Steve Mayone
Versatile and Coherent
Steve Mayone Spotlight
Based in Brooklyn, Steve Mayonne performs as a solo artist and with his bands Bastards of Fine Arts and The Cousins Project. He’s released five albums, toured the U.S., Canada, and Europe, and built a reputation for genre-hopping.
Beyond his own catalog, Steve composes for film and television and is a sought-after accompanist, bringing tasteful musicianship and strong harmonies to every stage he steps on.
Roots & Early Years
Growing up outside New York City, Steve began writing songs in 1978, releasing his earliest work on cassette tapes (yes, actual tapes). He attended Berklee College of Music in the 1980s, then toured with several Boston-area bands including Treat Her Right, Hummer, and The Benders.
The Albums
Steve released his first CD, Bedroom Rockstar, in 2004. Critics immediately took notice:
“Mayone is a master songsmith… He crafts and molds his stories eloquently and intelligently.” — Americana UK
He followed with:
Unfortunate Son (2005) – Called “a great follow up” (Smother), further establishing his pop-rock instincts with Americana bends.
Understories (2006) – Noted for powerful lyrics and strong guitar and mandolin work.
Long Play Record (2009) – Described as “brilliant” (Americana UK), a cohesive collection built on the classic three-minute pop structure, touching everything from country-blues to harmony-rich power pop.
Beautiful Blood (2013) – A collaboration with cousin Kristina Stykos (see “The Cousins Project” below).
Sideways Rain (2017) – “Rife with flowing pop and folk-flavored ballads that exude a romantic and bittersweet glow.” — Steve Morse
Across the catalog, reviewers have pointed to influences like The Beatles and The Beach Boys while confirming that the result is distinctly Mayone: melodic, literate, and versatile.
Collaborations & Studio Work
As an in-demand accompanist, Steve has performed and toured with Sister Kate Taylor, Annie Keating, and Todd Thibaud. He’s shared studio space with Levon Helm, Larry Campbell, and Bow Thayer.
His playing and vocals appear on albums including:
Blue Flowers (2014) by Marjan Farsad
Sawdust and Glitter (2018) by Paisley Fields
I’m Here Let Me In (2018) by Boris McCutcheon
Mayone (2020) Steve’s unexpected solo album during the pandemic
The Cousins Project
The Cousins Project was born in 2006 when long-lost cousins Steve Mayone and Kristina Stykos discovered they shared musical DNA—their grandparents were siblings.
Their 2013 debut, Beautiful Blood, drew rave reviews:
“An album of quiet beauty and marvelous moments.” — Maverick Country (UK)
“A simpatico that is genetic as well as intellectual.” — Vermont Times Argus
Bastards of Fine Arts
Formed in 2015 with songwriter Matt Keating, Bastards of Fine Arts blends veteran songcraft with jam-ready grooves. With Jason Mercer on bass and Greg Wieczorek on drums, the band built a following through their “New Song Forward Friday” series and continues developing new material rooted in collaborative energy and strong hooks.
American Songwriter has good things to say about Steve’s band:
“With a sound that’s both emotive and effusive, the Bastards of Fine Arts are a supergroup of sorts consisting of veteran singer-songwriters Matt Keating and Steve Mayone. They make a solid impression, drawing occasional comparisons to Nashville Skyline-era Bob Dylan, Lou Reed, Wilco, The Jayhawks... it’s a melodic potpourri that allows for a sumptuous set of songs.”
Featured Song: “It’s Enough to Make You Cry”
Steve has this to say about his feature song “It’s Enough to Make you Cry”.
A song is melody and words. Finding a way to blend those together is the joy and challenge of songwriting. Sometimes the melody comes first, sometimes the words. As of late, I’ve become more focused on the lyrical hook: how a turn-of-phrase can spark iterations and be developed into a story. This song is a good example of how a colloquial expression can inspire a melody. Listen to what people say and make note of it. Local vernacular makes for good song ideas.
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Bandcamp (Steve Mayone)
Bandcamp (Bastards of Fine Arts)
🎶 Spotlight No. 58
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Disclaimer
All biographical details and quotes in this post come directly from the artist and/or the artist’s public online presence. The thoughts and opinions shared are the artist’s own. I use AI tools to help organize information and smooth out the writing, but every spotlight is personally curated, shaped, and approved by me. Songwriter Safari isn’t responsible for the accuracy of submitted details or the availability of external links.