Alicia Keys’ amazing bass player kindly accepted to have an exclusive interview with Alicia4Life.org. Besides being on Alicia’s band for some years now, he also wrote some songs with her. Get to know everything about it!

“She knows how to make a great record, right down to the bass line!!”

1. You’re a successful musician, but was it always your dream to work in music for a living?

Absolutely! Its the only thing I’m somewhat good at! I like arguing a point too. Being a lawyer was my second choice. ( Not including stuntman, and a california highway patrol motorbike officer thanks to the TV show, “CHiPS”

2. We know you as Alicia’s bass player for some years now. How did you end up working with her?

A friend and colleague, Ray Chew, asked me if I was interested in playing with Alicia. Easy

Steve Mostyn performing with Alicia Keys

3. We also know you’ve been involved in other projects besides working with Alicia. Tell us more about it.

I’ve played with a few people, not that you’d call those projects, but they’re all on the resume! I have played with some of my musical heroes which is wicked! Played and recorded with Bono! Also David Bowie and Annie Lennox!! Theres a list so here’s a few others: Gwen Stefani, Destiny’s Child, Jay-Z, Lenny Kravitz, Missy Elliot, Justin Timberlake, John Mayer, Chris Martin to name a few. As far as projects go, my best girl Jen Sencion and i were in a band called The Ruling Party. We’re now working on a duo project along the lines of a portishead/bjork vibe. Its gonna be awesome!

4. You’ve collaborated with Alicia on some songs for her “As I Am” album. How easy/hard was it to create those songs with her?

Alicia is soooo great to work with in creating music. Not many people give her the producer creds she’s due. She knows how to make a great record, right down to the bass line!! What makes the creative process so cool with her is that she’s so open to all styles of music. During “As I Am” we listened to so much cool music. I introduced her to a few of my faves like Radiohead, Sigur Ros, old Ska ,old mod and soul, and late 70s early 80s new wave like The Cure, The Smiths etc. We also played The Beatles to death! We wrote 2 songs together on the new record too. “Distance and Time” and “This Bed”. We really went 80s synth/pop on those. Ala Prince!!

Alicia Keys and Steve Mostyn

5. With a job like this you get to travel around the world. What was your favourite place so far? Why?

Well Sydney Australia is home. And my favourite place in the world. But besides that I love Lisbon Portugal. (I know thats where you are [Susana] and I’m not trying to suck up!) It just has all of the great things about Europe rolled up into one. I also love Tokyo Japan. Crazy pace and the nicest people. Lastly I always love being in the UK. All of my lively influences stem from there. Musical, style etc

6. You’re a tattoo addict! What’s your favourite tattoo, and what’s its meaning?

Fave tatt? wow, Artistically it has to be 2. A Japanese Koi done by Mario Barth. Traditional Japanese Koi signify wealth and good luck. Mario Barth is one of the worlds best tattooists. The other was another Japanese flower on my back done by Horitoshi-San 1. He is the master of traditional Japanese tattooing. All his work is done by hand, its nothing like going onto a shop and picking something of the wall. It was an amazing experience. I’m gonna fly between here and Japan and have them both do my back. As far as most meaningful it would have to be the portraits of my family done by Danny Wilde in LA. Unbelievable work, and artistically amazing. Looks just like em!

7. What’s your biggest achievement? What do you still want to achieve in life?

I guess if you’re talking musically it has to be winning a grammy for superwoman with Alicia. The future? I’d like to just keep writing and make music with cool people. I would really like to get my style in with people of all genres. I love GOOD music. Plus i’d like a beach house in Sydney!

8. Do you have any message for those who want to have a successful career in music?

The old cliche! Stick to it, work hard, don’t take no for an answer and be true to yourself. Do what you love and if YOU really love what you create you’ll find a lot of other people do too. And call your parents every now and then!
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Check the following video of Steve jamming with Alicia while making “Tell You Something”!