May 28, 2025
The May 28 Songbird Concert felt like a masterclass in depth. Four artists, each carrying decades of craft, created a night that was both intimate and quietly expansive.
Steve Dawson anchored the evening with his signature poetic precision, delivering songs that felt lived-in and deeply considered. His storytelling carried a kind of emotional gravity that pulled the room into stillness, each lyric landing with intention. Diane Christiansen complemented that beautifully, her dusky alto adding warmth and resonance that elevated every moment she touched. Together, they created a dynamic that felt effortless yet profoundly moving.
Marc Chechik brought a different kind of energy: raw, textured, and unapologetically expressive. His guitar work and songwriting carried the weight of experience, blending grit with introspection in a way that felt both unpredictable and grounded. There’s a sense of history in his performance, but never nostalgia for its own sake.
Monica Casey rounded out the circle with heart-forward storytelling and a vocal presence that felt both comforting and compelling. Her songs carried an emotional accessibility that connected instantly, bridging generations and experiences with ease.
Collectively, the night was less about individual performances and more about the shared language of songwriting as a vessel for memory, meaning, and connection. It was Songbird at its most refined: thoughtful, resonant, and deeply human.
📸: Auset Sarno
ABOUT THE MUSICIANS
Steve Dawson
Diane Christiansen
Marc Chechik
Monica Casey
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Steve Dawson is a master of storytelling through song, blending graceful, poetic lyrics with soulful heartache and sharp, exacting wordplay. A true craftsman of the Americana and folk genres, Dawson has built a catalog that resonates with listeners, from his six albums with Dolly Varden to his six solo releases, including his latest work, Ghosts (2024). Whether he’s playing his guitar in Chicago or teaching songwriting at the Old Town School of Folk Music, Dawson’s music invites listeners into a world of emotional depth and reflective storytelling.
With a sound that’s both intimate and expansive, Dawson’s songs are laced with the wisdom and experience of his diverse musical journey—from San Diego to Hailey, Idaho, and beyond. A longtime influence on the American music scene, he’s recognized not just for his songwriting but for his ability to make you feel every word.
learn more at: stevedawsonmusic.com
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Diane Christiansen is a renowned singer, songwriter whose soulful, dusky alto has been captivating audiences for over two decades. Known for her deep, emotive harmonies, Christiansen has helped shape the sound of the band Dolly Varden, which has released six critically acclaimed albums.
As a songwriter, she’s co-created songs that radiate with warmth, poetic insight, and emotional depth. Her partnership with Dawson has resulted in timeless, intimate duets that resonate deeply with listeners. When she's not performing or recording, Christiansen’s creativity extends to the art world, making her a true multi-disciplinary artist.
learn more at: dollyvarden.com
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Marc has been a recognized singer-songwriter and singular guitarist in the St. Louis, Missouri rock/roots/ Americana scene since its early 1990s’ salad days. He was a founding member of the disturbingly forgotten rockers, The Relatives, played guitar and wrote in the ambitiously panoramic Waterloo, co-founded the Undertow Collective, one of the more promising DIY studios/ labels in the Midwest, was a co-conspirator in the stunning sonic mayhem of Thee Dirty South with the late Bob Reuter, and has, for the past 25 years, given thoughtfully ballistic and spiritually searing tours of the heart in Melody Den.
“…A purveyor of effortless and timeless Americana.”– Chris King, St. Louis Magazine
“…he delivers a beautiful, varied tour of Americana’s back roads.”– Riverfront Times (R.I.P.)
“Some things are well worth waiting for…Chechik’s writing is sharp, creating images that are alive.”– St. Louis Post-Dispatch
learn more at: nodepression.com
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Monica Casey, a St. Louis native and gifted singer-songwriter, captivates audiences with her engaging vocals and heartfelt storytelling. Drawing inspiration from iconic artists like Joni Mitchell, Shawn Colvin, Lucinda Williams, and Nanci Griffith, Monica's music resonates with emotional depth and authenticity.
With recordings like Again and Again, Here We Are, and Animal Tracks and Other Love Songs available on streaming platforms, Monica’s music continues to touch listeners worldwide. Recently, inspired by her music’s connection with children, she’s transformed three of her songs into children’s books and coloring books. Monica's work continues to inspire, educate, and entertain across generations.
learn more at: facebook.com/monica.casey