Our sound can be best describes ad Electro, Soul, Pop.
Your music has an experimental tone. Should music as a form of art always challenge the listener?
Yes its been a long time coming but I always believe it should challenge the listeners but also give them something new and unexpected that way their go on a journey of discovery as you tell the story in song form of sound and words.
What is the main topic of your lyrics?
The main topic is about love and friendship.
Do you have an artist that you would describe as a hidden gem that we should know about?
Amber Oliver I absolutely love her voice.
What would you change in the music industry?
I wouldn’t change anything about it, I would just stay away from it looool
What was the best film you have watched during the quarantine?
thats a hard one I love movies, but I would say it has to be the Disney animation movie soul.
Future plans?
im writing more music and will be putting a mixtape and an ep out soon, and hopefully a few gigs in the pipeline.
Your sound has a nostalgic touch. What is your creative process like? And what is the main idea behind your last single?
My creative process usually involves me sitting at the piano and improvising until I come up with something that catches my ear. Once I’ve found that golden progression or melody I can start to build up the essence of the song.
Lyrically ‘Sun Affair’ is a summer song through and through. It’s ultimately about heading down to your favourite spot with your mates and having some beers. It’s those times when you put everything in your life aside to enjoy those golden afternoons under the sun.
What comes first in your music? Lyrics or music?
When I write it’s usually the music first but for this track I actually had the chorus lyrics down before I went near a piano.
Do you have an artist that you would describe as a hidden gem that we should know about?
Tatsuro Yamashita, the king of City Pop! He’s not a hidden gem in certain circles (especially in Japan) but not as known as he should be. Tyler the Creator even sampled him recently so he is out there but is definitely worth a deep dive.
What would you change in the music industry?
I’d love to see more focus put on intricate songwriting and arranging rather than image and spectacle.
What was the best film you have watched during the quarantine?
Well I definitely watched a lot of average movies during quarantine and they have their place but the best movie I watched was ‘Midsommar’. Super unsettling and creepy but in a real slow-burn kind of way. Don’t watch with dinner!
One last thing we should know about you?
I also compose contemporary classical music under my actual name Wesley Stormer. It’s pretty different from my Sun Affair stuff but feel free to check it out.
This new EP was written mainly for myself, its about accepting past trauma, even if you’re not ready to move on. I gave myself a challenge to push my boundaries and write in a genre I love but never thought I could accomplish.
Which song of the EP reflects you the most?
Definitely ‘Lemon’, I overthink a lot and I’m a very emotional person, but I’m also very stubborn and don’t let people in easily! The song is just about this pattern of behaviour I’ve got myself into.
Artists and people who have influenced and inspired you?
I’m always inspired by a lot of artists, but my biggest inspirations are Bjork, Kate Bush, Faye Wong, Leah Dou, Damon Albarn and Florence and the Machine. Although, for this EP I was particularly inspired by Miles Davis and Mavis Fan.
What would you change in the music industry?
The biggest thing I would change about the music industry is how difficult it is to get heard, I hope in the future streaming services do more for smaller artists.
If you were asked to rescore a film, which one would you choose?
Probably ‘House’ (1997), its my favourite horror movie of all time and theres a piano composition called “In The Evening Mist” in the movie that I absolutely adore. But the movie is so crazy and out there, I would love to see what I could do!
What is the one habit/thing you cannot live without?
The one thing I couldn’t live without would definitely be my laptop, it’s an extension of me at this point.
Tell us a few things about your new song. What is the story behind it?
Proud is my mantra! It’s a song I wrote to my future self to show me how far I’ve come, both creatively and in my personal life. I wanted to uplift myself and others through lyrics like “I achieve me on the daily” because I’m proud to be my authentic self every single day.
It touches upon theme of self-identity, sexuality and the heart-breaking reality of not feeling accepted for who you are by the ones that are meant to unconditionally. Growing up I often felt pushed into performing live, or entering singing competitions. It felt shallow, rather than enjoyable, even when I was holding a trophy. I’ve learned that each performance doesn’t have to be perfect, and I don’t have to be either, It’s about authentic entertaining. That personal growth is what I’m most PROUD of!
For which lyric you are most proud of?
