Yes, it's official. I am no longer a Barenaked Lady. After twenty years (plus a few months), I'm heading out on my own. I'm really excited about all the opportunities coming my way: I have an album's worth of songs and will be putting together a new solo album on top of the work I'm doing for this year's Stratford Festival, and a studio recording I did with The Art of Time Ensemble, which will be released later this year with a tour to follow. You can click here to hear what we did live last June.
Blogger, Facebook, Twitter. Anything else I should do? Is Myspace dead?
Stay tuned and I'll keep you updated.
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Good luck with your solo ventures, Steve. Facebook and Twitter are the obvious ones right now, but it's always good to keep a myspace too. Bebo is on the rise too - maybe sign up for one of them. Hope you're well!
ReplyDeleteWhile I'm incredibly sad over this whole thing, I'm also proud of you for going in your own direction. I will always be a big fan of yours no matter what you do :)
ReplyDeleteSteve,
ReplyDeleteI am happy for your new adventure. I am a huge fan who enjoys your music. I know that the Barenaked Ladies will miss you and I will still follow them too. This is a fresh start for you and you are going to rock it. Check out my blog if you get a chance, it is pretty funny most of the time. Hey you even have a mention... not in a stalker kind of way LOL!http://showingoffmyassets.wordpress.com
Good luck to you.
ReplyDeleteMan, I'm torn. I'm happy that you're excited about your new opportunities, but I'm also pretty bummed out that you're leaving BNL. Y'all's music pretty much saved my life about 10 years ago, so I'm always going to hold it close to me.
ReplyDeleteI'm sad to hear the news that the Barenaked Ladies I've followed for the last 12 years will no longer be, but I truly hope this is a positive and uplifting move for you. All the best to you in your new endeavors! Sending wishes for at least another 20 years of fantastic music from you.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes, Steven.
ReplyDeleteSteve, I love Barenaked Ladies, but I have to admit that after you made The Vanity Project I knew you were meant to be a solo artist ... TVP just felt right ... It felt real ... And I know we'll see more of that to come. I have faith that you guys made the best decision both for you and for the band. I can't wait to hear your new tunes. God bless.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to ya, Steve!
ReplyDeleteAnd hey.. try Livejournal. ;)
I don't know which emotion to feel first. I wish you the best, Steve, and I will always be a fan: band, solo, or otherwise. It won't be the same, but that's why they call it "change," right?
ReplyDeleteWow! I'm also torn but wish you all the best. I've been a BNL fan since the yellow tape days and will continue to support each of you whether as a group or individually.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear your new music!
All I can say is good luck.
ReplyDeleteYou don't need to devote alot of time to Myspace but you should still have one - people expect it. If someone says hey you should check out this new band the first thing I do is check for a Myspace so I can listen to a few of their songs. I know that Facebook / New Music Canada etc will also let you do that but Myspace has kind of become a habbit (for music and only for music).
ReplyDeleteI wish you the best in the future, Steve. I was lucky enough to see the last BNL show that you were in. Many of us wondered if it was going to be that way, and I'm sad that we were right. I'll keep watching and listening for your work. I'm sad that an era is ending, but eveyrthing does, and maybe what comes next will be excellent.
ReplyDeleteWow. This is huge. I feel sorry for the Ladies... they're going to have a hard time being so damn good without you. I'm looking forward to your new music already!
ReplyDeleteI was at the last BLAM tour night in Glasgow, and I can honestly say it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Here's to more great experiences to come.
ReplyDeleteFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
ReplyDeleteWell a blogspot is nice. A myspace would be cool too.
I don't understand twitter and facebook is for jerks.
Also are BNL just going to stop playing the songs you wrote/sing in and shit? Because that is, you know, a whole lot of them.
Wow. Well, I am excited for you and a bit bummed on a selfish level - a level I, frankly, spend a great deal of time operating on - as I had intended to take my two daughters, now old enough at nine and five to really enjoy you, to a BNL show sometime in the very near future. While I realize I still can, I also realize, as do you surely, that it won't be the same!!! You're a fabulous showman, singer, and artist and I look forward to seeing more work that you do.
