Steve Bardwil Trades the Boardroom for the Bandstand

The Sharp Notes with Evan Toth

After decades navigating the high-stakes world of Hollywood as Chief Counsel for Walt Disney Studios, Steve Bardwil has traded legal briefs for guitar riffs. His recent leap into full-time musicianship culminates in the release of Nothing But Time, a deeply personal and collaboratively rich album produced by the legendary Joe Chiccarelli. What began as a lifelong side-passion has now become the central focus of a second act that blends Bardwil’s storytelling instincts with a joyful, rootsy rock sensibility.

In this candid conversation, Bardwil discusses the leap from boardrooms to bandstands, detailing his journey from advising Marvel and Pixar to collaborating with veteran session players and building a band with longtime friends. With his creative compass set toward optimism and connection, Bardwil shares how his music avoids melancholia in favor of inspiration; crafting songs that uplift without preaching. He also opens up about the intensive, detail-driven studio process with Chiccarelli, where no snare drum or tempo was left unexamined.

The result is an album that sounds both timeless and contemporary, echoing Bardwil’s deep respect for rock traditions while embracing modern studio craftsmanship. From rehearsal rooms to legendary stages like the Troubadour, Bardwil and his band are now delivering the kind of heartfelt performances that only come from a life rich with experience — and a clear-eyed commitment to starting fresh.