Name, Age: Joshua Steffey, hmm … somewhere between “I have no retirement plan” and death. (Means 40s.)
Where from? Midwestern United States, the Milwaukee area for a while now.
Family & Pets: A life partner to grow old with and love for all time, our grown-ass daughter out making art in the world, and 3 cats with many interesting names.
Favorite artist: Goddess, how to answer this? I suppose I have to say John Coltrane.
Best label in the world: Oh, no idea, but it’s definitely artist-owned or artist-driven.
Best concert ever: No sé. I will say that I saw Vernon Reid & Masque once and they played “Strange Blessing” — my favorite song of theirs. It made me cry. I like the ecstasy of a concert.
Top Record of 2022: Universal Tonality by William Parker
10 Albums for the month-long-stay on the tiny island: Honestly, whatever I happen to be into with the changing seasons, and if my partner in crime is coming along there will be compromise. If we’re talking all time: 1. John Coltrane, A Love Supreme. “[T]hat is all / Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know”, as the poet said.
Best joke you always tell: When people ask me what I do, I usually say, “I’m a college teacher.” Fin.
Best Beyoncé song: “Run the World (Girls),” I guess. Or “Deadbeat Beyonce” by Snakeoil.
Favorite Drink: I like scotch, but they say it’s bad for me.
Most important piece of advice to tell your 20-year-old-self: Just do what you’re doing. Never regret being vulnerable. You have so much to learn and feel, so be open to it.
Your own text if you want to tell the world something else: Read lots of poetry, whatever kind: the full spectrum of love, nature, politics, philosophy, metaphysics, cats & dogs. Read lots and, now and again, try to live it.