merchandise
- Exclusive Laminate
- Early Entry to the venue
- Random selection of 2 people to watch the G3 jam from side of the stage
Today is Steve’s birthday! If you’d like to share a birthday message for him, leave it here on the vai.com forum or on Steve’s Facebook Fan Page.
Steve will be performing over 45 shows in North America beginning August 15th in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in support of his upcoming release “The Story of Light”, which is now available for pre-sale on www.vai.com
Check the vai.com Tour Dates page for the most up-to-date dates. Ticket links coming soon.
Steve Vai North America Fall Tour 2012 |
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|---|---|---|---|
| 08/15/12 | Ft. Lauderdale, FL | Revolution | United States |
| 08/16/12 | St. Petersburg, FL | Palladium Theater | United States |
| 08/17/12 | Lake Buena Vista, FL | House of Blues | United States |
| 08/18/12 | Jacksonville, FL | Florida Theatre | United States |
| 08/20/12 | Charlotte, NC | The Fillmore | United States |
| 08/21/12 | Nashville, TN | Marathon Musicworks | United States |
| 08/22/12 | Asheville, NC | Orange Peel | United States |
| 08/23/12 | Atlanta, GA | Centerstage | United States |
| 08/24/12 | N. Myrtle Beach, SC | House of Blues | United States |
| 08/25/12 | Durham, NC | Carolina Theatre | United States |
| 08/26/12 | Richmond, VA | The National | United States |
| 08/28/12 | Washington D.C. | The Howard Theatre | United States |
| 08/29/12 | Stroudsberg, PA | Sherman Theatre | United States |
| 08/30/12 | Glenside, PA | Keswick Theatre | United States |
| 08/31/12 | Westbury, NY | Theatre at Westbury | United States |
| 09/02/12 | Lancaster, PA | Chameleon Club | United States |
| 09/04/12 | Ridgefield, CT | The Ridgefield Playhouse | United States |
| 09/05/12 | Wilmington, DE | The Grand Opera House | United States |
| 09/06/12 | Greensburg, PA | Palace Theatre | United States |
| 09/07/12 | New Brunswick, NJ | State Theater | United States |
| 09/08/12 | Morristown, NJ | Mayo Performing Arts Center | United States |
| 09/09/12 | Albany, NY | The Egg | United States |
| 09/11/12 | New York, NY | Best Buy Theater | United States |
| 09/13/12 | Boston, MA | Wilbur Theatre | United States |
| 09/14/12 | Northampton, MA | Calvin Theatre | United States |
| 09/15/12 | Concord, NH | Capitol Center | United States |
| 09/16/12 | Lebanon, NH | Lebanon Opera House | United States |
| 09/17/12 | Quebec, QA | Capitole Du Quebec | Canada |
| 09/18/12 | Montreal, QC | Metropolis | Canada |
| 09/20/12 | Toronto, ON | Sony Centre | Canada |
| 09/21/12 | Royal Oak, MI | Royal Oak Music Hall | United States |
| 09/22/12 | Buffalo, NY | University of Buffalo Center for the Arts | United States |
| 09/24/12 | Cleveland, OH | House of Blues | United States |
| 09/26/12 | Minneapolis, MN | The Brick | United States |
| 09/27/12 | Milwaukee, WI | Pabst Theater | United States |
| 09/28/12 | Chicago, IL | House of Blues | United States |
| 09/29/12 | St. Louis, MO | The Pageant | United States |
| 09/30/12 | Salina, KS | The Stiefel | United States |
| 10/01/12 | Denver, CO | The Ogden Theatre | United States |
| 10/03/12 | Boise, ID | Knitting Factory | United States |
| 10/04/12 | Seattle, WA | The Moore Theatre | United States |
| 10/05/12 | Vancouver, BC | Commodore Ballroom | Canada |
| 10/06/12 | Portland, OR | Roseland Theater | United States |
| 10/07/12 | Napa, CA | Uptown Theatre | United States |
| 10/09/12 | San Francisco, CA | Regency Ballroom | United States |
| 10/10/12 | Sacramento, CA | Ace of Spades | United States |
| 10/11/12 | Anaheim, CA | City National Grove of Anaheim | United States |
| 10/12/12 | Los Angeles | Club Nokia | United States |
| 10/13/12 | Agoura Hills, CA | Canyon Club | United States |
LOS ANGELES, CA, May 23, 2012: Virtuoso guitarist and visionary composer Steve Vai will release The Story of Light, a new solo album of original material, on August 14. The title comes out on Favored Nations Entertainment, the label Vai founded in 1999. Its sprawling and expressive 12-song set continues a conceptual and cosmic narrative arc begun on the artist’s acclaimed 2005 album Real Illusions: Reflections (also Vai’s most recent solo studio release).
Although The Story of Light is largely instrumental, the album does feature guest vocalists including singer-songwriter Aimee Mann—dueting with Vai on “No More Amsterdam,” which she also cowrote—and Beverly McClellan, a season one finalist on The Voice. McClellan appears on “John the Revelator,” a track inspired by a vintage recording of blues singer Blind Willie Johnson, whose acidsoaked vocals are in the mix as well. Other highlights include the title track (which opens the album), “Gravity Storm,” “The Moon and I,” and “Velorum.”
