When you are a musician that has written songs, the music bug will never really leave you. Motivation may takes breaks as life hits us but the muse is always there working underneath. In fact, those life experiences that cause a break often lead to some of the best inspiration for future songwriting. Our friend Avery Steele is a prime example of this as he returns to the scene with a new album Rooftops.
We chatted with the multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter to catch us up on his journey and his new direction. Enjoy the interview here:
So first off, what brought you back to music after taking quite a long hiatus?
I came back to music following a divorce and a deep depression that followed it. I met this wonderful woman that eventually led up to me leaving my wife and I started writing about her, which would eventually become “Bri’s Song”. Then once I separated, I just started writing profusely. After spending a summer of living life and writing, I decided to finally start recording and re-establishing myself as a musical artist as I transitioned into my brand new life.
I’ve been wanting to come back sooner than the 9-10 years I took off, but honestly, the drive and passion didn’t come until the events that led up to my divorce.
How would you describe the Avery Steele sound?
Everyone will describe the “Avery Steele” sound differently from me 
I personally see my sound as very angsty, very emotional, and regardless of what genre I’m playing, there’s always a punk-rock attitude of “f**k the world” behind all the material I put out.
Which artists have had the biggest influence on you?
Bands like Queen and They Might Be Giants led to want to learn how to play music and how to perform, essentially the pioneers of my early days. As I went on to form my sound and solidify what my music will be, I’ve grown to adapt to the sounds of Green Day, Weezer, and Cory Wong.
How does a song come together for you? What is your songwriting process?
Prior to my comeback to music, I was always an instrumental first, lyrics second type of person. It then led to a pattern of all my songs sounding eerily too similar.
Approaching the writing of “Bri’s Song” in May 2024, I had actually written all the lyrics first, then started singing those words to a melody and writing music to it; and that’s how I’ve approached songwriting since.
I remember seeing you with The Foxfires years ago. Compare the differences in your solo career vs being in a band.
Thank you! I’m always flattered when people remember me from the Foxfires days.
I haven’t played in a band in years, honestly. But comparing my times as Jason DeLima or Avery Steele as opposed to my times as the drummer of Innocent Posture, Almost Midnight, the Foxfires and Nothing Personal; it’s vastly different.
As a solo artist, you become your own boss, you call all the shots, you choose your collaborators and honestly, you paint your own picture. It’s extremely freeing, but however, can get lonely at times.
Being in a band, you work with other musicians and you make timeless memories together. Collaborating with others is a magical feeling, honestly. However in all honesty, you run into way more creative differences this way, and being tied to others can negatively affect your chemistry and how you all write and perform together.
What can you tell us about your latest album Rooftops?
Honestly, Rooftops was a very long time coming. It’s a bunch of untold stories from before and after my marriage. The whole album is essentially songs I’ve been trying to write for years, a whole plethora of emotions and feelings that I let out all at once. It’s all my raw emotions, my truest deepest feelings that I feel everyone can relate to, and it’s just been a long time coming.
Even songs like “In Middletown’s Arms” and “The Master Plan” were songs I’ve been trying to put out since before my retirement, and these two along with the journey and stories of the rest of the Rooftops album is quite an emotional journey in itself.
Share some advice for other artists getting back to their music after taking a break.
Honestly, just do it. Write again. Record. Perform. Get back into it. If you’ve been out of the music game, remember you used to be in it for a reason. Find that reason again. Find yourself. Love the passion of doing music again!
What does the future hold for Avery Steele?
I’m working on so many different projects right now! I’m looking to re-release all of my old music as Jason DeLima (six full length albums and all my former EPs), all remastered and remixed to modern day standards. My side project 45.T33L3 which focuses on electronic/house music I have a couple different full lengths coming out for it in 2025, and I’m actively writing and recording my next album as Avery Steele entitled “the Villain”, which will entail my transition into the person I should’ve been many years ago.
There is sooo much to come in the future and I hope everyone is ready for it!!
