August Lee Stevens at the Lab

An episode of the Songs & Stories podcast, hosted by Backstage Bay Area, titled "August Lee Stevens at the Lab" was published on March 30, 2026 and runs 28 minutes.

March 30, 2026 ·28m · Songs & Stories

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Summary

Show Notes:On this episode of Backstage Bay Area, host Steve Roby talks with Bay Area singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist August Lee Stevens ahead of her Joe Henderson Lab run at SFJAZZ. The conversation traces her musical roots, the blend of folk, soul, and jazz in her work, and the writing process behind two featured songs, “Tell Me” and “Citrus.” Steve and August talk about growing up in the Bay Area, how family and place shaped her sound, and how songs begin for her—sometimes as a phrase, sometimes as a melody, and sometimes as a feeling that keeps returning until it becomes a finished piece. The episode also looks at the emotional charge behind “Tell Me” and the family-centered inspiration behind “Citrus,” which appears on Live at the Troubadour. Songs featured in this episode:“Tell Me”“Citrus”Episode highlights:August Lee Stevens on her Bay Area musical backgroundHow folk, soul, and jazz come together in her songwritingThe story and emotional spark behind “Tell Me”The family inspiration behind “Citrus”What audiences can expect from her Joe Henderson Lab showsThe songs featured in this episode were provided by August Lee Stevens and are used with the artist’s permission.August Lee Stevens’ official website is ⁠augustleestevens.com⁠.Joe Henderson Lab show information:August Lee Stevens performs at SFJAZZ’s Joe Henderson Lab on Saturday, April 4, at 7:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., and Sunday, April 5, at 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available here: SFJAZZ ticket linkPhoto credit: Ariel Nava

Episode Description

Show Notes:
On this episode of Backstage Bay Area, host Steve Roby talks with Bay Area singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist August Lee Stevens ahead of her Joe Henderson Lab run at SFJAZZ. The conversation traces her musical roots, the blend of folk, soul, and jazz in her work, and the writing process behind two featured songs, “Tell Me” and “Citrus.”

Steve and August talk about growing up in the Bay Area, how family and place shaped her sound, and how songs begin for her—sometimes as a phrase, sometimes as a melody, and sometimes as a feeling that keeps returning until it becomes a finished piece. The episode also looks at the emotional charge behind “Tell Me” and the family-centered inspiration behind “Citrus,” which appears on Live at the Troubadour.

Songs featured in this episode:
“Tell Me”
“Citrus”

Episode highlights:
August Lee Stevens on her Bay Area musical background
How folk, soul, and jazz come together in her songwriting
The story and emotional spark behind “Tell Me”
The family inspiration behind “Citrus”
What audiences can expect from her Joe Henderson Lab shows

The songs featured in this episode were provided by August Lee Stevens and are used with the artist’s permission.

August Lee Stevens’ official website is ⁠augustleestevens.com⁠.

Joe Henderson Lab show information:
August Lee Stevens performs at SFJAZZ’s Joe Henderson Lab on Saturday, April 4, at 7:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., and Sunday, April 5, at 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available here: SFJAZZ ticket link

Photo credit: Ariel Nava