Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A: My name is Steve and I am from Coventry in UK. I am a singer songwriter creative person and have been playing guitar since I was 14. I was actually very ill when I was about 10 and had a lot of time off school and this led to me learning guitar as a positive thing to do when I was away from school. As I child I was often surrounded by music, although no one in my family played any instruments. I always enjoyed music at church or listening to my Dad’s records!
Q: How are you planning on growing your fan base and sharing your music with the world? What message do you have for anyone who is about to discover “Stylusboy”?
A: I have just released a brand new collection of songs called ‘Back in the Day’ and you can find my music on all the streaming and download platforms. Bandcamp is the best place to buy my music from and you can get my handmade CDs from there too.
If you enjoy strong melodies, guitar based songs with harmonies you will like my work. I am influenced by people like Anais Mitchell, John Smith, Elliot Smith and recently my sound has develop to exploring more electronic sounds a bit like Owl City, Athlete, and Radiohead.
Q: Who is the most inspiring artist for you right now? And where do you find inspiration for making music?
A: I am listening to a lot of Scott Matthews music at the moment, I love his work and how his sound has developed over the years.
I find inspiration is all sorts of places. It can be from other artists but also from things I see or here too.
Q: Can you tell us about the story or message behind the EP, “Back in the Day.”?
A: Back in the Day is a collection of 6 songs that I wrote in 2022 through a project where I worked with a charity in Coventry called Good Neighbours who support lonely and isolated older people. I met 6 of amazing people and listened to their life stories and memories which I then used as inspiration for the songs. From a courageous WWII airman who was shot down over enemy lines, to a wonderful lady who arrived in the UK from Jamaica to see snow for the first time and a kind-hearted women who had tea with Queen Elizabeth II, all the songs tell the tales of these inspiring Coventry people.
The message behind the EP is really that everyone has a story to tell, every is special and unique and sometimes all anyone wants it to be seen and heard.
Q: How would you describe your sound in one word for potential listeners?
A: Gosh, one word is hard! Warm-hearted. (is that cheating?!)
Q: Did you face any challenges while writing or recording “Back in the Day”?
A: Writing the songs was challenges as I was writing them under a tight deadline! I was able to get some funding to work on the project and so I was working on a deadline for that! It helped the creative process for sure!
I recorded the majority of the EP myself in my home studio with the help of a couple of friends who recorded some extra parts remotely. I think one of the biggest challenges when recording yourself is to make sure you step back and reflect on what you are working on. At times I got lost down a rabbit hole of electronic synths and beats!
Q: What is the message of your music? And what are your goals as an artist?
A: A lot of my songs are inspired by challenges and then overcoming them so I guess a lot of what I try and write about is resilience and determination. There is always hope in the darkness and sometimes we have to focus on the light to bring us through.
My goals are to keep releasing songs that I love and connect with people. This for me is success.
Q: Who is your dream artist to collaborate with? (dead or alive)
A: Gosh, that is another tricky one! Maybe Paul McCartney or Brian Wilson from The Beach Boys mainly because of their incredible ability to great amazing songs but also not being afraid to experiment.
Q: What is your advice for people interested in pursuing music as a career or for those trying to enter the industry?
A: I think I would say learn as much as you can! Play live, write as many songs as you can, set yourself deadlines and use some trusted friends to give you feedback. Don’t rush to release your music straight away!
Q: If you could go back in time and give a younger you some words of wisdom, what would they be?
A: Keep going, take your time, don’t rush, be yourself and stay steady.
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