“BE WELL is a masterclass in raw, unfiltered indie rock, shifting seamlessly from heavy psychedelic delirium to quiet, simple acoustic moments.” - Grooves & Needles
How does a Canadian-born artist living in NYC find his way to an Argentinian record label by way of the UK?
Hailing from Toronto, Canada, Steve’s recording career began auspiciously via a class project while at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario. The resulting 5-song EP credited as Boatman ended up cracking the top 20 on the Canadian college radio charts. Seeking a fully-realized band, Steve put together indie-rock trio 4-Star Movie. The Toronto-based band would enjoy college radio airplay, national tours, videos broadcast on Canada’s MuchMusic, and an appearance on CTV’s Open Mic with Mike Bullard. They would also hold band arguments on internet newsgroups, record a 7” single while simultaneously shooting a music video in drummer Lefty’s living room, and once turned a show into a tribute to Bo Derek while playing a set of indie-rock Abba covers.
In the spring of 2001, Steve moved to NYC and began playing at open mics around the city, slowly piecing together the Land Of No. The first incarnation of the band was a guitar-and-drums duo along with drummer Pete Hayes of The Figgs. Over time the band’s lineup would continue to morph, but always included musicians of the highest caliber. The band’s eponymous 1st record, now as a 5-piece, was recorded at Brooklyn’s Seaside Lounge and released on Tiny Beast Records. It garnered strong reviews, and led to a session at Illinois’ famed Daytrotter Studios.
The group’s second full-length record “Mon Dieu” was recorded and mixed largely at their own Sunset 7 Studio (RIP) with guitarist dAve Hollinghurst as engineer. The album was released on vinyl through the band’s own Later Records, and yielded two videos for “Atlantis” and “Clown’s Lament.”
The band’s third full-length record “Double Life”, also recorded and mixed at Sunset 7 Studio, was released in February 2018 as a joint issue with the band’s Later Records and Clearly Records out of Durham, North Carolina. Videos followed for “We’re A Mess” and “Sunspot On My Mind.”
Years before, while playing in the UK at London’s 12th Fret bar, Steve befriended Rob Boyd, main songwriter of the Hillfields and Rapid Results College. The two stayed in touch, with Rob championing Steve’s music to anyone who would listen. When it came time to plot the release of the band’s fourth record, Rob made the introduction to Buenos Aires label Argie Pop Records. “Be Well” was released on Argie Pop in the summer of 2026 and was recorded again by dAve Hollinghurst at the band’s own Miguel’s Baby studio (RIP). The record was mixed by Noah Georgeson (Devendra Banhart, Little Joy) and mastered by Alan Douches, with guest appearances by saxophone legend Paul Shapiro and cellist Lauren Slowik. You can purchase the album here.
The band’s current lineup includes Steve on vocals and guitar, dAve Hollinghurst on guitars and vocals, Christopher Peifer on bass and vocals, and Genji Siraisi on drums.
Photo by Marisa Siraisi