MusicsWeek: What has been the most rewarding part of your journey as an artist so far?
Sean Stephens: I’ve spent years pouring myself into songs that only a few people heard, only to discover that now, suddenly, millions are hearing it on social media. It still amazes me that last year 60 people had me as their number one artist on Spotify this year. That might sound small on some grand scale, but for me, each of those 60 feels like a sparkling miracle. ONE listener having me as their number one artist would have been fine—60 is unbelievable. That genuine, artist connection is the most astonishing reward of all. I can die happy.
MusicsWeek: How do you connect with new listeners and grow your audience?
Sean Stephens: I’ve tried every experiment under the sun, but Instagram and TikTok remain the surest channels to pull in attention these days. The funny twist is that most people on those platforms still won’t take the next step to allow me on Spotify, but enough do—thousands, in fact—and that’s how I ended up with around 6,000 regular listeners. It feels like finding new friends, each stepping into the room, curious about the sounds I’m making.
MusicsWeek: What’s the most unforgettable live performance experience you’ve had?
Sean Stephens: Opening for I Mother Earth before 30,000 people were electrifying, but I’ll never forget the time we played in the pouring rain at a wedding and nearly fried all our gear. Then there were the backyard shows, intimate and spontaneous, where you could see people’s faces only a few feet away. At a sort of “Canadian Burning Man” in Sault Ste. Marie, I met free spirits who danced like they had no tomorrow. I’ve also performed in living rooms so hushed you could hear the music echo in every corner. Each setting offered its own brand of magic.
MusicsWeek: What’s something about the music industry you’ve learned the hard way?
Sean Stephens: Making music itself is only about 10% of the entire process. The rest is a whirlwind of promotion, branding, and managing relationships. On top of that, the industry runs on emotional currency—everyone’s deeply attached to what they create or contribute, so misunderstandings spring up easily. People assume that once they’ve put in their part, everything is set, but songs often continue evolving long after the moment of recording.
MusicsWeek: If you had the chance to work with any artist, living or gone, who would it be and why?
Sean Stephens: Michael Hedges. He was this otherworldly guitarist whose music felt like it vibrated through a different dimension. Tragically, he died in a car accident, leaving an aching void. I can only imagine the kind of creative exchange that might have happened had we been in the same room, sharing riffs and inspirations.
MusicsWeek: What exciting projects or releases do you have coming up?
Sean Stephens: Tomorrow, I’m releasing a track called “Mamkhulu,” and it’s tied to a life-altering event. My children and I (and my mother, Mamkhulu) were kidnapped last year, and bizarrely, I wrote the lyrics before it happened—almost like a premonition. Realizing how the lines fit that real experience was chilling, so this song is especially personal and raw.
MusicsWeek: Is there a specific festival, concert, or city you dream of performing in?
Sean Stephens: I’ve played so many shows over the years—sometimes four or eight sets a week—that the idea of getting on stage now can feel a bit intimidating. Still, I catch myself dreaming of performing at that giant new orb-shaped venue in Las Vegas. Maybe I’d open for U2, or even better, maybe they’d open for me. Let’s go!
MusicsWeek: Do you see yourself sticking with your current genre, or are you open to experimenting with new styles?
Sean Stephens: I’ve never truly fit into one genre. I guess you could call me genre-neutral or genre-fluid. People say that’s a reason my music is taking longer to find its audience, but I don’t mind. I love rock, pop, world music, hip-hop—any flavor that excites me. If I want to write a flamenco track tomorrow, I will. Music is supposed to be an open field, not a closed box.
MusicsWeek: What kind of impact do you hope your music will have on your audience?
Sean Stephens: I’m looking to connect with those who resonate with the feelings I pour into my songs. I’m not out to preach or solve the world’s problems, just to share glimpses of life that might make someone else think, “I feel that too.” If, through that shared emotion, we all become a bit more caring, so be it.
MusicsWeek: Ultimately, what’s your biggest dream or goal as an artist?
Sean Stephens: I want the art to sustain itself so I can keep creating without feeling guilty or having to shortchange other responsibilities. I’d love to pour more energy into collaborating, producing, and experimenting, but life and finances often demand balance. The ultimate dream is that my music becomes a wellspring, funding and sparking further creativity while also supporting the people around me.
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