ReplyDeletesteve -- very sad to learn of your leaving the band but absolutely hope for the best for you going forward. i hope you'll update this blog frequently so we know what's going on with you and your career. i help run a shakespeare camp for kids in MA and last year we did "as you like it" hippie style. we didn't use your music (the kids actually wrote their own!) but they totally LOVED listening to the CD and loved your interpretations of the song. if you're ever in Salem MA, look us up (www.rebelshakespeare.org)
ReplyDeleteanyway -- you're a big part of my heart, and cheers to you as you go forward. please create great art, and please ... be yourself and happy. blessings to you.
Good Luck Steven, stay open, honest and engaged with your fans, and you'll be fine. I for one have been following BNL since Gordon, so if the next 15 years were as good as the last 15, I'll be a fan well into our golden years...
ReplyDeleteSteven, I can honestly say you and the Ladies were one of the reasons I was so open to relocating to Canada (instead of dragging my wife out of Richmond Hill to the U.S.). I figured if all Canadians were as funny and open as you and the boys, how could I go wrong up here?
ReplyDeleteOkay ... Strange Brew played a part, too.
I can only hope your solo endeavors turn out as well as my new life has. Good luck in the future -- we'll see you at a show sometime soon, I'm sure.
P.S. -- MySpace? Dude, that's SO J.D. Fortune.
The news hurts. For over a DECADE I haven't hesitated when asked to name my fav band.
ReplyDeleteI'll get over it eventually...and look forward to consuming your musical output. Get busy! ...and have fun!
Steven,
ReplyDeleteBest of luck in the new direction, I'll be there with your solo material and BNL every step of the way.
It's a sad day ... but also a chance for a world of new opportunity as well.
Chris
Hey Steven,
ReplyDeleteMyspace is still good for music if you do it right-- lots of people still use it for that. The embedded player works well, you can throw up pictures a lot, and then get all sorts of friends to give you good wishes. Seriously-- seems to work ok. Photo-type-blogs seem to work well as just getting something regular out with not too much writing.
Good luck with the solo career, really looking forward to what you come up with.
I'm wishing you well, Steve. I've been listening to BNL for 10 years, since I was a kid; I grew up with your music. This feels very strange to me.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm looking forward to your solo projects--and whatever direction BNL takes in the future. :)
(And Twitter = awesome. You should check it out.)
Hi Steven,
ReplyDeleteyou're a great artist,
and it's your responsibility as such to
do ANYTHING in the world you wish to in the name of creating.
I'm in Ottawa, and not in Toronto to see(yet) any of the Art of Time Ensemble work you've done, but I know you're an original interpreter, and that songbook performance you did that I heard on CBC was really tremendous.
MYSPACE? - it's stil there and useful.... hahaha - If BARENAKED LADIES can add you as a " top friend" and keep you there, the throngs will find you.
It's been a long grand run with BNL and you've helped bring Canadian music to where it is right now on the world map, so continue being a great and honest artist and follow your bliss.
As soon as you start doing shows, we'll be there. Maybe you and Martin Tielli can do a cross Canada tour.
Come to Ottawa.
This country has your back.
Glenn Nuotio
I felt disappointed about the current situation at first, but then I remembered I liked The Vanity Project more than anything BNL has done in the past decade.
ReplyDeleteAre you going to accept your award for Snacktime! at the Junos together?
Im happy you are continuing to sing, im a huge fan of your voice. and even though i have only been a fan of BnL for a few years your music (combined) helped through a large depressing time in my life. and i would like to thank you for that. i also hope that in the future both you independent songs and the new BnL songs continue to help me through.
ReplyDeleteYou were the most important part of the "Ladies " to me, I am disappointed, and sad, but I have to follow your voice. I love your voice regardless, it's an addiction.
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fan of tumblr, myself...
