Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A: Hello Hanna,
Thank you for your warm welcome!!
Performing at the age of 11 was both nerve-wracking and exhilarating—it truly shaped my passion for Music. That experience solidified my desire to pursue a Music career, and over time, I expanded into Dance and Music production etc. I began writing my own songs at 13, with my first composition, Incomplete, now featured on my upcoming debut Album, Hazard!!
While I did receive some professional guidance early on, I often felt I needed more direction. As someone with Special needs, I spent much of my time figuring out who I am, who I want to be, and where I’m headed. Over time, I realized the importance of embracing my true self and surrounding myself with those who support my identity and vision. I am not afraid to stand out, even if it means being perceived as “different” or unconventional. To me, it’s a testament to staying true to my instincts.
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 “Stephan Folkes”?
A: By growing my fan base and sharing my Music, my approach is deeply rooted in staying true to my individuality. My slogans (Visionist & King of fantasy) aren’t just part of my brand—they amplify my non-conformist mindset. I’ve already received feedback from listeners who describe my music as “different,” and when I hear that, I know I’m on the right path. That’s exactly what I want. I refuse to create generic Music because to me, it lacks creativity and plays it too safe. This mindset is one of the reasons I have such strong reservations about Major record labels. They push their artists to follow trends that they themselves create, which stifles artistic freedom.
The Major labels prioritize marketing and promotional tactics to dictate what people should like, rather than allowing the Music to speak for itself and letting the audience form their own perspectives. For me, that approach doesn’t align with my vision for growth and artistic authenticity. I want to evolve as an artist on my own terms, and I’m excited for my journey to unfold.
Ultimately, my brand and my Music is a reflection on who I am—authentic and unafraid to break away from the norm. Just as I listen to and watch other artists, I’m not really interested on following trends. I’ll either avoid them altogether or put my own spin on them. I don’t need to have the “best” performances, but I want my performances to be compelling, leaving people engaged and wanting more. Watch this space—there’s so much more to come!!
Q: Who is the most inspiring artist for you right now? And where do you find inspiration for making music?
A: In short, my biggest influence is Michael Jackson, as no other artist has the skills to give me the same level of goosebumps and emotional impact that he does!!
Furthermore, I’m really glad you’ve asked this question, as it allows me to share how deeply I draw inspiration from Music history. The artists of the 60s to the 80s—while before my time—are where I find the most impactful and authentic Music. A lot of artists back then, were very ground-breaking, and they took risks to express their true selves, often guided by their instincts. This is something I try to emulate in my own Music. I don’t need to reach their level of greatness, but even a fraction of what they achieved would make me proud. Their courage to be unique has influenced me to carve out my own sound, which helps keep my Music and brand distinct from what’s currently being produced by other artists.
When people listen to my Music, particularly my vocals, they often mention legends like Prince, the Bee Gees, MJ, and George Michael—artists who took bold chances and changed the Music landscape. Billie Eilish is another artist that resonates with me. I admire her sound, and as a contemporary figure, it’s important to recognize her influence. When fans discover an artist, they often look to their inspirations to understand more about the artist’s brand. If their inspirations align with my own, it can create a connection and increases the chances for them to support me & my Music.
Unfortunately, many of the artists I admire are no longer with us. But when I create my Music, I often feel like I’m paying tribute to these greats who shaped not only my Music but my entire outlook on life.
Q: Can you tell us about the story or message behind the song, “Say it like you mean it.”?
A: “‘Say It Like You Mean It’ is my debut Single, and it conveys the importance of valuing one’s time and energy. The song highlights self-worth and encourages learning to read between the lines, recognizing that not all communication is direct. In fact, about 90% of communication is nonverbal and/or indirect. As a man, I’ve experienced situations where I pursued someone despite subtle signs they weren’t interested, and it left me hurt. I believe this song will resonate with many, especially those who’ve experienced similar situations. My message to listeners is that while a smart person learns from their own mistakes, a wise person learns from the mistakes of others.
Q: How would you describe your sound in one word for potential listeners?
A: Unconventional.
Q: Did you face any challenges while writing or recording “Say it like you mean it”?
A: I did face some challenges while writing and recording ‘Say It Like You Mean It.’ At the time, I was still figuring out my brand and how I wanted to present myself to the World, while also navigating away from the temptation to follow popular trends. Ultimately, though, I’m incredibly proud on what I’ve accomplished with the song and the direction I have taken.
Q: What is the message of your music? And what are your goals as an artist?
A: The message of my Music is usually centred around individuality, self-worth, self-investment, uplifting and empowerment. Life has taught me that there’s too much negativity in this World, which only reinforces my ‘non-sheep’ mentality. too many people are conditioned by external forces, and it’s crucial for individuals to invest in themselves in order to grow and develop. When people do this, they often realize that many challenges are by design. My goal is to inspire others to break free from the cycle of misinformation and become the best versions of themselves. While I don’t claim to be perfect—since everyone makes mistakes—I aim to back up my words with actions, particularly through my Music.
Q: Who is your dream artist to collaborate with? (dead or alive)
A: MJ.
Q: What is your advice for people interested in pursuing music as a career or for those trying to enter the industry?
A: My advice is simple: Never give up!! Block out the negativity from those who tell you, you can’t make it & it’s just a hobby. Stay true to your vision, embrace your creativity and strive to be as unique as possible. The more you stand out, the more you’ll build your own path in the Music industry.
Q: If you could go back in time and give a younger you some words of wisdom, what would they be?
A: Embrace your childhood and live each moment to the fullest, because one day, you’ll look back and wish you had cherished it more.
Q: Tell me a little bit about your cousin Deyaz (UK artist).
A: Deyaz is my cousin and an independent artist from the UK. Although we no longer communicate—largely due to him distancing himself from most of his family, except his mother—he has achieved success early on, especially considering he got signed without any Music buzz. However, it’s unfortunate how the situation unfolded, as some people in the family have supported him have been cut off. This behaviour isn’t reflective on how was raised, and he does struggle with addiction: Alcohol and Drugs. It’s a sad reality, but I guess it’s ‘natural selection.’
Although Deyaz and I were supposed to collaborate at one point, that never materialized. I remember a time when he asked me to take him to the Hospital, he came to my mum’s House in distress late at night, I was worried something had happened to him. He even faced conflict within his own Family, with his brother punching him in his Face over his ingratitude. It seems that a lot of what has happened stems from Deyaz’s deeper personal issues.
For me, any setbacks in my life only fuels my determination to stay positive, grow, and persevere. I’m committed to never losing sight of my identity or my brand, even as I gain recognition in the Music industry. I’ve seen how other artists have been affected by success in unhealthy ways, and I won’t let that happen to me. On a lighter note, I’ve recently had discussions with Nines’s Music manager, and I’m hopeful that something may come from it. Only time will tell…
