Hello all! Remember to get your limited Sweet Release merch at sweetrelease.itemorder.com/sale
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Hallelujah 6:130:00/6:13
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0:00/8:48
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My Family 4:030:00/4:03
“Like a surprisingly empathetic vulture soaring high above the chaos, the songs of Steve Hartmann swoop in unexpectedly—piercing just the right part of your heart with clarity, compassion, and a hard-won sense of peace. It feels less like he writes songs, and more like he coaxes them from the sky—wrangling emotion like a sonic circus master. His vocal range stretches effortlessly, calling to mind the most powerful moments of a My Morning Jacket anthem blasting through your car speakers on a long, thoughtful drive. There are hints of Jeff Buckley in his falsetto and phrasing, and his sonic palette draws as much from the experimental edge of Radiohead as it does the earthy pulse of Rusted Root. The result? Something completely original. Steve Hartman is more than a songwriter. He’s a poetic composer, a sonic scientist, a falconer of melody and meaning. With each track, he takes life’s harshest truths and molds them into something beautiful, purposeful, and deeply human. Part philosopher, part musical storm-chaser—Steve Hartmann isn’t just creating songs. He’s composing emotional weather.”
— Frank Viele
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“7/31/2020 was my first time to hear Steve Hartmann. What a gift. As soon as he began my body and spirit just relaxed. How would I describe his voice? Haunting.” - new fan
“I was blown away... speechless.”
— Livingston Taylor
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About
Bio
When asked to describe his music, Jericho Vermont based singer-songwriter Steve Hartmann usually hides behind the closest fan or friend to help him out despite his 30+ years making music. As with most singer-songwriters, he’s hesitant bordering on uncomfortable categorizing his sound, boxing it into a genre, or comparing himself to more readily familiar artists, but to provide a point of reference, his most flattering description was bestowed upon him by a fan after her first Steve Hartmann show. “You’re like the ‘grey’ between an acoustic Dave Matthews and Damien Rice; I wanted to dance one minute, cry the next, and in the moments in between, I couldn’t help but find myself gently swaying back and forth. I was captivated the whole time.”
Steve started playing classical piano at age 12. The agreement between he and his mother was that he agreed to pay for them, and she agreed to drive him to his lessons. That continued for 6 years. In the meantime, at age 15, Steve’s mother also taught him the three most important basic guitar chords every beginner should know: G, C, D… in that order. Steve took it from there, pulling lyrics from his journal and putting music to them like a soundtrack. For years, this was his process… how he dealt with his adolescence. He always felt better after a song was finished, but he knew this is what he wanted to do the first time
Like a lot of aspiring musicians, Steve found himself in the restaurant business early. He attended The Restaurant School of Philadelphia right out of high school and graduated with a culinary arts degree, and went on to be a chef, which enabled him to play most nights. In between carefully preparing Chateau Briand and escargot, he met bassist Drew Breder. They formed the band, Simon, named after one of Steve’s closest friends. They released their first EP; a live recording on cassette tape, called Live ’97.
In his mid 20’s, Steve took a leap of faith and applied, and was accepted, to Berklee College of Music. He moved to Boston where he was a piano principle and double majored in stage performance and songwriting. He met and was taught by the incomparable Livingston Taylor, where Taylor said, “I was blown away… I’m speechless”. During his time in Boston, Steve met 5 other musicians to help him carry on the Simon name… so much to the point, that fans started calling Steve, Simon. They recorded and released Simon’s first, and only, full length studio album called, Sweet Angel. They started gaining traction in the Boston, NYC, and Philadelphia areas, and were being scouted by major labels, but after about 4 years of touring relentlessly throughout New England and the greater Philadelphia tri-state area, Simon dispersed, and Steve went on as a soloist.
Steve moved to Colchester, VT to be closer to his then girlfriend who was from South Burlington. After getting a quick lay of the musical landscape in VT, Steve went right to work, winning The Advance Music Singer-Songwriter Contest. Since then, Steve has married, has had a son, released his first solo studio album called Waking Up the Echoes, won Vermont’s Original Music Competition, books talent for 2 of New England’s largest festivals, and continues to grow his musical community through his love of playing and writing.