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to know we'll still be hearing from you Steve. To be honest, I was really shocked and upset by the announcement. But ultimately, I'm sure this is the best choice for everyone. I'm looking forward to new and exciting stuff from you! (and perhaps a visit out west? pretty please?)
-Jess
The mark you've made on BNL will always be remembered. It's been a real pleasure listening to you jam with the guys for so many years, and best of luck in your solo endeavors!
ReplyDeleteTwo words: Natalie Merchant.
ReplyDeleteI will miss you with BNL but I'll follow your voice anywhere... You were my favorite "Lady."
ReplyDeleteI'm not happy about this. I'm trying hard to be a positive and supportive fan but I can't right now. I didn't realize how much emotional investment I had in this band that I've followed literally around the world.
ReplyDeleteThis band provided the soundtrack to my 20s and early thirties. Their music saw me through miscarriages, deaths, births, new houses, graduations, operations, etc. Now I'm being told that its not going to be there anymore. Sure, the old music is still there but no concerts or cruises. This band is so much more to me than a discography!
I know eventually I'll get to the "best of luck to you" part of grieving but not today. I'm just heartbroken and I need a hug. Its my birthday damnit!
Steven, I wish you the best in life and in your future musical endeavors. You are a true talent. We BNL fans will miss the Page/Robertson collaboration that is BNL. I am so thankful that I saw your last performance as a member of BNL on SDV. But I look forward to hearing new music from you. AND you will always be a Lady....just look at Andy...on SDV he was just as much a Lady as the rest of you =)And we loved it.
ReplyDeleteWell, I hope you're happy and best of luck to you. I, myself, am literally in tears.
ReplyDeleteIm sad to hear you're out of the band, but you're my fave singer and I cant wait to hear the songs you come out with! Im gonna miss the page/robertson era and the band wont be the same without you. Im still gonna support you and bnl to the fullest though! Good luck with your life and career!
ReplyDeleteSteven, there is www.tbd.com as well for those of us over the age of 'ack' 40 LOL. I wish you well on your solo career. I have been a fan since Gordon came out, and when my family and I moved to Texas , my daughter introduced her school to BNL and you and the band were a hit.
ReplyDeleteCongrats! And I am so appreciative of all of the comments here -- you guys were my first concert at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton anout oh... a million years ago)17?). Thank you for the many years of good listens!
ReplyDeleteAll the best Steve.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm feeling a lot like some others here. BNL are my favourite band (and still are) so the idea of them not being 'whole' is quite upsetting. Quite selfish of me as it's your life and career but I'm only human.
I kept wanting to go and see you all but whenever you came over to the UK I was busy, poor or busy and poor. Ships and Dips was always a little too much and a little too far as well. I'd sworn though recently that next time I would go. I'm still going to, and I'm sure I'll still enjoy it, but I can't help but feel I've missed out.
Anyways, moping aside, I hope things go well. I'm sure if your solo work is anything like The Vanity Project they will. I love 'Wilted Rose'. Even despite failing miserably at learning how to play it on tin whistle!
I'm hoping though, that a reunited BNL at some point in the distant future is a possibility!
Good luck on your new path. I am looking forward to following your career. I am a proud fan!
ReplyDelete-Kelly
Hey Steve,
ReplyDeleteI can't deny that I cried when I found out the news - I've been a BNL fan since I was 10 (and I'm 26 now!) but I want you to be happy too. I am glad I got to attend Ships'n'Dip, and it sucks that the Ottawa concert in Dec. ended up getting cancelled - but I look forward to seeing what both you, and Ed, Ty, Kevin and Jim end up bringing us out of this.
Good luck!
Ps...definately get twitter. and facebook!
Hey Steven,
ReplyDeleteWhile I did run into you like five times inside of two hours on the first night of the cruise, I neglected to try to get any kind of autograph from you on my guitar, rather, I had Renee and Frank deliver a Star of David Shaped guitar pick I fashioned out of two triangle picks.
Hope you like that..
