Singer and songwriter Robert Steffen has been around the block when it comes to performing, but now he is sharing his musical vision with two fellow City College students in the hopes of creating a sound that people will remember.

The “Robert Steffen Band” came together for the first time in December of 2008. Always looking for new ways to make music, Steffen recruited Bekah Sutcliffe and Nick Moore after hearing each of them rehearse in the practice rooms on West Campus.

Participating in a project like this means something different for each of its members. For Steffen, it is an avenue to pursue music professionally, and to further his creativity.

For Sutcliffe, “it’s just fun.”

Sutcliffe, an 18-year-old violinist, has been attending City College for the last three years. She is currently taking the semester off to work as an assistant manager at El Rancho Market’s coffee shop. So far, Sutcliffe has “no clue” as to what her future holds.

“I like to just see where everything takes me,” she said.

Moore, the group’s drummer, is 20-years-old and in his sixth semester at City College. He looks to major in drum performance, but he has no plans to transfer or graduate right away. He is working part-time at New Frontiers health food store in Solvang, and enjoying the four music courses he is enrolled in, including Eric Heidner’s “Good Times Band.”

Moore said that playing with Steffen has given him opportunities to expand his musical horizons that he otherwise would not have had.

“It gives me a chance to collaborate with people, to play musically, to play for a song-to try and contribute to that song as much as possible,” he said.

Steffen is the creator, guitar player, and lead vocalist for the “Robert Steffen Band.” His career in music has been extensive, beginning with learning to play the drums at a very young age. He continued on drums, until one day when he realized a limitation to his instrument choice.

“I kept having ideas for the band,” he said. “I had ideas for parts of the song and it wasn’t what the singer/songwriter had in mind. So I started writing my own songs.”

A prolific songwriter, Steffen was nominated for Best Male Vocalist in the 2008 Orange County Music Awards. With some input from the band, he wrote all of their material.

“I wake up in the morning hearing songs,” Steffen said. “You can either ignore it and brush your teeth, or you can sit down and learn how to play it. I figured I kind of had to start practicing and trying to formulate the ideas-to kind of take responsibility.”

When asked about her role in the band and her hopes for its future, Sutcliffe said she is playing with Stephan, “for the experience mostly.”

But, she added, one can never know what is going to happen, and if making this a profession were a possibility, she would be excited to try it.

“This is probably what I’m best at,” she said.

Sutcliffe has been studying classical violin for the last 13 years, but two years ago, she bought an electric violin, which she uses to play contemporary music. She has been singing for just as long, and uses her vocal talents to back up Steffen’s melodies.

Whatever their long term plans, all three band members are looking forward to the future of the group.

“I think that this band could go professional,” Moore said. “I think that we could go on tour, and we could go farther than Santa Barbara. I would love to tour.”

The band is trying to get their name out into the community as they are taking advantage of every opportunity to play music live.

“Recording is in the future but the distant future,” Moore said. “We’re mostly concentrating on building a fan base.”

A tight rehearsal schedule is not uncommon for these players, and Steffen keeps them working hard.

“I don’t think that I ask too much but I do ask a lot,” Steffen said with a laugh. “I’ve been called a taskmaster, but I try to keep it an open thing, keep it collaborative. My vision is to have all of us contributing, mixing it up.”

Steffen is aware of his responsibility as a performer to provide a complete concert experience, not just a series of songs. He said he wants his band to be something that people go to see and remember for a lifetime, not just an evening.

“So much media is supposed to be a distraction,” he said. “We are pulling them out of their day into a place of possibility. I want our sound to be bigger than people’s problems.”

The band recently played a four-hour set at the Cold Springs Tavern, where they entertained a packed bar.

Sutcliffe’s boyfriend, Zain Ramjan was sitting front and center for the show, and said that it was one of the best performances he’s seen.

“It’s really fun to see them play,” he said. “I have seen them a few times now, and they seem more on cue. They’re more entertaining to watch, more comfortable with their music. ”

Steffen had a difficult time settling on what genre best groups the band. He decided that alternative folk-rock was the best fit, and compared its creative style to that of folk artist Damian Rice.

A website is on the way, but for now the band updates show dates, recent recording, and photos at www.myspace.com/robertsteffenmusic.