‘I achieve me on the daily, most day’s I don’t even hate me’
Favourite album of the past decade?
Skip Marley’s ‘Higher Place’. I can have it on repeat for a week.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced as an artist so far?
I think an obvious one is financing your work without a label etc. A less obvious one but one that was quite a shock to my system is the transition between being unknown and just writing songs in my bedroom for years, to feeling like fan’s came out of nowhere all at once.
What was the best film you have watched during the quarantine?
‘Quincy’ the film about Quincy Jones took me three sittings because I was so mindblown over his life.
Should we expect an album in the near future?
I’ve got a couple singles and more collaborations lined up and in production for the rest of this year, but no album plans just yet.
Tell us a few things about your new song. What is the main idea behind it?
freedom. I wrote this song as a way to escape this crazy time we had.
Which is your most personal and honest lyric?
from my first single, Maboy, “we know this wont end nice/ so ill try harder/ in hiding my heart eyes” i catch myself and my friends trying to hide our affection towards whoever we are into at the time, in order to not scare them away, or to not get hurt, and this lyric is how i see myself doing just that.
What do you enjoy most? Writing music or performing your music live?
I enjoy both for different reasons. Writing music gives me peace of mind, it’s how I process everything I’m going through, but performing live gives other people a way of connecting with me and it’s a kind of communication that is so special.
Which book should we read while listening to your music?
ill be cliche and say a coming of age book, maybe perks of being a wallflower, or looking for alaska.
What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?
I have no idea. I have had a plan for my life from such a young age, that I never thought of doing something else. so i think that if i wasn’t making music then i’d be travelling and looking for what excites me in the world.
Tell us a few things about your new song. What is the main idea behind it?
Ceramic started as a full instrumental I wrote while on a 70’s soul kick. It started as just a slow jam drum beat with those big echoing chords and grew from there! Danny heard it and vibed with it so he wrote & sang the lyrics/vocals that you hear. Here’s his snippet on the lyrics!
“Ceramic explores the aftermath of a broken relationship, being left with painful happy memories that surface when the mind wanders, and wondering whether the person you once loved is haunted by the same thoughts.”
I had originally envisioned the song as more of a sexy love track but love the mood Danny took it too.
Do you like the idea of collaborating? Is songwriting a lonely process?
I love the idea of collaborating, in the same sense as I love improv comedy. The best thing about music is feeding off each other’s creative ideas/energy and when with the right people it becomes magical!
I love songwriting as it is a release / escape from everything, where your mind can just be with the music. Releasing songs under your own name as a DIY musician can be a bit of a lonely process though as it can become a bit of a silo in terms of doing it all yourself but that’s where working with the right people comes into play (not paying big bucks to hire these people I mean finding other people that are passionate about the tunes). You know when you’ve found your people, be it other musicians, video/graphic artists, management etc. as it’ll become a team effort
What do you enjoy most? Writing music or performing your music live?
Performing live is definitely the most enthralling part of it. Seeing an audience react to your songs in a positive way is one of the best feelings on the planet. Also improvising with other musicians in front of an audience is scary at first but quickly becomes the most addicting part of it all.
Writing music has it’s place as well in terms of discovering sounds and the feeling of when a song comes together, but the live bit after is the cherry on top.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced as an artist so far?
Would definitely be the PR aspect of it. There’s a lot of business people in the music industry that don’t see it through an artist lens and prey on up and coming artists with promises of exposure at a high cost and have no responsibility on if anything comes of it. But I guess it’s twofold that when you encounter someone who really connects from the artist perspective then it’s like finding gold.
Which book should we read while listening to your music?
As I write a lot with different musicians and segue between different styles of music I’d say one where there’s multiple characters telling their stories and there’s a common thread between them where they all connect. One that comes to mind that I read awhile ago is Bright Shiny Morning by James Frey.
You’d give up making music for…
to be a photographer for National Geographic! I recently read The Dolphins Tooth by Bruce Kirkby, which is an incredible account of all the trips he has done before/during working for National Geographic. You’ve gotta read the book to get a sense of it but as I love music so much it would only be these adventures of a lifetime that could get me to give it up.
Tell us a few things about your new song. What is the main idea behind it?
