A new release from Steph takes you for a ride into a unique and edgy pop world that feels alluring, ambient and smooth as it all comes through with a passionate sheen over everything.
"Under My Bed" has an amazing set of lyrics that complement each other line after line and it's all built into this estranged pop sound that incorporates a swagger ridden vocal approach, rock guitars, and an outside the box songwriting style.
The track actually breathes and swells as it plays on, and it's just got this thing about it that makes it different. It's addictive in its own way.
When it's over, you just have to play it again so you can really soak it all in properly.
It's very smart and displays such an envelope pushing and deepening way of songwriting that portrays descriptive and vivid imagery and comes from an emotionally driven platform.
This was so cool and refreshing as a whole. You haven't heard too much like this and it is pop indeed but there is so much more to it.
With such a killer release, we wanted to have a chat with Steph to find out where this all came from and what may be next.
RAG: Okay so let's start with "Under My Bed". The track has such a very cool genre mending style to it! Where did this single come from?
Thank you I really appreciate it. The whole brand now is what I call “Hood Nirvana”. I tried rnb, soul, hip-hop and a few other genres but once I added a rock element things started to feel so much better. I settled on “Hood Nirvana” because my music is about understanding who you are in your space (mental, emotional, and physical space). So the brand reflects the same I as a black man am looked at a certain way no matter what I do or where I am but I am still chasing “nirvana” as everyone else an need that release.
RAG: So how did this all begin for you really? When did you fall in love with making music?
I’ve always been in love with music honestly. I have been writing songs since I was very young what you see now is the culmination of lessons learned through sports (I played college football) and a continued very specific consumption of music. I grew up with an appreciation for all types of music. I was an avid listener of jazz (Miles Davis, Duke Ellington) but my mother also played a lot of Seal and Prince ( I think that’s where the rockstar in me comes from )
RAG: What inspires you to write a song?
My biggest inspiration in my music is life. The words we say, the things we do, and most importantly why we do them. I was always a very curious person so my music allows me to ask those questions and propose those ideas that In everyday conversation a person may find off putting or obscure.
RAG: What are you doing when you're NOT working on music?
When I’m not making music I am usually working with another creative on how to build their brand. I graduated my undergrad with a degree in public relations and I am finishing up my master now in digital media. I use a lot of the experiences I had in school talking with artists about “who they are” and what they want to present to their audience.
RAG: Who are you listening to right now?
Right now I listening to a lot of contemporary folk music. The guitar and slow vibed out pace is so soothing to me. Jensen McRae and Bibi Bourelly are a couple of my favorite artists right now. Their story telling abilities and self awareness needed to articulate their perspective is amazing.
RAG: you doing live performances?
I have been doing a lot more live performances my main goal in the coming months is to perform a lot more consistently. I am working on finding the pieces I need to play with a band and become comfortable with them an them with me so playing our shows becomes second nature.
RAG: This single seems like a big undertaking. What kind of advice might you have for other up and coming artists out there?
The biggest piece of advice I could give artists trying to find their way is to learn yourself. No one has ever done what you can do because we are all unique and we should take extreme pride in that.
RAG: Before we go, what would you like to say to fans of the music?
I want to thank Recording Artist Guild for your interest in me and encouraging words and I just want to thank everyone who will listen to my music “THIS IS HOOD NIRVANA”