Early years (1996–2007) Marriner began playing the harmonica at eleven years of age. He first studied the harmonica with Ottawa-based bluesman Larry "The Bird" Mootham. After a year of tutelage, Marriner began joining The Bird and his band on stage in Ottawa-area clubs. Before taking the stage for the first time, Marriner was bestowed with the moniker "Southside Steve," a reference to his home on the South end of Ottawa. This stage name was used for the next several years. In the summer of 1998, at the age of thirteen, "Southside Steve" met guitarist Tony D, (Tony Diteodoro) and would perform regularly with him at
The Rainbow Bistro. The two would later form
MonkeyJunk with drummer Matt Sobb in 2008. Later in 1998, Marriner joined The Johnny Russell Band. The band played Chicago Blues and New Orleans music and performed around the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. In June, 1999, at the age of fourteen, Marriner won the Ottawa Blues Harp Blow-Off, an annual battle of harmonica players held at The Rainbow Bistro. With the win came an appearance on stage at the
Ottawa Bluesfest and a recording sessions at
Distortion Studios in Ottawa. The Johnny Russell Band used the studio time to record their album
Whippersnapper. The album was released in December 1999, and is the earliest public recording of Marriner. In 2000, Marriner began recording and touring with the
JW-Jones Blues Band, contributing both vocals and harp. For the next three years, he performed with the band at clubs, bars, and blues festivals. During that time, Marriner played several shows with
Fabulous Thunderbirds frontman, singer and harp player
Kim Wilson when the band was backing up Wilson during his performances in Canada. Marriner left in 2003 to attend the
University of Ottawa. In 2004, Marriner joined Canadian folk icon
Harry Manx at the
Chicago Blues Festival. Following a positive response from the Chicago audience, Manx invited Marriner to accompany him on tour regularly. The two would tour the world together from 2004 until 2007, performing in Australia, France, England, the United States, and Canada. Other early supportive influences included
George Pendergrast,
Johnny Sansone and
Rick Estrin. Marriner's debut solo album,
Going Up, was released in 2007 on
Dog My Cat Records, a label co-owned by Harry Manx. The record was reviewed favourably despite low sales and no nominations. Another review notes the album's "nods to harp legends
Little Walter,
Junior Wells and
Kim Wilson, and states that Marriner's "tight band fan the flames of tradition with a scorching sound for the 21st century." The review states that "Marriner proves himself an adept singer/songwriter who writes highly melodic tunes that are energetic and full of catchy hooks, reminiscent of
Delbert McClinton". The review states that "his lyrics stay true to the braggadocio tradition forged by past blues legends." Marriner went on to produce A.J. Fullerton's sophomore album "The Forgiver & The Runaway" recorded winter of 2019, and released on Vizztone records in spring of 2021. ==Awards (in solo capacity)==