It’s a “fuck you” to anyone who makes you feel like you’re not good enough or makes you wait around for them when they are just playing a game. The main hook “Boy get in your car and drive” is basically saying, “Boy, get lost and go”. Getting rid of any negative energy that you were feeling!
Do you like the idea of collaborating? Is songwriting a lonely process?
I love collaborating when I can. I enjoy working with others, I know I can learn more about my songwriting process and production so when I get the chance to collab with someone I always try and say yes. I personally don’t find songwriting lonely because it’s my way of getting out my emotions and feelings that I sometimes don’t know how else to journal, so songwriting to me is that open journal.
Artists and people who have influenced and inspired you?
James Blake – his music is just something else. Old music by strong females like Aretha Franklin, Billie Holiday, Etta James. Indie artists that I randomly find on Spotify which I end up playing on repeat, day to day tasks, hearing others conversations whilst on a bus, my own experiences that I’ve had during my time.. SOOOOO many things inspire me.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced as an artist so far?
My biggest challenge so far…. hmm, I think that has to be standing out amongst so many amazing artists. It’s hard to feel like you’re doing well as so many other talented people are doing the same thing. I just hope I have a unique voice or unique sound that people just know it’s me.
Favorite film ever?
Favourite film… I have too many.
What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?
Ooooh, this is a good question. I honestly don’t know. I love interior design so perhaps something to do with that?
Tell us a few things about your new song. What is the story behind it?
There’s light and dark to every relationship. Waves is about the darker side. Sometimes tumultuous relationships can seem like an addiction. You get the highest of the highs, and the lowest of the lows. I was trying to capture that “push, pull” feeling.
Do you like the idea of collaborating? Is songwriting a lonely process?
I love collaborating! Waves was actually co-written with my friend Carrie Busuttil who lives in London. Co-writing been a great way to keep connected during COVID. I actually helped run an international songwriting group that banded together artists from around the world during lockdown. Now I have this huge network of artists that I never would have met or been able to work with. I think a project only gets stronger when you have more than one head in the game.
Artists and people who have influenced and inspired you?
There have been so so many! My biggest influences growing up were Bonnie Raitt, The Police, Madonna, and Whitney Houston. I knew every word and every vocal embellishment. They have definitely shaped my style, but music would not have been possible without the support of my family. They have always been my biggest inspirations and my biggest cheerleaders. I think it’s much easier as an artist to take risks when you have that kind of support behind you.
What would you change in the music industry?
I would make it easier for new artists to break in. It’s so hard to get your music heard as an independent artist unless you have a label or lot of money backing you. If you need an example just turn on the radio- you’ll hear the same 15-20 artists on almost every station.
In which state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?
On a long drive, a walk, making dinner, or if they’re just feeling a bit sentimental.
This new album is a deep dive into my head. Sonically and lyrically you can see that. It’s personal at times, then it’s poppy and catchy at others and I think that speaks volumes on who I am as a person. I also see as art as a time capsule, it has the power to capture a time in someone’s life and that is so cool to me, for example this project captures my summer of 2021.
Which song of the album reflects you the most?
I think my song “INCONSISTENT” represents me the most. Making decisions are hard and I am the worst at making them as well. It always seems like my opinions and desirables are changing and that can be a frustrating thing, so that’s why I think I resonate with it the most.
Artists and people who have influenced and inspired you?
I am heavily inspired by people like Kanye West, Tyler the Creator and Mac Miller when it comes to the way they go about making music. For the actual music I like to be inspired by old music, like 70s Pakistani music, 90’s R&B, and people like Billy Paul and Al Green.
What would you change in the music industry?
I would change the Grammy’s. Just make them legit, they need to be rewarding the people that deserve it the most.
Favorite music related film?
My favorite music related film is La La Land, the colors and music in that movie are so pretty and pleasing to my ears and eyes I love it. Also the story of sacrifice and achieving what you want, are my favorite type of stories so it is a no brainer for me.
What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?
Most likely something with Film/ Cinema, I love stories and filmmaking just as much as I love music and I’m good at it too. I make all my own music videos with my friend Yolanda Darkins and they are hella tight.
HipHop Paranoia 