About the Artist
Cousin Curtiss (Curtiss O’Rorke Stedman) and Harrison B are a high-energy "power duo" known for a self-described "Rootstomp" sound—a fiery mix of blues played at bluegrass speeds. Curtiss, a former teacher from Alaska, leads with rapid-fire acoustic guitar, harmonica, and a thunderous kick drum. He is joined by Harrison B, a soulful electric guitarist and former contestant on The Voice (Team Alicia), whose playing adds grit and atmospheric depth.
Together, they create a massive "two-man full-band" sound, frequently touring ski towns and festivals across the United States. Their collaboration is captured on releases like the Seattle Sessions (Live) and the 2023 EP, featuring fan favorites like "Run" and "Honey Bee."
Cousin Curtiss
About the Episode (Episode 22)
The High-Octane Hustle: Cousin Curtiss and Harrison B on Choosing the Road Over the Classroom
When Cousin Curtiss decided to trade his teaching license for a life of “rootstomp” music, he wasn’t just chasing a dream—he was choosing a struggle that felt more vital than security. In this episode of Curious Goldfish, Jason English sits down with the high-energy duo of Cousin Curtiss and Harrison B to discuss the grit required to sustain a career on the road and the evolution of their collaborative sound.
Cousin Curtiss, a Michigan native who found his groove in the mountains of Telluride and the Pacific Northwest, has built a reputation on a frenetic blend of blues, bluegrass, and folk. His signature "one-man-band" setup—utilizing a porch board, guitar, and harmonica—is amplified by the rhythmic depth of Harrison B, a multi-instrumentalist known for blending soulful vocals with beatboxing and bass. Together, they’ve become a staple of the festival circuit, fueled by records like Rambler and a relentless touring schedule.
Reflecting on his pivot from the classroom, Curtiss notes, “Knowing that there was a greener pasture to go back to teaching... but purposefully not because this thing felt more important. It felt more impactful.”
The conversation explores three key themes:
The Professional Pivot: Walking away from a stable teaching career provided a safety net, but Curtiss explains the "eye-opening" reality of realizing that "living the dream" requires a new kind of creative discipline to find things worth writing about.
Capturing the Chaos: The duo discusses the challenge of translating their explosive live energy into the studio. Curtiss admits he wants his future recordings to be “a little messier” to better reflect the authentic, raw experience of their stage show.
The Simple Curiosities: From an obsession with a NASA shirt to the existential effort of "getting through the day," the pair explores how staying curious about the mundane keeps their spirits high during the grind of touring.
This episode is a great look inside an artist’s resilience, offering a candid look at the "greener pastures" we leave behind to find the ones that actually matter.
