Tag: The Nines

Power Popaholic Interview: The Nines (Steve Eggers)

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The Nines (Steve Eggers)

Canadian Power Pop Master Steve Eggers (The Nines) Talks “Echoes of Past Future”
In this exclusive interview, I sit down with Steve Eggers, the creative force behind The Nines, to dive deep into his brand-new album Echoes of Past Future — a stunning collection that feels like it was unearthed straight from the golden era of 1970s pop and rock.
Steve opens up about the songwriting process, his favorite recording techniques, and how he managed to capture that authentic vintage warmth that defined artists like The Beatles, Todd Rundgren, and 10cc. We talk about the gear, the mindset, and the creative philosophy that makes this album sound like a lost classic — yet still fresh and emotionally resonant today.
🎧 Listen to “Echoes of Past Future” here
🎶Read the album review here

The Nines and Kevin Robertson

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The Nines

The Nines “Echoes of Past Future”

It’s been too long, but The Nines have returned at last. Steve Eggers with some help on drums from Bill Majoros records an alternative universe 1970s-era album using vintage Tascam and Yamaha consoles. He succeeds in getting that vintage sound, and there is no denying Eggers songwriting and compositional talent, even through lo-fi speakers.

Starting with “Give Your Heart Away,” it’s a solid, catchy gem with layered harmonies. And his familiar Jeff Lynn style returns for “Summer’s Never Been The Same.” For those who remember listening to a worn cassette tape, the fidelity is eerily accurate, especially on the psychedelic jam “Open Book.” The songs are so good here, you’ll be clamoring for more, like “Hit The Ground Running.”

“Sailor Girl” and “You Get By” are brilliantly period accurate and very memorable. “Away from You” is a worthy spiritual successor to 10cc’s “I’m Not In Love.” The soulful pop of “How did we get it all so wrong?” feels like a different album, and is that actually sung by a different duo? Steve tells me it’s studio trickery to change his voice. Wow! Not every idea here is fleshed out musically, but the ones that do, make this album another highly recommended Nines album.

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“Kevin

Kevin Robertson “Yellow Painted Moon”

Kevin Robertson (The Vapor Trails) has quickly produced a prolific collection of albums, and his latest treads familiar ground. ‘Yellow Painted Moon’ starts with the jangling gem “We Found the Summer,” a song with echoes of classic bands like The Byrds, America, and Neil Young. The album follows this template and with “Message of Love,” it gets into a very relaxed groove.

“Of the Night” is equally enjoyable with its Western harmonic touches and harmonies. Another gem is “Traveling Band,” with a really sweet Rickenbacker rhythm that gives way to a wicked solo break. Fans of The Beau Brummell’s will really enjoy that one along with “Quicksand,” which sounds like a lost track from that band. Robertson’s rich melodies and charming approach set a great mood on “Feelings Show,” a catchy folk-rock tune. Overall, a really good album that deserves repeat listens. For the fans, he’s got a group of alternate bonus tracks in a separate album. Highly Recommended.

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The Nines and FaB

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The Nines

The Nines “Reflections”

Steve Eggers (aka The Nines) returns with his most wistful and solemn album to date. The Nines balladry has often compared to Jeff Lynne, David Gates, or Paul McCartney. Sung and played in his home studio with guitar and piano this album starts with a gem, “Don’t Believe in Destiny” a slow simple expression of sadness that swells to orchestral levels. Dealing with loneliness is the theme here and “Breathe in, Breathe out” contemplates the moment after trauma. Like a diary, the “Song For Red” asks for a fresh start, and the acoustic “Angeline” is a heartfelt folk song with a compelling dual vocal track.

Most of the songs after this are short sketches in under two minutes; the jealous lament at the bar in “I Almost Lost You” or the harpsichord “She Is Waiting” with some sweet harmonies. It would’ve been nice to flesh out some of these a bit more, but the melodic sketches do go in interesting directions like “Linda,” where it starts pretty standard and takes a wonderful detour into Harry Nilsson land. Worthy of repeat plays and highly recommended.

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FaB

FaB “This Wicked Pantomime”

This is an interesting offering from Kool Kat Musik. UK bandmates Neil Fitzsimon and Bee Brogan from Pretty Blue Gun are joined by drummer Woody Woodmansey (David Bowie) and Pete Thomas (Elvis Costello) to create “FaB.” The style is hard to pin down, but the group has a wide range of influences from The Beatles, Elvis Costello, Jimmy Webb, Jacques Brel, The Smiths, and David Bowie.  

It takes a few spins to stick with you. Bee Brogan has a very distinct voice and on several tracks, it’s suits the material perfectly, like “Lost Love of the Pixie Girl” with a wonderfully catchy chorus. The bending bass line on “Desolate Angel” builds a sublime new wave ballad and the twisted adult nursery rhyme of “Elsie’s Last Stand” is another standout. The oft-kilter chords on “Seven Seconds of Summer” and the title track recall Martin Newell at his wistful best.