Throughout, three-time GRAMMY-winner Vai’s lead guitar is as lyrically resonant as it is technically masterful, his licks and solos bending sounds and in listeners’ minds in equal measure. The Story of Light follows the journey of a man driven mad by grief, intertwining tragedy, revelation, enlightenment, and redemption.
“I’m always pursuing knowledge, I’m a seeker of spiritual equilibrium—and music is a big part of that,” says Vai. “I’ve been obsessed with these kinds of ideas for years.” Looking ahead, Vai envisions a third set of songs that will unravel the mysteries and reveal truths that swirl through both The Story of Light and Real Illusions: Reflections. The completed trilogy, intended to be cinematic—even operatic—in scope, will include lyrics and narration.
The Story of Light is available as of today for online pre-sale orders. This special pre-sale selection of bundled packages is offered exclusively through Vai’s website, www.Vai.com, where complete details on the products and ordering information are available. Each package includes an instant download of a track from the new album personally selected by Vai, “Gravity Storm.” Following up the 2009 live album Where The Wild Things Are, The Story of Light, is Vai’s 16th solo effort. In support of its release, Vai will begin a tour of North America on August 15th in Fort Lauderdale Florida, accompanied by his band—who are also featured on the new album: Dave Weiner (guitar), Jeremy Colson (drums), Philip Bynoe (bass), and Deborah Hensen (harp, vocals, keyboards). For more information: www.vai.com
Steve will be presenting the “Best Live Band Award” at the 2012 Revolver Golden Gods Awards in Los Angeles. The ceremony will broadcast live on all XBOX game consoles as well as Revolver’s Facebook page starting at 6pm PST tonight, Wednesday, April 11th, 2012
Steve Vai & Joe Satriani will be joined by Steve Morse as the G3 tour tears through Europe this summer! Its a G3 World Domination as the first show of the New Zealand/Australia tour kicks off tomorrow featuring Vai, Satriani & Steve Lukather. Here are the “G3 Europe 2012″ dates, more shows are being added, stay tuned:
7/21/12 – Offenbach Stadthalle – Frankfurt, Germany
7/22/12 – 10 Giorni Suonati – Vigevano, Italy (ticket info coming soon)
7/23/12 – TonHalle – Munich, Germany
7/24/12 – Stadtpark – Hamburg, Germany
8/1/12 – Budapest Sportarena – Budapest, Hungary
For more information visit the Tour Dates page.
Steve’s 100 watt Marshall JMP & matching “white face” 4×12 cabinets used on David Lee Roth’s “Eat Em and Smile” record and the 1986-1988 David Lee Roth tour are for sale on the Official Light.Without.Heat eBay account.
The 100 watt Marshall JMP was given to Ted Templeman by Steve Stevens during the NYC recording sessions for “Eat Em and Smile.” The amp was then modded to Steve’s liking by Lee Jackson, famous for performing sought after custom modifications to Marshall amplifiers for top artists in the 1980′s and 1990′s. The 100 watt plexi head features an extra gain stage, frequency adjust control, effects loop & master volume. The head has been well maintained in Los Angeles and features matching Drake transformers, KT88 quad-matched power tubes & hand-selected pre-amp tubes to Steve’s liking.
The twin 4×12 cabinets are outfitted with Celestion Vintage 30 speakers made in Ipswich, England. Both cabinets bear Steve’s signature, certification & are in perfect working order. This is your chance to bid on a historical piece of equipment used by a legendary performer in their international breakthrough role. This is an official Vai.com auction.
All questions will be answered as promptly as possible. A portion of the proceeds will go to he Make-a-noise fund, a 501.3c which provides musical instruments to cultivate and preserve musical awareness, development, and education. For a full gallery & the item listing visit this link.
Steve has just completed the 7th song for his new record. The song is called “Mullach A’TSi” and was inspired by Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin’s version of the song that appears on her album of children’s Irish songs and lullabies ‘A Stór is a Stóirín”. Check out her post on the subject here.
Congratulations to Steve Vai and Carvin for being awarded a Best Of NAMM 2012 award from Gear Gurus.
The VL300 Legacy 3 was chosen as one of the top products of the National Association of Music Merchants Trade Show. The Legacy 3 is a compact 3 channel 100w amp designed by Steve Vai and Carvin’s amplifier engineers. For more information on the amp and a video demo with Steve visit Carvin’s website.
Steve arrives at the GRAMMY Foundation’s Music Cares: Person of the Year” – an evening celebrating one artist’s outstanding contributions to music. This year’s recipient was Sir Paul McCartney. Here is a short audio interview of Steve from Grammy.org: http://bit.ly/MusicCares
On Friday February 9, 2012, Steve & Sharon Osbourne co-hosted “One Night Only” – A celebration of The Live Music Experience at the Saban Theater in Los Angeles . Performances with performances by Robert Cray, Jonny Lang, L.P., Mavis Staples, Robert Cray, Marc Martel, Dave Koz & Trombone Shorty.