“Sometimes, the life we dream of it tends to fall asleep”, Steve sings of the things we dared to dream we could be when we were kids. “And sometimes, in the faces we meet, you can hear them cry for sweet release”, Steve speaks to the hope we can find in the people we meet along the way… hope for us all, that we can still dream, and achieve, together.
Shows
Reduced merch pricing when purchased at live shows!
Previous events
LCES Presents, in partnership with Venetian Soda Lounge: Tod Pronto and Koa Phoenix with Special Guest Steve Hartmann
The Venetian Soda Lounge, 266 Pine Street, Suite #122 , Burlington, VT 05401
LCES artists Tod Pronto and Koa Phoenix take the stage in this double headlining event with special guest opener, Steve Hartmann! Proceeds go to benefit future LCES events. Storytelling, great tunes, tasty libations, and excellent company in a listening room environment... What more could you ask for on a Saturday night in Burlington, VT?! Join us!
$15.00
Steve and Frankie take the stage for the first time together! Frankie is co-headlining the GRAND POINT NORTH FESTIVAL the weekend before, sharing the stage with folks like Grace Potter, Jackson Brown, and Maggie Rose! This is NOT a show to miss!
$15
Steve takes the Sunshine Stage at Grand Point North for the first time! Come join him for an epic night of music! 8:15pm!
Steve Hartmann @ The Champlain Valley Fair
The Champlain Valley Fair, 105 Pearl St, Essex Junction, VT 05452
Steve returns to the largest state fair in Vermont! 2 shows - 3:30 and 5:45. Come grab a fried dough or bacon on a stick or whatever your pleasure is and enjoy it with some tasty tunes!
Steve returns to The Mountain to help raise funds and awareness for the New England Center and Home for Veterans - a non-profit with a mission of ending veteran homelessness in the North East. Come Ramble with us for an amazing cause. Address and details to come.
Finalists from the 2025 LCES singer-songwriter contest gather to play a Nashville in-the-round session recorded live with an in-studio audience at Tank Recording Studio! This will be covered over two different session, with 3 different artists per session. Tickets are per session, seats are limited, and a purchase link will be added as soon as it's available. Artists include: Andriana Chobot Blake Matteson Tod Pronto Koa Phoenix Andrew Lafrenz TBD
Steve returns to Maquam Barn and Winery in Milton, VT where the scenic views, delicious wines, tasty tunes, and delectable snacks are overflowing. Come spend a cozy Sunday afternoon taking in the sights and sounds of Summer where we're all friends and family! Entrance is free
Private House concert. If it becomes available to the public, we will post an address and how to get tickets.
Steve Hartmann - Patio Music Series
The Windjammer Restaurant and Upper Deck Pub, 1076 Williston Rd. , South Burlington, VT
Steve's back for an acoustic show at this newly imagined patio series at Windjammer! Steve has a few other shows this Summer, but this will be Steve's last show at this venue this season! Come out and enjoy delicious food, tasty libations, awesome company, and soulful music!
21 Songwriters Festival Vermont
14th Star Brewery and Black Radish Catering, 133 North Main Street St. , St. Albans, VT
Welcome to the 2nd annual 21 Songwriters Festival VT! A free music festival that has 21 songwriters, 2 stages, 3 artists perform a Nashville in-the-round style set (taking turns playing 2 songs each), alternating stages (once one stage is done, you go to the other where 3 different artists are ready to begin another set for you) until all 21 songwriters have played for you. A few workshops will begin the festival at noon. The music starts at 4pm. There will be a short after-hours jam while we break down! All this to help raise awareness and funds for the Lakeshore Community Event Series, a non-profit with a mission to create community and connection through food and music, hosting by-donation listening room concerts that are sustained through private and corporate donations, as well as holding a ticketed, limited seating, elevated family style dinner with the artist(s) before the concert. Join us for an amazing event for a great cause!