Just to let you know, I never sold the Guild. I don't think I shall now. You advised me on getting it and I think I just might need it this year as I'm trying to "self produce" - something about which I know nothing.
I'll comment on your other post here too, but I wanted to at least say something. My other comment will be more pertanent...
Cheers from California,
Lewis
This will take some time to get over.
ReplyDeleteListening to BNL songs now, is like smelling the clothes of a loved one who has died...
Dear Steven,
ReplyDeleteI am one of the fans that is truely grieving- and I have so much that I would like to write and my wish is that you will read this and know how much you are loved. Loved as much as a fan can love you that is. I'm not a dirt digger and I know little about your personal life-all I know is that you have an amazing voice, you can write heartfelt and real lyrics, and weather you know it or not, you were supportive through song and witty banter along with your "brothers" through all that life has so far brought me through.
I don't know how to thank you. I wish I knew how to convey my feelings through this keyboard, I wish that you could feel how sincere I am as I write to you and thank you for all that you have contributed to my life through song.
I have no idea what you are thinking or feeling right now and it is selfish to focus on how this change is effecting me, but it is what I know. Ed can try to sing some songs in a lower key. I am enjoying The Vanity Project and looking forward to what is next. I know the future is exciting, but I do, as silly as it sounds, need a little time to grieve.
Again, I hope you can read this and feel this love- not a psycho love, but a kinship kind of love when you know that your words are being listened to a felt by someone you will never know. k, I tried to convey as much as I could. Now I don't want the responsibility of proving it's important.
I know I'm not the only one who loves you only as a fan can-thank you, and I look forward to getting to know you in a "true-er" way. :)
Steve, I'm sad about this news, but I also want you to know I LOVE The Vanity Project and I always thought your voice needed a broader audience. I would love to see you in theater. I didn't get to on this ship this year, but from the pics I've seen you look HOT! Can't wait to see you in person again!
ReplyDeleteSteve - "I live with it everyday,"
ReplyDeleteI listen to BNL every single day and you will be in my heart always. I wish I could have met you guys as a team, I was planning on going on the next Ships and Dips tour.
However, I did enjoy your Vanity Project CD and I look forward to hearing more from you. Your voice is amazing. As a lit student, I'm proud of you trying out theatre. Your voice is operatic.
Steve, I've been a fan of The Barenaked Ladies my entire life. My first favourite songs from a young age were all from Gordon. I've always maintained that BNL were my favourite band, bar none. However, you have always been my favourite, and it really won't be the same. I keep thinking of all of my favourite songs you sing, and how my dream of seeing the Ladies in concert again just won't happen. I've been in mourning the last few days.
ReplyDeleteI loved The Vanity Project, and I will definetly follow you whatever you decide to do next. Your beautiful voice and songwriting skills will be missed in BNL, but full albums of your work are what I have to look forward to.
I'm grateful for being able to see you perform in Victoria in 2007, and I hope you return to BC and play again soon!
Hi. I was recalling with my brother, the time that you ended up in a charlottetown, PEI hospital after cancelling a show on the Gordon tour. Something throat related i think? Anyhow,
ReplyDeletethe radio station interviewed you from your hospital bed and played the whole record. I wondered if you remember that.
take care. I respect your courage.
Hi Steve -
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I were so bummed to hear the news. The Ladies won't be the same without you! We were fortunate to see BNL live a couple times in Winnipeg and it made us even bigger fans.
We wish you all the best, both personally & professionally. I love your voice.
Steve,
ReplyDeleteI was lucky enough to get to meet you and the band in 2006 at UMASS in Amherst. I always dreamt of meeting you, and when I did, I couldn't get the words out quite right. What I want to tell you is that as sad I am about all of this, I also saw it coming. You did warn us with songs like "Running Out of Ink" and "Celebrity". I could tell your heart was wavering. However, you are truly bigger than BNL, and I do believe that BNL may have kept you from being the star you should be. Most Americans only have a vague understanding of your work, as we tend to make a lot of assumptions. Many of your songs have touched my heart in a big way, and I will follow you no matter where you go. So, from my family to you, we wish you the best of luck and all the success in the world.
