Courtyard Concert Series | Steve Liddell & Friends

Singer/songwriter Steve Liddell is among Tulsa’s most active musicians. You’ve probably heard him solo or with a  band at such disparate venues as farmers’ markets, the Tuesday food truck gathering at 13th and Boston, the Penthouse Bar at the Mayo Hotel, The Hunt Club, Soundpony or The Shrine, where you might also find him behind the bar or running sound. With tinges of reggae, jazz and Latin rhythm, Liddell’s soulful blend of rootsy folk and rock adds toe-tapping groove to any setting and chills out even the hottest summer days. At his recent appearance in our Courtyard Concert Series, we talked about sweet addictions, Cellar Dweller’s clientele and the joy of flea markets.

Best way to spend a Saturday: Well of course I get up and watch Saturday morning cartoons and get a big bowl of cereal. I like to go out to the flea markets. It’s a little nerdy. I got these boots at the flea market. Ten bucks, man! Just put a little oil on them and they’re good.

Three albums I’d need on a desert island: Jeff Buckley: Mystery White Boy, Regina Spektor: Soviet Kitsch, Redman: Muddy Waters. But I might change those tomorrow.

Favorite local venue to play: I like The Hunt Club. It’s an outdoor deal, there’s plenty of seating and people can look down on the stage from above.

Currently listening to: I’ve got Happy Mondays in the CD player. My iPod kinda goes on a schizophrenic shuffle. So it might go from Frente! to Mastodon to Al Green. I just let it go.

Favorite local hangout: Cellar Dweller’s cool. It’s like the roulette wheel. You never know who’s gonna be down there—different people coming in for different shows and whatnot, flight attendants hanging out, just a gamut of different patrons. And I like hanging out in the 18th and Boston area. I go back and forth between Shrine, the wine bar [Vintage 1740], Mercury—that triangle. It’s pretty chill over there. Lots of patio space; everything’s outdoors. You can look at the beautiful Tulsa skyline and fall in love all over again.

People might be surprised to know: I may or may not have a problem with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. It’s a thing. I’m sure there’s worse things. But it’s a sweet thing.

Best Tulsa show ever: Ryan Adams, the first time he came to the Brady. Had killer seats in the balcony with no one in front of us. Sounded great. Afterwards, we go to Lola’s, when it was Lola’s bar. I go to order a beverage, and I see Ryan Adams. So I go up and say, “Hey man, can I get you a drink?” And he says, “Oh no thanks, we’re just drinking coffee.” I had totally forgotten he was on the wagon. It’d be my luck, I get Ryan Adams drunk and then his tour goes off the rails, thanks to this guy in Tulsa. But it was a really good show. 

Music is: Life. Like that gust of wind. It’s cheesy, but it’s all music. Rhythm. The heartbeat. It’s the first thing you hear before you’re even born, and you get addicted to that. 

For more from the Voice's Courtyard Concert Series, watch Desi and Cody, Rachel La Vonne and Brian Payne or David Hernandez.