In several cases, the material is a little too ambitious for Bee’s vocal (“A Bullet for Cinderella,” “The Tears of Scarlet Murder”) but the songs are still fascinating. Overall, this is definitely a unique offering that deserves your attention. Check it out.

Kool Kat Musik

The Nines and Marcus Goodwin

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The Nines

The Nines “Shipwrecked (Eggers Songbook Vol 1)”

Steve Eggers (aka The Nines) continues to musically explore and follow his muse on this collection that references the mythology of 70’s California. The ear-worm simplicity of “Don’t Ever Lose Control” is a classic Nines confidence-boosting inner monologue. The Stevie Wonder styled clavinet on “Give to Get (Night Confusion)” has an easy-going groove. And you hear a definite lean towards Pretzel Logic-era Steely Dan on “Danielle (You Know it’s True)” and “Valley of No Return.”

“Making It Better” is another effortless pop gem that sticks hard and fast, and its one of the catchiest songs here.  The orchestral 70’s pop stands out, “Take The Chance” and “When You’re Ready” are also big highlights. While ballads are usually an area of Eggers strength, they fail to draw much emotion until the solemn “Old Refrain.” But there is so much good music here, and I can’t wait for Vol. 2! Highly Recommended.

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Marcus Goodwin

Marcus Goodwin “The Slow Age”

Marcus Goodwin was the guitarist for one of the greatest power pop bands in Australia, Ice Cream Hands. From the late ’90s until 2007 they were known for crisp guitar melodies and wonderous harmonies. And then the bandmates went their separate ways for the following decade. Now with the  20th anniversary of the Not Lame favorite Sweeter Than The Radio, the band got back in the studio to work on a new album. Goodwin originally released this solo LP in 2000, but it’s new to me.

We’ve covered bandmember Charles Jenkins before, but Goodwin’s solo sounds more like Ice Cream Hands. If you aren’t familiar, just think of an Aussie version of Squeeze meets Crowded House.”The Perfect Song” picks at that nostalgia scab and delivers a bittersweet gem for the ears. “Turn It Over” faces the fear of growing old, and “The Brain Wash” is a tight bass-led melody that just grooves along. The guitar roars on the too-short “She Hates Cars,” and “Old Man Parker” is another memorable gem (related to Mean Mr. Mustard, no doubt.) While not everything sticks, this is a welcome return and will appeal to fans far and wide. Check it out! Thanks, Scotty!

Pop Boomerang

The Nines and Dave Keegan

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The Nines

The Nines “Colour Radio (American Transistor)”

Steve Eggers (aka The Nines) is back in pop music mode. Joining Steve again is Bill Majoros (the Foreign Films) on guitar as they deliver a diverse selection of styles. Eggers style has always been influenced by ELO, and on “Crazy Little Girl” he almost copies the intro to “Do Ya” but goes in a heavier direction with a rougher vocal. It still has the catchy multi-tracked chorus, but sounds closer to The Move with Majoros fuzzy flourishes. Much more familiar is “Maybe If You Stayed”  with its sweet melody line and Steve sounding wistful as ever, even as he climbs into falsetto. And the lovely “For a Lifetime” is a piano lullaby reminiscent of Gershwin.

It’s everything Nines fans love, but Steve goes in different directions to keep things fresh. “On and On She Gets By” is a fun musical number about a girl, done with a barroom styled piano, harmonica, and a strutting synth line following a Randy Newmanesque lyric. Steve also goes funky with a Stevie Wonder-styled Moog Clavier and goes all in on “You Can Get More Than This” and  “Don’t Be Losing Your Game.” Not everything sticks, and there are amounts of so-so filler to keep the “radio” theme (like we never heard The Who’s “Sell Out”?) However there is more than enough to make this album highly recommended. Includes the holiday single “Believe In Christmas.”

CD Baby

Dave Keegan

Dave Keegan “Dave Keegan”

Englishman Dave Keegan is a former Elvis impersonator, almost became a Cambridge University teacher, and somehow dived into making this album at his home studio. But this doesn’t sound like a casual DIY setup. “Hello” is fuzz and reverb-drenched gem with Keegan’s crisp vocals, very much in the mould of The Posies.

Like many creative souls, he is simply compelled to make music, and sing about it on the very auto-biographical “Under Your Skin,” about “just a fan” knowing The Beatles “by heart / every note / every bar / every glorious part of their golden reign.” Next comes “Fizzbomb” leading with an infectious guitar riff, and the folksy English “Harbour City Blues.” Keegan’s vocal style is like Glenn Tilbrook (Squeeze) or Nick Lowe in spots. Another highlight is the bouncy “Get Me A Girl” with its optimistic breezy melody. The acoustic compositions dominate on the album’s second half, with the impressive “Out of Tune” as a great mood piece, but some of the slower tunes feel more like sketches here. Overall a fine debut from a talent I hope we hear more from in the future.

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