Big Energy, Small Stage: Why Gold Steps Belongs on Your Radar

We hadn’t seen a house show of live music in a long time. Years In fact. We have been to a few concerts this year, but all in concert halls. I first found Gold Steps on Tik Tok and their song Rent Free which was a bop. If you like pop punk like Paramore or Green Day, then you’ll like these guys. They are from Wisconsin, but I was excited when I heard they were coming to town.

What’s so funny is they played a small club here called the Starlighter the same night as My Chemical Romance was in the Alamodome here. I love MCR, but paying hundreds for tickets then huffing through stadium steps just no longer appeals to us in our 50s.  I still remember seeing Pink about 3 years ago and everyone asking me if I was ok when going up the stairs because I apparently looked like I was about to pass out. Stadiums are not the best venues for concerts in my opinion. Sure, they can put on huge stage shows and it holds a lot of people, but I just feel like there isn’t much connection with the audience and it just has a funny vibe. I saw Iron Maiden years ago at an arena show and that was a little better, I enjoyed the show, but once again they were a long way away. And I don’t know maybe I’m old but my favorite shows in recent years were in concert halls and small theaters.

That said, the Starlighter only holds a couple hundred people, so it felt incredibly personal. Four bands played in total, with two or three going on before Gold Steps. Some were really good, while one just wasn’t our vibe. Since I had my cane, I emailed the venue ahead of time, and they kindly had a table ready so we could sit. We’re older now, and I can’t stand for long because of my hip. Still, we were right up front, close to everything.

So, Gold Steps came out and while the other bands were good, it was clear these guys are on another level. They were so much more polished and clearer sounding.  They also had their own choreography of sorts as the bass player and guitar player would coordinate their movements and things quite smoothly.

Betty Mauritz, the lead singer has such a powerful stage presence. She clearly stood out among the other bands and her voice strength and even though it was a small audience, everyone was mesmerzized watching her work and control the room. I thought they were fun to watch on Instagam videos, but nothing compares to seeing them in person. They are still an up-and-coming band, but I can easily seeing them playing big shows eventually. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

We got to meet with the band after their show because they work their own merch table. Betty was super kind in person as we had talked online a few times so she remembered who I was. The crazy thing is, these guys work day jobs and have to go back to work next week after their tour ends! So they truly are dedicated to what they do. Though this is also a sad reality for a lot of indie bands, even successful ones. Streaming just doesn’t pay much so even with a big following, a lot of artists still have to hold regular jobs. Which just speaks to how good these guys are. They work regular jobs and still put this much work and love into their craft to be as good as they are.

We had a great conversation about performing, and Betty shared a thoughtful philosophy about touring: play every room as if it’s packed, even if only one or two people show up. I told her about a comic con panel I did years ago for my writing where only one person attended. I was disappointed at first, but I invited him to sit down and ask me anything. We ended up talking for an hour, and he bought some merch from me later. Betty and the band understand that the key isn’t acting like you’re above anyone else; it’s giving your audience the best show you can, whether you’re playing for one person or 10,000.

I told her the turnout was really good considering My Chemical Romance was in town, and honestly, I think we had a great night and much more memorable experience than we would have at the big concert. Small venues don’t always have the best acoustics but there is a certain charm to them too that makes them fun.

The last house shows like this we saw were some cover bands many years ago. Nothing against cover bands as it can be fun to sing along. Gold Steps, I know several of their older songs, but don’t know as much of their newer ones, but I jammed out to all of them. There is something special about seeing an indie band playing their own original songs that a cover band just doesn’t quite capture. With a cover band its kind of like “I can’t see Del Leppard in concert right now, but these guys sound like them pretty good,” and you can have a good time. But hearing original tunes from a newer band on their way up is just something magical.

I don’t know what the future holds for Goldsteps and I admit I’m nervous because as they are an indie band, I love the connection they have right now with their fans and being able to interact with them. But I also want to see them succeed so if I have to trade that for seeing them one day opening for Hayley Williams or Green Day, then I will still cheer them on. They are a genuinely good group of good people, and I want to see good people succeed and not have to kill themselves in the process.

Years ago we saw the Hu at the Paper Tiger, another smaller club in San Antonio when their song Wolf Totem was popular. They put on an amazing show. I told my son, enjoy them now because this may be the last time they play clubs. And I was right; this year they are opening for Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson. I can say I saw them way back when. As much as it would sting, I would love to say the same about Goldsteps in the near future. You can find them on instagam under Gold Steps Music and they are on all streaming platforms. Check them out!

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