Photo Credit: Steph Larsen
The last time I spoke with Steve Rondo, he was just about to go into the studio to record his new project. Now, a year later, this project is a debut album, The Rudys, that’s out everywhere on streaming platforms. To celebrate, he’s having an album release show at Brighton Music Hall on May 31st.
Like me, you may be wondering what or who “The Rudys” are. ‘Rudy’ is a term that Steve’s dad and his best friend used to call each other. Were any of them named Rudy? Nope. But, it was their term of endearment for their friendship group (a much nicer version of the Mean Girls). Steve made the album with his best friends Richie and Keelan, so the album title The Rudys is an ode to their friendship, and it feels like an end of an era.
Steve is a singer-songwriter at heart. However, for this project, he said it’s an indie-alt-songwriter album that has been influenced by different genres. His producer Sam Kassirer encouraged Steve to try out new elements like synth, and Steve even made the album version of “Afternoon Rebellion” more broody and introspective compared to the earlier version of the song.
“The vision for the album is an arc of your 20s — what it’s like to be a kid/adult when you’re living in a city,” stated Rondo. When Steve was in his 20s, he had just graduated school, started his career, was single (he is now engaged!), and was living for himself. The album reflects that “work hard, play hard” mentality of that era. As he moved through his 20s, “he lost his sense of confidence, grew into a sense of humility and authenticity of self while trusting that everything was going to be okay.” The journey of the album is mirrored in the music choices — the first half of the album is more lively and youthful and the second half is more laid-back. “I wanted the sonic landscape to match the arc and make sure it didn’t sound too tacky.”
Considering the album does revolve around growing up, I did ask Steve about his 20s and 30s. He said the most iconic part of his 20s was playing music 4-5 times a week at different venues and meeting new people. His advice for those who are heading into their 30s was as follows: “It’s beautiful to engage in each stage of life and youth ≠ looking younger. You can do whatever you want and you shouldn’t hold yourself back. Personally, I’m going to be surfing and snowboarding when I’m a senior citizen!”
Steve’s favorite part of the album was spending so much time with his friends to make the songs come to life and being creative with them during the recording process. His favorite song on the album is 93rd Route because it “scratches an itch and builds from an intimate song to a crescendo, and even has some sing-along parts! Also the word route rhymes with now and I’m proud of that vocal decision.”
Steve will be joined by Richie on electric guitar, Keelan (all the way from Australia) on vocals and tambourine, Bev on bass, Ray on drums, and Tae on keys. Opening for Steve Rondo are Surfing for Daisy who Steve found on TikTok, and Danny Curtis who is a Boston-based favorite.
“This time at Brighton Music Hall feels different because this album is the most cohesive my music has felt and I have a story to tell. I want the audience and listeners to this album to believe that growing pains and trials and tribulations are all part of the process and that they’ll get you to where you want to be.” Steve would love it if you learn the gang vocals (the ooohs, aaahs, and other anthem moments) of Yuppie Boys, 93rd Route, and East 8th so you can sing along. So, listen to the album, learn the lyrics, and come out to Brighton Music Hall on May 31st and get ready to have a fun night with Steve Rondo!