Musician with Stornoway, Ocean Rising ambassador and storyteller. I give talks on birdsong, music and conservation that audiences describe as spellbinding.
A talk with live song for the Bodleian's Engagement & Learning programme alongside its bird exhibition: how growing up in South Africa shaped my music, and how songs can bring threatened species into public view.
A 40-minute talk for Wildkind's adult adventure camp on biodiversity, birdsong and what drives my songwriting, closing with three things anyone can do next.
“Extraordinary insight into how Oli's background has informed his music and connection with threatened species. So glad I came!”
Audience survey · Weston Library
“Spellbinding! Will stay for the other talk & activities as I'm so impressed.”
Audience survey · Weston Library
“Inspiring talk opening up new field of knowledge: birdsong.”
Audience survey · Weston Library
“The highlight out of a great selection of talks, workshops and demonstrations.”
Attendee · Weston Library
“A fantastic talk and performance. Such a treat to hear you sing in Zulu.”
Engagement & Learning team · Bodleian Libraries
How bird calls shape melody, rhythm and lyric, from Stornoway's early records to The Honeyeater's Song with Ladysmith Black Mambazo, written for one of Australia's rarest birds. Live examples throughout.
What an Ocean Rising ambassador and a band can actually do for nature: campaigns, partnerships, and the Conservation Conversations interview series with artists and field recordists.
Touring on foot and by bike, trail running and the #FreeTheBatteryHuman idea: getting people outdoors, together, through music and movement.
Lessons from 365 Days Of Folk, a band's direct-to-fan model and a portfolio career, for artists, students and creative-industry audiences.
Suited to festivals, libraries and museums, conservation and science conferences, arts programmes and community events. I can bring my own sound and slides, and adapt length and tone to the room.
Oli Steadman is a trail runner, folk innovator and the bassist in indie-folk band Stornoway. From Glastonbury's Pyramid Stage to tours around the world, he has spent his career bringing people together through music, movement and the natural world.
Raised in South Africa and based in England since 2002, he is an ambassador for Ocean Rising, hosts the Conservation Conversations interview series, and writes about music and the outdoors on Substack. His talks blend storytelling, live song and audience participation, and people leave wanting to run, roam and sing.