Mark G.
Steve,
ReplyDeleteI wish you the best in your endeavors. I can't say that I'm not sad to hear that you've left the band. I can't tell you how much the music the band performed changed my life. But, one of the things that made the music the best was that it never apologized for being what it was. It never catered to the wants or whims of those who would criticize it. It was what it was. . . music for the sake of music.
And that's what it has to continue to be, for you and for the remaining members of BNL. I hope each entity continues to be successful and keep making music for its own sake. And I hope some day, I'll see you all together again doing what you all do so well.
-Morgan
Good luck Steve,
ReplyDeleteYour style of music is truly unique. Listeners can just tell you're having a great time and you're not out rehashing the old or just going through the motions to get back to the tour bus like lots of other bands. No matter what you do, keep that spirit going! Looking forward to seeing your future projects!
You have no idea how often I have thought of you, how I related to War on Drugs, and how defensive I get when people make ignorant, clueless comments. I blogged about you the Summer of 2008 and Friday. I went to the Orlando BNL concert last night and people were yelling "we want Steve!!!" The group dedicated a song to you, something about "I miss your voice each morning". I won't ever go see them again. YOU were BNL. Please read the entry I wrote about you at http://believeingrace.blogspot.com/. You are my hero. I will elaborate more in a private email. At any rate, you are in my daily thoughts and prayers ever since last summer.
ReplyDeleteI was so overcome with emotion when I heard the news. I found myself openly weeping. It's great you're going solo, and I support everything that you do.
ReplyDeleteThis makes me so sad man... I'm glad at least I got to see you guys last year at the Rama
ReplyDeleteSteve, I know I'm flattering myself to think that you will actually have time to sort through all of your fan mail and actually read this but I have been a long-time fan of die-hard proportions and you are the reason that i loved BNL. All the guys are great, but everyone who knows me knows that i am a Steven Page fan.
ReplyDeleteListen, I'm putting together the funding for an indie film, did I hear right that you are interested in getting into acting, too? Do you have an agent? If not, I would still love to work with you -it would be like a dream come true.
Best fortunes be with you in your new ventures. I've been a fan of the Vanity Project and will continue to follow as a Steven Page fan!
Peace,
Joe
While we will miss you as a Lady, we'll enjoy you as YOU, and that's surely good enough for all of us! We anxiously await what you have to offer!
ReplyDeleteI still think a myspace would be good, it's an easy promo tool...you can always use that to direct people to you twitter, blog, or facebook. I run one for my friend who is a musician, and we get a lot of traffic still. (the crazy thing is he left his band whom he was a founding member of and went solo too)
ReplyDeleteSteve- My former 17 year old self thanks you for the inspirations and daydreams of singing onstage with you. The 29 year old me thanks you for the knee-buckling voice, the voice that makes me weak, and for the hotness that you are. You are an incredible talent and so yummy. You've always been on my list.
ReplyDeleteI will always be a fan. I love your work and although, I will miss the chemistry you have with Ed, I am sure you will both do fine. I am looking forward to the Art of Time release. It is awesome. I enjoy the Vanity Project and anxiously await the release of your next album. I think you are a very talented sonwriter and musician and will continue to follow you no matter the path your career takes. I wish you well in your personal life also.
ReplyDeleteYou leaving BNL is like Lennon leaving the Beatles. I wanted to see you guys in concert again so badly. this is cold to fans man. I still love you and your music though, you're one of the main reasons I became a singer.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy your writing Steven.
ReplyDeleteI am sad about the split, but I hope you find happiness in whatever you get up to. Please do come back to Europe some time to perform for us. I will be there.
Glad to see you're coming to Vancouver Island this summer - Vancouver Island Music Fest (www.islandmusicfest.com), July 10 to 12 in the beautiful Comox Valley. You'll have a blast! Have you ever been to the Comox Valley? To Vancouver Island?
