Biography
Singer-songwriter Steve Gifford found his passion for music at the age of just nine, inspired by his father’s skiffle group background to pick up a few chords on the ukulele. By his teenage years Steve had moved on to the guitar, performing renditions of James Taylor, Joni Mitchell and Jackson Browne in cosy London folk clubs during the mid-70s.
Having worked continuously in the London music scene throughout the 80s, Steve took a short break from his musical career, only to come back with a bang in the form of his debut album, Cut and Run, released in 2002. Since then, Steve has released a total of six albums, with his seventh currently in the works – Patterns, set to release on the 2nd of February next year. His third and most critically acclaimed album, Boy On A Beach, saw its launch at a sell-out concert in the very same venue where Steve appeared as Shawn Colvin’s special guest a few months prior. His 2014 album, Beaudesert, was produced by Ben Walker, who subsequently won the BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for Best Duo with Josienne Clarke. Tracks such as Geordie Trawler Man and World in His Hands remain among Steve’s best-known songs.
Steve has built a reputation as both a headline performer and a respected support act. Over the years, he has had the immense joy of sharing stages with the likes of Shawn Colvin, The Strawbs, Lindisfarne, Carl Palmer and Ten Years After. He has headlined some of the UK’s best-known intimate venues, including Union Chapel, Soho’s The Borderline, The Musician, The Met, and The Stables in Milton Keynes, which saw the launch of two of his albums, as well as appearing at festivals such as Wychwood, Folk on the Green, Guildfest, and Weyfest.
Steve’s music combines the warmth and intimacy of acoustic melody with heartfelt observational lyrics drawn from real-life experiences. His influences range from the singer-songwriters he discovered in his early years – Neil Young, James Taylor, Cat Stevens, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Donovan, Jonathan Kelly, and Don McLean – to the more contemporary likes of Ray LaMontagne, Damien Rice and Josh Ritter, alongside iconic bands such as The Beatles, The Kinks, The Eagles, Tom Petty and Crowded House.
A move to Ramsgate five years ago brought a new chapter to Steve’s musical life. He first came to the town after being offered a gig there, and quickly fell in love with the local harbour and marina. It wasn’t long before he made Ramsgate his home. The pandemic meant an enforced break from live performances, which Steve, like many musicians, found difficult. When restrictions were lifted, he was determined to get back on the road and has since rebuilt a UK and international gigging schedule.
Steve toured the UK in 2023 and travelled through the Scottish Highlands in 2024, but one of his most memorable adventures came during 2025. Armed with an Interrail pass, a Roland Cube amplifier, a guitar on his back, and a few clothes in a rucksack, he set off across Europe, playing 12 gigs in 28 days across Holland, Denmark, Norway, Hungary and Italy. He describes the experience of repeatedly hopping on and off trains – around 30 times – as great fun, helped by the reliability of the European rail network.
Now based in Ramsgate, Steve continues to write, record, and tour, bringing together decades of experience with the enthusiasm of an artist still discovering new places, audiences, and stories. With the highly anticipated new album taking shape in the studio, the seventh chapter of Steve’s exciting musical journey is soon set to unfold.
Froots Music Magazine – “Gifted and well regarded Brit journey man singer songwriter”
The Sunday Telegraph – Beaudesert “The beautiful wilderness, crisp guitar playing and thoughtful earnest lyrics.”
Mojo Magazine – “Song writing with depth and wisdom. Producer Ben Walker (BBC Folk award winner) adds piano, guitar and mandolin.”
Net Rhythms – “Steve gives us a classy British spin on the open-hearted roots-rock template.”
