To coincide with the launch of his debut album, we caught an interview with the unique London vocalist and songwriter Stephan Folkes, to find out more about the creative process and inspiration for Hazard, and his journey so far in music. Here’s the conversation in full.
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Hi Stephan – great to finally chat with you, congrats on the new album. To introduce things, who or what first inspired you to make music?
There are quite a few reasons, but the main one was performing in a school play. The euphoric feeling I got from being on stage and singing was unforgettable—it lit something in me. I was also deeply influenced by the greatest artist of all time, Michael Jackson. No one else gives me goosebumps like he does—he’s on another level. Music quickly became my therapy; it gave me a sense of release and deep satisfaction. That initial spark from the stage performance helped lay the foundation, and everything else followed from there.
Your vocal style is boldly distinct. How did you hone this approach over time, and did you get much feedback from your family and peers when developing such an interesting style?
Vocally, I’ve always been inspired by the greats—George Michael, Prince, Michael Jackson, the Bee Gees—and a contemporary artist like Billie Eilish. Early on, someone at one of my previous workplaces constructively pointed out that I should develop a distinct vocal identity, or vocal branding. As time went on and I studied the voice and performance more thoroughly, I began shaping a sound that reflects both my influences and my own instincts.
What you hear in my music today is the result of that process. I know it won’t resonate with everyone, but no artist does, and I take that as part of my journey. I’m always pushing myself and never resting on past achievements. I love exploring different vocal styles—dark pop, rock, soul, funk, and more—while keeping a clear sense of who I am as an artist.
Before we dive deeper into your music and brand, can you tell us about your cousin Deyaz, the UK artist, and Mizzy, the UK prankster?
My cousin Deyaz is also a UK artist. Although we’re no longer in contact, watching someone from my own bloodline carve their own path in music shaped my perspective. His journey made me reflect on mine—and while he achieved early success, my route has been entirely different: grass-roots, self-funded, self-managed, and built from the ground up. My investment in Hazard wasn’t just financial; it was a statement of conviction in myself, my vision, and the message I stand for.
When it comes to Mizzy—who is my half-niece’s half-brother, so not someone I’m directly related to—he was raised with good values. The last conversation I had with him was about his approach, and he told me it was part of his plan to cause a stir to gain attention. He has been heavily shaped by social media, which can be both a blessing and a curse.
I recognise that we’re very different people. I’m not here to downplay anyone else’s success, but what sets me apart is that I live by an approach I consider truly authentic—not in the overused, buzzword sense, but in the way I refuse to let external factors dictate who I am. I trust my instincts, choose my own direction, and don’t conform to what people think I should be. When people engage with my brand, they know it’s me—unfiltered, uncompromised, and not the product of behind-the-scenes conditioning or carefully scripted talking points. That honesty resonates, and it’s the foundation of how I connect with my audience.
What are the themes that connect the songs throughout this album, and why the title Hazard?
Hazard is my debut album—a bold, conceptually and emotionally charged body of work that explores pain, resilience, relationships, and inner strength. Each track represents a different chapter of my journey, blending raw truth with experimental, genre-blurring sounds.
“At its core, my album is about self-preservation. It reflects my experiences with adversity, self-discovery, and learning how to empower myself and others through it all. I wanted Hazard to feel like both a release and a revelation—something honest, cinematic, and deeply personal.”
Do you produce and write and perform everything as a solo effort, or is there collaboration involved?
Collaboration is essential, but not with just anyone. You have to work with the right people: those whose qualities you admire, skills you want to learn from, and energy that aligns with your vision. Early on, a backing vocalist from UB40 (whose name I unfortunately can’t recall) helped shape my voice when I was a teenager.
Later, Claude Alexander played a major role in refining my understanding of music theory. More recently, working with Nick Michaels (from the British rock band Bethnal) and his friend Phil Curran has been vital to my growth in production. Each of them brought something I admired or needed to grow in, and their guidance helped shape Hazard into a cohesive, sonically strong project.
That said, not every collaboration has been positive. I’ve worked with producers like Tony Fagan, who ran a bedroom label called Ruff Diamond Records and relied mostly on loops without real production skills. There was also someone named Shak, who turned out to be a time-waster. Experiences like those taught me how crucial it is to choose collaborators wisely—because the wrong people can slow you down or dilute your vision.
