Who is Steven Oliver?
A self-proclaimed sexy middle aged Faboriginal male who writes songs and performs them in his cabaret aka ‘Fabaret’ show, Bigger & Blacker via his adequate singing, questionable guitar playing and thankfully terrific piano playing courtesy of friend and collaborator Michael Griffiths.
He is also a performer who will sing all of his original songs in between entertaining storytelling and sombre contemplation around love, life, connection and music that will only briefly interrupted by out of practice yet presentable tap dancing. And after that ramble, Steven Oliver is himself unsure about who is Steven Oliver.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
Not ramble.
Who inspires you and why?
People / life / pain / joy / curiosity / knowledge / travel and sometimes money cos all those other things aren’t accepted as payment by landlords and Disney+
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
By being different and showing through knowing that different is for the benefit of us all.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Wherever I find myself.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
I am the attraction, quite the sexy one too if I do say so my sexy self.
What are you currently reading?
Film magazines.
What are you currently listening to?
Michael, Janet, Whitney, Jessica (my KukuYalanji sistagirl) plus covers of songs as well as 90s, 80s and 70s music with gospel and country mixed in not to mention a few musical tunes that are my general faves.
Happiness is?
The journey not the destination nor is it the answer.
What does the future hold for you?
The present then the past and let us hope it presents a sexy man who’ll present me with presents and doesn’t walk past me like most presently do! Now that’s a future song waiting to be written.
Steven will perform his show Bigger and Blacker at Downstairs at The Maj as part of the inaugural Perth International Cabaret Festival from 24 – 25 June 2021. For more information, visit: www.ptt.wa.gov.au for details.
Image: Steven Oliver – photo by Dylan Evans