Stephan isn’t curious about becoming into the mould—he’s right here to interrupt it. With a dedication to inventive individuality and an outright rejection of business traits, the self-proclaimed “King of Fantasy” brings a fearless perspective to music. From his early experiences as a performer to shaping a sound that refuses to be boxed right into a single style, he discusses the influences that gas his creativity, the business’s pitfalls, and the unwavering philosophy that guides his profession. On this interview, Stephan opens up concerning the challenges he’s confronted, the teachings discovered from working with business veterans, and his imaginative and prescient for the longer term—each within the studio and on stage. When you’re on the lookout for an artist with conviction and a refusal to play by the foundations, you’ll need to hear what he has to say.
Stephan, welcome to A&R Manufacturing unit! It’s a pleasure to attach with you and meet the artist behind your upcoming releases, which carry a fearless sense of individuality and a refusal to adapt to expectations. Going again to the beginning, you began acting at 11 and writing music by 13. How did these early experiences form your strategy to songwriting and efficiency right this moment?
Whats up Amelia, thanks to your heat welcoming!!!. To begin with, performing on the age of 11 was nerve-racking and an incredible expertise. I had the perfect efficiency on the present. From that day, I knew I wished to do one thing musically like performing, ultimately dancing & Music manufacturing. I began writing my songs from 13 & the primary track I wrote known as Incomplete, which is on my upcoming debut Album Hazard!! Throughout my early musical journey, I did have some skilled route, however not as a lot as I wished.
Lengthy story quick, greater than half the time, particularly as a Particular wants particular person, I used to be attempting to find who I’m, who I need to be & the place am I going? Consequentially, I made a decision to simply be myself, discover those who received’t attempt to affect me away from my identification/model & stand out as a lot as I can, as most individuals should comply with others as a result of they’re conditioned to take action. I’m normally seen because the odd one out, I find it irresistible!! Some individuals suppose I’m bizarre & unusual, which is ok as a result of it exhibits that I’m not like them & I am going by my instincts.
You describe your self as “The Visionist” and “King of Fantasy.” What do these titles imply to you, and the way do they manifest in your music?
For me, these slogans should not solely part of my model as this additional enhances & conveys my non-sheep mentality in direction of individuals. There are individuals on the market proper now who’ve heard my music & they at all times say it’s “completely different”. Each time I hear that, I do know I’m heading in the right direction as a result of that’s what I need!! I’m not silly to make generic music as a result of to me, it exhibits little to no creativity & it’s overly protected. This is among the the explanation why I despise Main report labels as they demand their artists to comply with traits that the Label themselves usually creates.
Main labels love to make use of advertising & promotional methods to inform individuals what to love & not introduce music to the plenty and see whether or not clients/shoppers prefer it for themselves. This helps me develop & grow to be the artist that I need to be!!
Your music rejects societal pressures and encourages self-investment. Was there a selected second or realisation in your life that solidified this ethos?
Nice query, Amelia!! By being alive lengthy sufficient & realizing there’s an excessive amount of negativity on this world. This but once more solidifies my non-sheep mentality as a result of there’s an excessive amount of conditioning from the powers that be. Therefore, I strongly advise individuals to self-invest in themselves to develop & develop. When individuals do that, they’ll understand a variety of predicaments are by design. How are we as individuals purported to make this world a greater place when too many individuals are following lies & rubbish? I don’t need to sound too political; I’m not an ideal Human being as everybody makes errors. Nevertheless, I’ve been placing my actions the place my Mouth is particularly, in my music.
You’ve labored with business veterans like Nick Michaels and Phil Curran. What’s probably the most worthwhile lesson you’ve taken from these collaborations?
Working with Nick & Phil has taught me a variety of issues & it additionally retains me humble. As a result of there are expertise I both lack or want enhancing on, actually, everybody has or no less than ought to have a group behind them. Nobody really makes it by themselves, even nice artists like Prince, MJ, George Michael & Freddie Mercury, and many others. It’s additionally essential to have a group that resonates with oneself as this could additional improve a harmonical skilled relationship, setting & higher music.
I bear in mind after I first labored with Nick & Phil, the Manufacturing proprietor Nick gave me about 2 hours totally free to indicate me what they might do to my monitor: It’s all inside time (travelling by the celebs) (which can be on my debut Album Hazard). What I’m about to disclose could be very private, so right here goes. I had tears in my eyes that I shortly wiped so that they wouldn’t see how overwhelmed I used to be. It was really wonderful & I knew from that second this is able to work out.
With influences starting from Prince and Stevie Marvel to Billie Eilish, how do you merge basic inspiration with a contemporary sound whereas protecting your music distinct?
I’m glad you’ve requested this query as a result of for me, the perfect artists & music for probably the most half, got here from across the 60s to the 80s. To not put an excessive amount of emphasis on my age, these eras have been earlier than my time & even I realise the greatness of these eras & how a lot inspiration that has continued to encourage artists like myself to this very day. These nice artists took possibilities to specific themselves & glided by intuition, which is strictly what I do. I don’t care if I’ll by no means be on their stage; I’ll be ecstatic if I used to be 25% of their stage. In consequence, as a result of I’m completely different to what’s at present being produced & launched. This helps me preserve my music & my model extra distinct.