Steve Hartmann Live - The Patio Music Series
Windjammer Restaurant and Upper Deck Pub, 1076 Williston Rd., South Burlington, VT
The Windjammer Restaurant and Upper Deck Pub, innovates their staple steak and seafood restaurant patio into an acoustic listening room every Friday through the Summer from 4pm to 7pm! Join me over some delicious food, tasty libations, and groovy tunes!
LCES and Tank Recording Studio Presents: Frank Viele with Opener Steve Hartmann
Tank Recording Studio, 322 N Winooski Ave, Burlington, VT 05401
Lakeshore Community Event Series (LCES) and Tank Recording Studio (TRS) Presents an audience attended, in-studio recorded performance of Frank Viele with opener Steve Hartmann. This is a rare opportunity to get to be a part of a recorded in-studio concert experience with the artists! Ticket prices include entrance to the concert, and a recorded copy of the session! Additional details and ticket prices tbd.
Steve is playing a private, by invitation only, in Ferrisburgh VT. If you'd like to attend, please inquire at booking@stevehartmannmusic.com to get the address. Seats are limited and $35 per ticket. To purchase tickets, Venmo Steve-Hartmann-7, with "Ferrisburgh House Concert" in the subject.
Steve Hartmann makes his debut appearance at this wonderful listening room event space with delicious ciders, beers, libations, and food! Come hang out!
Venetian Soda Lounge Presents: Steve Hartmann
Venetian Soda Lounge, 266 Pine Street | Suite #122, Burlington, VT
Steve Hartmann returns for his sophomore headlining appearance to the Venetian Soda Lounge, an event space dedicated to providing a listening room concert environment. Entrance is by donation! SEATS ARE LIMITED. RESERVE YOUR SEAT NOW AT https://www.venetiansodalounge.com/event-details/steve-hartmann-live-listening-room-session Come out and enjoy some delicious libations, cozy atmosphere, and tasty tunes!
FREE!
Steve returns to this quaint intimate listening room in the heart of Calais, VT for an acoustic night filled with good food, awesome company, and delicious original tunes in anticipation of his first studio album in 13 years! Join us at 7pm! Admittance is free but seats are limited! Make your reservations at 802-229-4329
This event has been canceled. I postponement date will be be announced when we have one. Sorry for the inconvenience! Hope to see you soon!
Join us for Dinner and a Concert with Chad Hollister Trio, presented by Lakeshore Community Event Series (LCES) and Burlington Beer Company (BBCO). LCES is a VT based non-profit with a mission of creating community and connection through food and music. Dinner is by reservation only! Tickets include a specially curated multi-course, family style meal WITH the artist, beer pairing, pre-concert acoustic show for the diners only, limited seating to the dining portion of the event to ensure the most optimal environment for connection, and preferential seating to the concert before we open the show to the public, at which point, the concert only portion of the event is by-donation, to make it accessible to all no matter what your socioeconomic status. So come out, make connections, find your tribe, and enjoy the finest concert going experience you'll ever have! Welcome to the Lakeshore Community Event Series!
95.00
Steve returns to the Champlain Valley Fair to share one of the best 10 days of Summer! He'll be playing 3 separate sets throughout the day at 11:45am, 2:15pm, and 5pm on Saturday, August 30th! Come out and say hi!
Merch - https://stevehartmannmusic.itemorder.com/sale
Latest News
Thanks so much for visiting my page! I appreciate your time and support and hope to see you at a show soon! Come back to visit often! I'll be editing and adding things a bit at a time. Cheers!
May 11, 2020
Sweet Release limited merch!
May 11, 2020
Sweet Release Virtual Benefit Concert Series
Hello all! In an attempt to help those that can't help themselves during this unprecedented time, I'm hosting a weekly Facebook live concert every Saturday at 8:30pm. Go to facebook.com/steve.hartmann3 and watch it there live! All proceeds to go our…
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