"so strange how people can be
each passerby has his head in the clouds
nobody truly notices me
accept for the little boy on the street
he's got his mouth wide open, so that he can better see"
'Disconnected'
Bastian Steven: A Soulful Storyteller of Connection and Adventure
Hailing from the vibrant city of Arnhem, Bastian Steven is an R&B/Soul-Pop singer-songwriter whose music bridges hearts and minds. With a warm voice and deeply personal lyrics, he explores the beauty and complexity of life, love, and human connection.
Armed with a master’s degree in social science, Bastian dives into the intricacies of human behavior, using his music as a bridge to connect people in an increasingly digital and polarized world. His songs are invitations to dance and to slow down, to feel, and to reconnect. Honest, hopeful, and full of soul.
From Soulful Beginnings to a Global Stage
Bastian’s musical roots lie in Arnhem’s iconic venue Dollars LIVE, where he went from bartender to frontman, captivating audiences every Saturday night. His journey continued as the lead singer of Dear Mr. Man, with whom he released two albums, supported renowned Dutch acts such as KANE and De Dijk, and even featured in a national TV commercial.
As a solo artist, Bastian has found his truest voice. Combining soul, modern R&B, Pop, and storytelling into a sound that feels both familiar and fresh. After his debut EP Disconnected: Wave One, Bastian challenged himself to release a new single every month for a full year. A creative journey that showcased his versatility and dedication. Songs like “Trail of Happiness” and “Freedom & Fireworks” resonated deeply with listeners, and earned placements in several popular Spotify playlists.
A New Album in 2026
2026 marks a new chapter for Bastian with the release of his upcoming album ‘Say Cheers To The People You Love’ produced together with Jasper Zuidervaart. Together with an all-star line-up of dutch musicians, including Maarten Kooymans (Komodo), Sven Figee (Hammond), Timothy Banchet (Benjamin Herman), and Lorijn von Piekartz (MAAN, Jett Rebel). He has created a rich and timeless soundscape that feels both intimate and universal.
"Say Cheers To The People You Love"
Bastian kicked off a thrilling new chapter with the release of his single "Say Cheers To The People You Love." Inspired by the simple but magical adventures of everyday life, shared with his young son, Morris, the song is a joyful toast to embracing life’s wonders with those closest to your heart. The accompanying hand-drawn stop-motion video, a labor of love crafted with his family, captures the essence of adventure and creativity, embodying the very spirit of the song.
“What I Wouldn’t Give”
With the single ‘What I Wouldn’t Give’, Bastian released a new preview of his upcoming album. A song that stands against all the bizarre conflicts in the world. An energetic track that reflects the longing for unity. Together, we overcome obstacles and spread positive energy in the world. "I sometimes look at the world in amazement and realize how many different things, both positive and negative, happen at the same time. Everyone is walking their own life path. My little son is now in school feeling at ease, there is also wars going on, terrible things are happening right now, people are dying from hunger and some are watching champions Leaque football. We have terrorism, we have whales swimming around that are over 20 meters long, we dance, we laugh, half the world is asleep, some are overweight, and we have people that are starving. It remains such a bizarre thought.
Then I think about the old computer game The Sims, and I wonder: what if we could simply restart this game with only positive values at the forefront? What would the world look like then?"
Live Energy & International Reach
Bastian’s long-awaited new album will be released at the end of March 2026, marking the start of an uplifting club tour across the Netherlands. Earlier, in October 2025, Bastian celebrated the album’s upcoming release with a U.S. tour in the Chicago (IL) area, performing at shows and festivals in South Bend (IN), Goshen (IN), and St. Joseph (MI). To make the release even more special, he will bring together a powerhouse band featuring both Dutch and American musicians — promising performances filled with emotion, groove, and connection.
For Bastian's latest singles ‘Reason’ & Out Of Time’, Bastian recorded a live performance. Check out these brand-new video’s here:
Watch the live video for “Reason”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2h8MXwXovU
Watch the live video for “Out Of Time”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcrRxsyIAn4
Bastian Steven