Cousin Curtiss: Mountain Town Culture, Live Performances and What’s Next
Cousin Curtiss is a two-man band featuring Curtiss O’Rorke Stedman and Jordan Harrison Baron (known as Harrison B), known for their high-energy blend of blues, bluegrass, rock and roots music. Steamboat Magazine sat down with the duo to discuss their distinctive sound, connection to Colorado’s mountain towns, approach to live performance and what’s next for the band. Cousin Curtiss will return to Steamboat Springs for a live performance at Snow Bowl on Wednesday, Sept. 9 at 6:30 p.m.
Steamboat Magazine: For people in Steamboat who are just discovering Cousin Curtiss, how would you describe who you are as an artist and the music you make?
Curtiss Stedman: We are a two man band, with a powerful sound. If no one has ever heard us before it's like if Mumford & Sons and ACDC had a baby.
SM: Your sound brings together blues, bluegrass, rock and roots music. How did you develop that style, and how has it evolved over the years?
CS: It started based on what we did well before we started jamming with each other. And then when our worlds collided full time, we didn't really have to change what we did, these sounds blend well together. Those influences we just lean into.
HB: From there we found the objective holes in our game, particularly in the live scenario. We found inventive and creative ways for two dudes to fill that full a queue from top to bottom and have a full band sound.
SM: Colorado and mountain town culture seem like a natural fit for your music. How has living and performing in Colorado influenced you as an artist?
CS: Right now I’m in Montrose, Colorado and Harrison is in Seattle. When we do play in mountain towns in Colorado, it is special because it feels like there's an adventure, thrill seeking attitude of the people that live in these mountain towns and we love leaning into that culture. We like coming out guns blazing with the style of music that we play. A lot of the songs are at a hundred miles an hour and I feel like that bodes well for mountain towns.
HB: The first place we ever were together was Telluride. So really the story of us coming together has an origin there in that mountain town and ever since then, every time we go to one, it has set the bar for what we expect. There is an energy return that's found in those mountain towns and obviously we’re inspired by what we see when we look beyond the crowd and behind it and get to see those amazing peaks as well. So overall, ten out of ten, no notes.
SM: When you’re playing a live show like the one at Snow Bowl, what do you want the audience to take away from the experience?
HB: We’re trying to synthesize some of the better parts of the human experience that maybe don’t have words. Part of that is joy, part of that is fun. We’re hoping to put on a show where you can come out and relax and enjoy the music, and ride the show with us as it's happening live.
SM: What’s next for Cousin Curtiss? Are there new songs, recordings or projects that you’re especially excited about?
CS: Yes to all of the above. We’ve got new songs and have been debuting this summer, which we’re stoked about. People have been jamming to those and they want to hear those, which is fantastic. We’re currently recording a new album. It’ll be our debut full length album, which is super exciting. I feel like we’re never not on tour, which is great. The ability to stay busy year round doing something we love is just top notch.
SM: What are you most looking forward to when you come back to Steamboat?
HB: I just know I personally have good memories of Snow Bowl in particular. I am excited to play that space again. The crowd there was epic every time and we’ve been looking forward to coming back.