Artist description See Steve's Bio...

Music Style Progressive Rock

Musical Influences Genesis, Yes, Renaissance, Rush, and many more...

Similar Artists Genesis (Peter Gabriel years)

Artist History Born in Nova Scotia in 1961 and now living near Toronto, Steve Cochrane's early listening experiences came from AM radio, then later from the FM band in its explosive infancy. At the age of 15, he picked up a guitar and got serious about becoming a musician himself. He was soon practicing six hours a day, learning by ear from favourite records. A major influence at the time was Rush, whose albums he could play along with from beginning to end.Involvement with a handful of local bands soon followed, the most notable being Endpieces, an all-original progressive rock band which gained some local celebrity status. Steve's abilities as a composer blossomed within Endpieces as his listening tastes and influences expanded to include British progressive rock acts such as Genesis, Mike Oldfield and Renaissance. Steve Hackett, in his work with Genesis and as a solo artist, became the new guitar mentor.During this time, another notable development had occurred. Steve discovered the works of novelist/philosopher Ayn Rand, who's writing projected a rational world and Man as a heroic being. Steve was inspired by this vision and sought to create music that belonged in such a world.In 1983, Endpieces disbanded and Steve, contemplating his future and bolstered by a growing confidence in his artistic abilities, decided to go it alone as a composer/recording artist. He then invested in some basic recording equipment and began working on what he hoped would be his first album. Five years later, struggling for the resources to complete a guitar and vocal-laden project with huge production requirements and with no record label interest, Steve saw the benefits of the emerging MIDI technology and decided to put the current project on hold. Heroes Awaken was born and in 1991, released. Although it is dominated by keyboard synthesizers, electric guitar is included on two tracks and MIDI guitar, which Steve delved into along the way, appears throughout.With a debut release under his belt, Steve was getting back to the guitar and hoping to incorporate it more into a follow-up album. Much of what was written at this time was originated on guitar or with the thought of featuring guitar as a lead instrument. Technology was now bringing digital multitrack to home studios and Steve invested in a computer-based system. The result was the 1995 release, To See It made Real.Finally, the time had come to take care of unfinished business. Steve looked back at the project he had put on the shelf before Heroes Awaken. With the resources now at his disposal to record at home, he spent the next year and a half relearning, re-recording and fine-tuning the arrangements. One new adventurous piece, The Promise of the Music, was written as a retrospective on the artist's idealistic youth. Fifteen years after its inception, The Purest of Designs (originally titled Preamble) has been released, as Steve Cochrane ponders new directions for a fourth album.

Group Members Steve Cochrane and guest performers...

Instruments Many synthesizers, guitars, drum modules, Apple MAC recording software, etc.

Albums Heroes Awaken, To See It Made Real, The Purest Of Designs

Press Reviews See Steve's Website....

Location Hamilton, ON - Canada

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