ReplyDeleteSteve all the best You're like a fine wine and can only get better with time. Wish you everything and happiness. Would love to have you on our Board of Directors.
ReplyDeleteWilliam Bowley
Audio Flyer Broadcasting
(vidflyers)
helping schools raise thier voice
Breaking up is always hardest on the kids... kids=us
ReplyDeleteGood luck man.
Steve. I am looking forward to what you have in store for us next. Always a fan, Ed Sem.
ReplyDeleteI am so totally bummed right now, like no idea. :( I wish you luck though!
ReplyDeleteI'm thrilled to hear this! I've always had a strong preference to your writing and vocals, and am super stoked to hear the solo stuff. Are you coming over to Vancouver this summer/fall? I'd love to catch a glimpse of what's in store!
ReplyDeleteFan-tastically,
Clintyn U.
Been a BNL devotee ever since I caught them playing live on TV in the middle of the night in the UK on The James Whale Radio Show. Thought they were just brilliant and then a month or so later, literally stumbled over a copy of Gordon in a record shop which was stacked just behind the copy of The Beach Boys Greatest Hits which I was buying!
ReplyDeleteSince that day I have never hesitated in responding to the question - Best band in the world? BNL without a doubt. The songs and the ambience in the band have always been wonderful but when pushed I have always said that it was your voice that really did it for me.
Michael Jackson has died but I have only just found out about this split. This means way more to me - way more. It's truly the end of an era I feel - now BNL were the best band in the world. I hate that use of the past tense.
However much I wish you luck that's just a code for sort out your problems, get your life on track and reconcile your problems with the rest of the boys and get back together.
How does the saying go? People sometimes compare challenges to the airplane speech: something like "secure your oxygen mask before assisting the passenger sitting next to you."
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine the change was painless, and I don't have to. Been a fan of your work all my life, and I will continue to be.
Glad I got to see you perform at the Fox Theatre at New Year's, I only wish I could have withstood the cold to thank you and tell you it was a great show in person.
Adieu!
I've been an american BNL fan since 1995, and I've been in love with the music since then. I can remember whole weekends spent listening to Gordon, jamming with my brothers to Stunt, and a great moment recently when me and my brother Scott sang Million Dollars at karaoke together.
ReplyDeleteNow I was worried as all hell back when the drug charges first came up, and then I felt relief when they were dropped, but I never heard about you leaving the band! Steve, you're one of the most recognizable faces of BNL! Your talents brought these songs to life and what got me hooked on your music!
I don't know for sure what happened, or why you split, but really Steve, its not going to be the same BNL without you. I wish you luck on your new pursuits, and hopefully maybe you can come back and play with BNL again.
Sincerely yours,
Chris Aguiar
Wow.. I've had a busy year I guess. I am just finding out about your leaving BNL, Steve.. Took me a few days to get over the shock, but I know that everyone has their OWN life to live. I wish you the best! You are AWESOME! BNL will not be the same without you, but I will still follow them, and you. Love ya always no matter what you do. You changed my life at a time when I needed it the most..
ReplyDeleteI know that your solo career will be awesome, but I have to be honest when I say that I really hope that you make special appearances with BNL at concerts.
ReplyDeletei saw you at Brock last night...felt sorry for you. Was a fan of BNL but what i saw you reverted to last night was a little embarrasing. when you can't fill a 200 seat room performing the dreck you did you really shouldn't hold out much hope for future solo projects. half of the 150 or so people who attended were in their late 50's so i hope you launch your solo album on vinyl. Jane Sibbery cover? My aunt Doris wrote a song with banjo accompanyment, maybe you can cover that at a future show...you owe me $50 plus gas, parking and expenses...I'll cover dinner.
ReplyDeleteFrank - send me an invoice and I'll write you a cheque, as long as you promise never to come to another show again. Please send along a copy of your aunt's song - I'd love to hear it. Thanks for trying out the show anyway. All the best.
ReplyDelete