Additionally, when individuals hearken to my music, particularly my vocals, they normally point out Prince, Bee Gees, MJ & George Michael. Mentioning Billie Eilish could be very essential not solely as a result of I’ve listened to a few of her music beforehand & I do fairly like her sound. Billie can be a up to date artist & usually, when individuals uncover an artist they’re curious about, they need to know as a lot details about that artist, together with their inspirations, as a result of it could possibly illustrate to the assessor whether or not the artist is value their time & funding. If the assessor likes the artist’s inspirations (& different points) like myself, the assessor will extra doubtless give me an opportunity as a result of now we have one thing in widespread. Sadly, many of the artists that I’m closely impressed by are now not alive. At instances, after I make my music, it seems like I’m paying tribute to the greats who’ve impacted me not solely musically but additionally total.
Your debut single, Say it such as you imply it, digs into the ache of unreciprocated love. How private was this monitor for you, and what do you hope listeners take from it?
Sure, Say it such as you imply it’s my debut Single & my track clarifies the significance of valuing one’s time and vitality whereas delivering a message about self-worth in addition to studying to learn between the traces by not at all times anticipating or wanting somebody to be direct & trustworthy about any circumstances. About 90% of communication is nonverbal or oblique. I’m a person & males usually make the primary transfer on a possible love curiosity. I’ve wrongly chased ladies up to now; I didn’t understand they weren’t & I acquired my emotions damage. I’m assured my track will resonate with lots of people. I would love my listeners to know {that a} sensible individual learns from their errors however a sensible individual learns from the errors of others.
Style constraints clearly don’t curiosity you, together with your music spanning all the pieces from funk and gentle rock to trance and metallic. Do you suppose audiences have gotten extra open to fluid genre-crossing, or do you continue to really feel resistance?
I believe individuals are most likely extra open to completely different genres of music. There nonetheless is/at all times shall be a bias in direction of sure genres, which is Human nature & that’s not likely a difficulty. For me, I’d discover it limiting if I used to be to concentrate on one, two and even three genres as a result of I have a look at music like MMA. Why ought to I exploit a number of parts after I can use as many as I need? Music is an artwork, artwork is an expression & that expression will imply various things to completely different individuals. All I’ve to do is market and promote my stuff in direction of the correct individuals who resonate with my artwork.
Rising up with particular wants, you confronted and overcame vital hurdles. Has that formed the way in which you navigate the music business, and do you are feeling a accountability to symbolize these with comparable experiences?
Rising up with Particular wants was a particularly tough expertise that I nonetheless battle with to this very day. Nevertheless, I’m coping with it; I’ll have my dangerous days & I’ll have my good days. I’ve personally learnt to embrace this as a result of it helps me total preserve my sanity & nobody is ideal. I’m not a machine, I’m a Human being & nothing in life is at all times excellent. My Particular wants have vastly formed my outlook in life. I’ve determined to channel this vitality for probably the most half in my music, not solely to blow off steam but additionally to musically assist individuals although at instances I battle to assist myself. Not solely is that this a message to myself, however it’s additionally a message to different individuals that you just’re not alone!! Music to me is like remedy; I actually love the euphoric feeling music provides me from Writing, Singing, Producing & Sound engineering, and many others. Music, at instances, makes me really feel so alive. Every little thing I’ve talked about on this interview is part of my model, therefore why I NEED to manifest this.
You’ve acquired your sights set on touring globally. What’s the final word imaginative and prescient to your dwell exhibits, and what can audiences anticipate once they see you on stage?
I actually can’t watch for this to occur. Briefly, my model will bodily replicate what I’m going to do on stage. The identical manner I hearken to different artists, I watch different artists carry out & something that’s treading, I both received’t be doing it or I’ll do my very own alteration of it. I don’t essentially must have the perfect performances. I’ll have performances that individuals shall be compelled to interact with. Watch this area.
Inform me a bit of bit about your cousin Deyaz (UK artist).
No downside. I’ll shortly go over a number of issues. Deyaz is my cousin who’s within the Music business as an Indie artist. Although we now not converse as he has stupidly reduce off the overwhelming majority of his members of the family in his life, aside from his mom. I wish to name this, I’ve made it syndrome. It’s good for him that he has acquired to the place he’s at initially, with no Music buzz; nevertheless, I’d say it’s very unhappy how he has handled this example. As a result of some individuals like myself who did assist him out acquired reduce off. Deyaz was by no means taught to be like this; he has or acquired a drink & medication habit. It’s pure choice. When my title begins getting on the market extra, I’ve promised myself I’d by no means stupidly lose my identification/model. I’ve heard of these items taking place to different artists. Me & Deyaz have been purported to collaborate however that by no means materialised.
I bear in mind I took Deyaz to the Hospital when he requested me to, when he confirmed up late to my mum’s place. I assumed one thing had occurred to him. I used to be considering of the worst-case situation. Deyaz even acquired punched by his personal brother for being “ungrateful” & all of the issues that have been finished for him. It appears extra like a character trait. If there are any setbacks in my life, I’ll strive very exhausting to take a look at issues as constructive to develop, develop, stay decided, take braveness & persevere. On a lighter observe, I used to be not too long ago in talks with Nines’s (UK Rapper) Music supervisor. Solely time will inform if something comes out of that.
Keep tuned for Stephan Folkes new releases on Instagram and TikTok.
Interview by Amelia Vandergast