Budding multi-instrumentalist Stevan kicked off the year strong with a run of supporting performances on Omar Apollo’s Australian tour. Backed by nearly 200,000 monthly Spotify listeners and nearly two million plays on his debut single “Timee”, the young Wollongong-based artist is keeping the ball rolling with the release of his first mixtape, ‘Just Kids’.
In the midst of the unexpected season of social distancing and quarantine, we chatted with Stevan about his new project, using virtual space to form new connections with fans, and making music that matters.
Best Before: Hey, man! Where are you at the moment?
Stevan: I’m just at home at the moment! I was just working on a song, actually.
How’s quarantine been treating you?
It was a little disappointing at first because we had a lot of stuff lined up. But things just took a 360, and I put my head down and got to work making music. I’ve been putting out a lot of content, covers, and it’s been really exciting seeing my social media grow. I’ve been building a relationship with the fans because of all the content that’s been released in the latter half of this season and it’s been great being able to flip the switch and make the best of the situation.
“It feels more like there’s a community with my fans forming now instead of just being an artist that makes music.”
I got to see the conversation you and Ruel had on IG live. That was really interesting to see and how you guys were able to break things down in a personal way.
Yeah that was really fun! He’s super down to earth and getting to know him a little bit better has been a plus side. I never really thought about how many musicians my age that I’m not in contact with. So I’m fortunate to know him and ask for advice even though he’s younger than me. He’s got that experience in the field so it’s been really cool.
What stood out to me in that was seeing your personality shine in it! I’ve seen you play a couple times live in the past, and it’s been really interesting seeing more of your personality coming through your social media.
Thanks for rocking up to the shows, man! That was one thing I noticed, too. Because my fans are starting to see to who I am as a person, it compliments my music well. It’s the first time I’ve seen fan pages being opened and content being made about me. So seeing the fans pairing my music and who I am together has been really nice. It feels more like there’s a community with my fans forming now instead of just being an artist that makes music, I love that it’s more personal now.
With coronavirus unexpectedly changing things for everyone, how has this season affected your creativity?
Isolation gave me time to properly sit down and work on things that I wouldn’t have had time for if I was doing my shows. I’ve been sharpening my vocals. Music output’s been crazy. I feel like there’ll be more music to be made and released out of this period, which will be more exciting for the fans!
“I’m excited for people to have questions. That’s what I want.”
What are some of the things you’re most excited to bring to your live shows once we get back to normal?
Ever since quarantine, I’ve been working on my voice which was one thing I always said I wanted to work on, but didn’t set time aside for. I project a lot better now and I’m able to maximise it, getting the sound and intricacies that I’m looking for.
My team and I’ve built an in-ears rig for the live set as well as heaps of other things that’ve been happening in the background. It’s a shame that it’ll take a little longer before we can bring it out for the live set, but it’ll be sweet when we get back to live shows! I used to have stage fright and I was uncertain in the past because I didn’t have a real relationship with the crowd and fans yet. There’s some material that I know will go off live so I can’t wait.
You’ve mentioned how you’re inspired by Frank Ocean, Childish Gambino, Pharrell Williams and Bob Marley, to name a few. If you could have three of your favourite artists hop on a track, who would you choose and why?
I would definitely want to have Frank Ocean on the track. In the past decade, he’s been one of those artists who’s able to capture emotions in his songs really well. I was listening to “Chanel” and I was reading it with the lyrics. I was blown away — these lyrics made me feel so much. Seeing how Frank does that so well, I’d love to work with him.
I’d love to work with Pharell as a producer. He’s in his pocket, he’s been in his game for a long time. He could take my sound to a whole ‘nother level and bring things out in my sound that I wouldn’t have thought of before.
Stevie Wonder would be another guy I’d love to work with. I think he’d add on to the visual storytelling aspect, like with Frank. I listen to tracks like “Lately” and “You And I” and he’s so good at visual imagery and the storytelling he can bring out, without being able to see, racks my brain. He has such a beautiful way with words, that I’d love to work with him on a song. They’d be my dream team, ha!
