Sean Steinfeger w/ The Headhunters
2023 marked the year of your 50 year anniversary of The Headhunters. How did you celebrate it properly?
We’ve been touring pretty much non-stop for the past year and a half bringing our music to fans that have been following us on this journey for decades. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate than to play music!
As a band it’s extremely important to get along with each other, both on and off stage, as tension always kills the vibe. What do you think is the best way to maintain a good band atmosphere?
To wear earphones in the van and listen to music and not get into any stupid arguments about nothing that matters anyway!
You probably all have teached your instruments to young musicians at some point in your life. Since learning is never a one-sided process, what have you been able to learn from the younger ones in return?
Not to lose our seeking spirit! Even in our 70s we’re learning something new every day.
The music of The Headhunters has been sampled a lot by hip hop producers. What’s your attitude towards sampling, has it changed over the years and do you consider the sampler as an instrument?
Our attitude is please don’t steal anymore of our music without paying us! If you don’t know how to play, then pay those of us that do. If you are going to use any of our creativity on your own projects: PAY US!!!!
Is there any advice you would give your younger selves if you would had the chance?
Never give up on your dreams!
As a musician you seem to be surrounded by music almost 24/7. What do you do to switch off your mind and think about something else or to recharge?
Mike is a SGI Buddhist and chants „Nam Myoho Renge Kyo“ so as not to attach so heavily to the mundane world. We have beautiful wives and children and enjoy life outside of playing music as well.
After all these years of recording and touring, what keeps you still inspired creating new music?
It seems to be in our DNA. We don’t have to try to come up with new ideas, they are just there waiting for us to express them.
Your brand new album „The Stunt Man“ is coming out mid-October on Ropeadope. What’s the meaning behind the title and can you tell us a bit about the creation process?
The title just came together as we realized that we each are stunting around doing impossible shit whenever we get together. We all wrote, arranged and recorded the album at Hyde Street Studios in San Francisco, where we recorded with Herbie back in the 70s. We flew there with an empty canvas, got together and made magic happen. A few pieces like ESP and Embraceable You are standards that we reimagined with a funk vibe. Our young pianist Kyle Rousell brought in a tune called Attitude of Gratitude that really sums up the album.
One song of the new album is called „Attitude Of Gratitude“. What are things that you are grateful for that you wanted to express within this tune?
Being alive, being healthy, having been able to make a contribution to the music we love! All of the people who came in and out of our life.
There are many different Blue Note venues on almost every continent on this planet. Can you remember how many of them you have played already and what are your favorites?
Milan, NYC, Beijing, Tokyo, Fujioka, Napa, probably a few we can’t remember. Our favorite is Tokyo!
Being on tour can be pretty intense and exhausting. What are your routines to make it as healthy as possible?
We try to rest as much as possible, not eat heavy and not drink too much. We try to convince people this is hard work and with that early lobby calls are what kill traveling musicians. In order to play at your peak you need rest. It’s not rocket science! We are human!
What is your connection to Berlin and is there anything that you already know about Club Gretchen so far?
We like Berlin and have played there many times since the early 70’s. Always a great audience. Bill’s brother Darnell actually lives in Berlin and we are excited for him and his son to see the show.
What can the Berlin audience expect from your upcoming show at Gretchen on October 14th?
Lots of very modern grooves, very funky and somehow open, loose and lots of conversational solos and interactions to listen to. You can also dance if you like as it’s always funky. Lots of history in this music: some ancient and some bebop, some funk.
The Headhunters *live* – am 14.10.2024. Alle Infos dazu gibt’s auch hier: THE HEADHUNTERS – Gretchen, Berlin