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Steve Poltz | Daniel RodriguezSteve Poltz | Daniel Rodriguez at Lulu's Downtown on April 16th, 2025!
Doors at 7pm
Show at 8pm
All Ages
Steve Poltz
It might’ve even been last night, but Steve Poltz just played the greatest show of his life. Guess what? The next show will be even greater, making that show the greatest show of his life.
Are you starting to notice a trend?He isn’t shy about it either.
Even after most likely thousands of shows (but who’s counting?), he hits the stage with the same amount of energy and always makes sure to declare, “This is the greatest show of my life.”
It’s why he’s quietly emerged as the kind of live phenomenon celebrated passionately by a diehard fanbase worldwide and renowned as a festival favorite everywhere from Bluesfest in Byron Bay and High Sierra Music Festival in California and Telluride Bluegrass Festival in Colorado to Cayamo Cruise (where he actually got married). It’s why his music has crept into pop culture via collaborations with everyone from Jewel and Billy Strings to Molly Tuttle, Sierra Hull, Nicki Bluhm, Oliver Wood, and even the late Mojo Nixon. It’s why after over a dozen albums, he’s still creatively firing on all cylinders and critically acclaimed by the likes of Rolling Stone, Associated Press, Billboard, and many more.
Nevertheless, the next gig will be the greatest show for him (and maybe for you too)…
“I started doing it years ago, because I feel grateful to still be alive,” he notes. ”Even today, I still do it, and I believe my own bullshit. I convinced myself that every show is the greatest show I’ve ever played. They’re all different, and it depends on my mood each day, but I know I’m there to entertain people. It always cracks me up when I stumble into some sort of weird thing that’s handed to me like a gift from the freaky deadly heavens above.”
Steve might as well be “a gift from the freaky deadly heavens above” himself. He was born in Nova Scotia—Halifax, to be exact. Somewhere along the way, he began his relationship with the guitar at six-years-old. “We’re joined at the hip and lip and it’s always near my grip,” he affirms. He grew up in Los Angeles and Palm Springs (where he “met Elvis and Liberace”) and settled in San Diego (where he cut his teeth “under the tutelage of The Beat Farmers”).
He kicked off his musical journey in San Diego-bred underground favorites The Rugburns. However, the world got to know Steve when co-wrote two tracks from Jewel’s diamond-certified debut Pieces Of You, including the multi platinum Billboard Hot 100 #2 “You Were Meant For Me” (he’s also in the video). He delivered his own full-length debut One Left Shoe in 1998 and paved the way for an extensive solo catalog defined by what he calls “evocative lyrics mixed with positivity and traces of tragicomedy.”
If you so choose, you can trace his evolution from “Everything About You” (which popped up in Notting Hill) to the staple “Can O’ Pop”— christened “a fizzy delight” by Rolling Stone. The latter graced his 2022 album, Stardust & Satellites. Co-produced and created with The Wood Brothers, it garnered widespread acclaim. HOLLER. hailed it as “a wonderfully energized, often joyful and wryly provocative release from the charismatic Steve Poltz,” while No Depression dubbed it “poignant and ultimately uplifting.” Glide Magazine applauded how, “He takes chances like few others and seems to be increasingly more unconventional as he embraces Americana.”
Simultaneously, a myriad of artists continue to seek him out as a collaborator in the studio. Whether it be “Leaders” with Billy Strings or “Million Miles” with Molly Tuttle, he’s got dozens of cuts with various friends under his belt. He contributed two tunes to Deer Tick’s Emotional Contracts with frontman John J. McCauley going on to profess to Brooklyn Vegan, “Steve Poltz may be the biggest, most direct inspiration for me on this record.”
Steve adds, “Usually when these folks and many others come over to my house in Nashville we end up with something I love. I try not to overthink it. There are no rules. It’s kind of like fishing. You don’t catch anything if you don’t throw your rod in the water. So I guess I just try to be available for inspiration, mixed with perspiration and exasperation.”
Speaking of perspiration, he regularly travels far and wide to audiences of all ages and all continents most every day.
“I travel from town to town and fool people,” he grins. “I sing them songs and tell them stories and somehow they decide to pay money to obtain some merch and witness the spectacle. Then I return a year later and fool them again.”
In the end, Steve is probably gearing up for the greatest show of his life as you read this.
Thankfully, that will never change.
He signs off, “I’m just a weirdo, a freak, a bon vivant, a rounder, a rabble rouser, a workaholic, a people pleaser, an idiot and a grateful kid who ran away and joined the circus.”
Can we say it might just be The Greatest Show on Earth?!
Daniel Rodriguez
Daniel Rodriguez is a dynamic figure in the Americana psychedelic folk rock scene, crafting songs that resonate with depth, authenticity, and a touch of magic. Originally a founding member and key songwriter for Elephant Revival, he has since established a prolific solo career that transcends the roots of his musical beginnings. Known for penning Elephant Revival classics like "Birds and Stars”, Daniel embarked on a solo journey following the band's dissolution in 2018. His solo debut, the EP *Your Heart The Stars The Milky Way*, was released in 2019, marking a new chapter in his artistic journey. This was followed by his first full-length album, *Sojourn of a Burning Sun*, in 2020 under BMG Records, earning acclaim for its introspective songwriting and emotional depth.
Beyond the studio, Daniel has captivated audiences across North America, opening for The Lumineers during their BRIGHTSIDE World Tour in 2022, performing in sold-out arenas including a memorable homecoming in Denver before 40,000 fans. His collaborations have spanned genres and generations, sharing stages with notable artists such as Gregory Alan Isakov, Ben Harper, Jim James, Dispatch and John Craigie.
In December 2021, The Lumineers released a rendition of one of Daniel’s original songs as the darkly humorous Christmas song, "This is Life (Merry Christmas)," featuring Daniel Rodriguez. His latest album, *Vast Nothing*, released in March 2023, explores new dimensions of his sound, blending Americana folk with layers of psychedelic rock, creating an ethereal yet profoundly grounded experience. His lyrics weave a magical realism within the human experience, themes that resonate deeply with listeners.
Daniel’s sound is often likened to artists such as Iron & Wine, Josh Ritter, Jose Gonzalez and Gregory Alan Isakov, with whom he shares a commitment to lyrical depth and evocative storytelling. Today, Daniel leads his band, known for their unique blend of psychedelic folk rock and Americana, and continues to tour solo, offering intimate concerts that highlight his lyrical prowess and storytelling. Based in Colorado, his music echoes the untamed spirit of the Rocky Mountains—chill, humorous, and imbued with a gentle yet powerful essence that defines his style. Daniel Rodriguez's music is not just heard; it's experienced, creating unforgettable moments of connection and transformation.
Primarily celebrated for his artistry, Daniel has also ventured into music production, working with a select group of artists. His involvement in production, while more recent, showcases his ability to assemble skilled teams and guide the creative process to finely tune each project's sound. Daniel's thoughtful approach to production, focusing on enhancing and aligning with each artist’s vision, has gradually made him a respected figure in the production community. His contributions, though selective, reflect his deep understanding of music and his commitment to quality in every endeavor.
What’s Being Said About Daniel
“Former Elephant Revival member Daniel Rodriguez cements himself as a solo performer with the forthcoming album”
— Rolling Stone
“Rodriguez offers an arresting new batch of songs that meld his well-appreciated voice and lyrical prowess with his skilled musicianship. This comes as no surprise, following his more than a decade-long run as one of the founding members and lead songwriters of Elephant. ”
— Westword
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Lulu's Downtown, 32 South Tejon Street,Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States
Tickets