How do you feel you’re going with creating imagery and world-building in your soundscape?
I feel I’ve really stepped up this year. A lot of the music I’ve put out to date has been me trying to capture and articulate my emotions.. Some of the songs that I’m putting out this year are more in tune with still expressing my feelings through lyrics that everyone can understand. I’m excited for people to have questions. That’s what I want.
I want to sit down and have straightforward answers for people who have questions about my music and the lyrical side of the work I’m putting out this year. I can’t wait for everyone to hear it. I’m nowhere near Stevie, he’s the GOAT. But I’m stepping up and growing in that field.
“I’m putting more honour on things that I used to write off in the past.”
Did you start off lyrically or building a soundscape for your mixtape?
For the mixtape I started building it around the music first. I’ve been meaning to develop my production skills and you’ll hear a lot of different sonic influences. I devoted a lot of time to build the sound to help me express what I want to express. It’s a therapeutic thing for me. When the music speaks, it’s the easiest thing for me. It’s hard for me to express with pen and paper. But with music, I can tweak it and adjust it. I used to be uncertain about tackling certain topics head on when I was younger, but I’ve been able to work around that. The ‘Just Kids’ mixtape is heavily driven by the music and instrumental. The lyrics and soundscape go hand in hand.
When it came to finalising the tracks on the mixtape, how many were left on the cutting room floor?
Bro, no joke. If I was going through all the demos I’ve sent, there’d be way too many to mention. But if we’re talking about songs that were up for serious consideration, there were quite a few. My team and I decided to release some of these unreleased demos in a special release for those who have the mixtape pre-saved. There were so many ideas that I had, but the final tracks on the mixtape were intentionally selected since they hit home on certain topics and vibe wise, they made the most sense to me.
What’s your personal favourite track on the mixtape?
It’s always changing but my personal favourite track at the moment is either “Take It Slow” or “On My Mind”. When I first put out “On My Mind”, I was a little unsure and I was asking myself, “Is this too much?”, since the structural progression of this song was different.
It’s a lot of fun to take musical risks. That song means a lot to me. When I wrote it, we were at a BIGSOUND round of shows. I was processing how just a few months earlier in the year I was in a whole different headspace. I was unsure about music and I had to make a quick decision on whether I was going to pursue it or not. I was reflecting on how quickly things took off when I decided to go all in with it. That song to me brings me back to being in that hotel room alone and writing on a hotel notepad.
“I want to make meaningful music that matters to the people who listen to my music.”
If you had to compare yourself from then and where you are now, what are the biggest changes you’ve seen?
Attitude. My attitude’s changed. When I wrote that song last year, I was in the headspace of putting my head down and I thought there was a certain way of making things happen. Having done a lot of shows since, I’ve seen what the industry’s like, and from that I’m putting more honour on things that I used to write off in the past. Now I see it as work that I love, that I need to constantly hone. I now appreciate the journey and realise that it’s a process.
I wanted to have a lot more success and hype around me. Now, I don’t mind if it’s chill. I want to make meaningful music that matters to the people who listen to my music. I want people to care about me as much as they care about my music. I want people to grow with me. My songs are personal. I write my own music and produce my own music. It’s something I want people to care about. I want people to care about me rather than just having a lot of hype.
I’m being a lot more honest and open now, the person I am now on social media gives off the same energy as if you’d meet me in person. In the past, I was really trying to build an image as a musician and now I’m realising that being true to myself and presenting myself with an air of authenticity has been the best change for me.
With the restrictions slowly easing, what song are you most excited to perform live for your fans?
“Tripping”. It’s the most vulnerable song for me. If people get to listen to this song on repeat during this season and build a relationship with it… In the process of creating the track, only me and my band have heard and felt what we’re expressing on the track. Having people feel emotionally connected to my music is something I love, and I’d love to bring that vulnerable and emotional song to a live set and see how it translates.
Check out ‘Just Kids’ here: