Is Steve Tulipana the Charlie Parker of post-everything electro-noise? Well, he is an established and uncompromising Kansas City musical force, having put in more than 20 years of playing, recording, and touring. And he’s a known innovator, a pillar of pioneering KC legends Season to Risk (“They don’t sound like any other band, and when new bands emulate them, they change,” as Pure Volume describes S2R) and member of such diverse acts at Roman Numerals, Pornhuskers and Thee Water Moccasins. Also, as we’ll soon read, he’s spent some time playing alongside horn sections. He’s NOT known for hocking his gear to buy smack, however.
All preposterousness aside, Steve is a valuable member of our city’s musical community and a great guy. Ladies and gentlemen, get to know Steve Tulipana:
What’s the last album you listened to?
I’m an iJunkie. iTunes, iPhone or iPod is usually on continuous shuffle of well over 10,000 songs or something ridiculous like that between my two computers and all the hard drives. That said, the latest album I listened to front to back is The National’s High Violet.
What is one album you feel everyone should listen to?
Not possible. Here are ten
Minutemen – Double Nickels on the Dime
Stooges – Raw Power
David Bowie – Low
Lou Reed – Street Hassle
Einsturzende Neubauten – Haus der Luge
No Means No – Sex Mad
Joy Division – Unknown Pleasures
Black Flag – My War
The Cure – Disintegration
Nick Drake – Pink Moon
But ask me tomorrow and the list might include Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, The Birthday Party/Nick Cave, Bjork, Slayer, Melvins and Townes Van Zandt.
It sounded like thwacking two dirty rugs together.
Who is one person, present or past, that you would love to collaborate/jam with?
Without a doubt, D. Boon.
Who is one person outside of music that you admire and why?
Ayaan Hirsi Ali. I love her perseverance, her rational thought processes and her willingness to changer her mind. Brilliant and beautiful. Mad crush on her. Ha!
Do you read music?
I was taught to read music when I was in band. I played the trumpet then Tuba in Liberty High Symphonic. I wasn’t very good but I loved sitting in the middle of the band and listening to the music from that perspective. We had great teachers there but I never really grasped sight reading. Definitely cannot read guitar tabs. I pick things out by ear.
Any other obsessions/passions besides music?
Food. Avowed foodie. It’s decadent and I’m sometimes embarrassed by it. The wife and I have traveled for restaurant experiences- French Laundry in Younteville and Tru in Chicago to name a couple. We’d rather spend money on food than clothes or cars or bills for that matter, doh!
What was your first bass, do you still have it?
Damn, I don’t. I do remember that I bought it at Antioch Shopping Center. I can’t remember the name of the store. Something sub-Hondo with the big silver string guard at the bridge and the thumb rest. It sounded like thwacking two dirty rugs together.
Listen to, learn, and read more about Steve here, here, and here.
Inquest Midwest explores the minds of musicians from Parkville to Raymore—and beyond.