When it comes to music, there are a few rules you shouldn’t break—like key, pitch, timing, and rhythm. Even an untrained ear can tell when those fundamentals are off. But beyond that, creativity has no boundaries. My mentors gave me the tools to understand structure—so I could bend or break everything else with intention. That’s how Hazard was built: grounded in musical integrity, yet unafraid to push limits.
What are your go-to software must-haves when in the studio?
In my home studio, I use FL Studio All Plug-Ins Edition because I find it the most user-friendly, especially for producers who want a wide range of tools in one place. It gives me everything I need—mixers, EQ, mastering tools, synths, strings, and more—without being overly complicated. If Logic Pro were available on PC, I would have purchased that over FL Studio, but since I work on a PC, FL Studio is my go-to.
When I collaborate in bigger studios, like with studio owner Nick Michaels and his friend Phil Curran (who is the main producer), we always work in Logic Pro. So my process is split—about half the production happens at home, and the other half in the studio. I’m not too flashy with software; I just like having reliable, versatile tools that give me the sounds I need.
Tell me about the inspiration and writing process for ‘Is This Paradise?’
Is This Paradise? is based on real-life events and is one of the singles from my debut album Hazard. My brand right now is centred on self-investment and empowerment, and this track reflects that. It explores grief, loss, and the challenge of living with—rather than erasing—the past, while recognising how it shapes both the present and the future.
From a writing perspective, the lyrics came from a very honest place—I wanted to capture raw thoughts as they were, almost like journaling. Musically, I kept the arrangement spacious and reflective to let the words breathe, before building it up with layers that carry both the weight of loss and the sense of growth that comes from it.
Are live performances a part of your plans this year?
I’m currently in talks to perform at a fairly local show as well as other well-known venues. Details are still being confirmed, so I can’t reveal too much just yet—but if people follow me on social media, they’ll be the first to know once everything is officially announced.
Lately, I’ve been focusing heavily on building my online presence. In today’s music industry, especially for emerging artists, social media is often more crucial at the start than live shows—it plays a major role in visibility and reach.
That said, I deeply value the impact of live performances. There’s nothing quite like connecting with people in real time, and I’m actively exploring more opportunities to bring the energy of Hazard to the stage. So yes—live performances are definitely on the horizon.
Which song from the album is the first you’d play to new listeners, and why?
The strongest song on my debut album Hazard is Say It Like You Mean It. Why? Because of the feeling it creates—both for me and for most people who hear it. That’s why I have a strong conviction that an artist should always lead with their best song. If new listeners connect with it, they’re far more likely to explore the rest of the music. But if you start with something weaker, you risk losing their interest before they give your other songs a chance. First impressions really matter.
What do you hope that listeners take away from this album?
More than anything, I hope listeners take something meaningful from my album. Whether it’s a moment of self-investment, a spark of empowerment, or simply a sense of connection—I want it to offer more than just entertainment. Hazard isn’t just a collection of songs—it’s a journey. I want people to experience that journey in their own way and hopefully feel inspired to reflect on their own path.
It’s pointless to chase perfection—it’s much better to seek connection, because nothing in life is truly perfect. Not every piece of music is for everyone, and that’s completely okay. But for those who resonate with my album—this one’s for you.
What’s your biggest ambition with this project?
My biggest ambition with my project is to establish myself in the music industry by building recognition through press, playlists, radio, and more. I want people to know who I am and what my brand stands for—right now, that means self-investment and empowerment, not just for myself but for others through my music. Ultimately, I aim to leave a lasting legacy and secure a record deal that will allow me to expand that footprint even further.
Does your creativity manifest itself in any other ways?
Yes, absolutely. Beyond singing and songwriting, my creativity extends into producing and sound engineering, which allows me to shape my music from the ground up. I also enjoy writing and storytelling, which often feeds back into my lyrics.
Outside of music, I have a strong visual imagination—hence the names The Visionist, Dream Pop King, and King of Fantasy. I think carefully about branding, visuals, and how my work is presented. For me, creativity isn’t limited to one form; it’s about expressing ideas across different mediums and finding new ways to connect with people.
What’s something about you that might surprise listeners?
My music is rooted in personal experience. Growing up, I faced a lot of challenges—living with special needs, nearly drowning as a pre-teen, and moving in and out of mainstream education. I spent most of my school years in a special needs unit, and those experiences shaped not only how I see the world but also how I express myself through music.
“Rather than dwell on the pain or negativity, I’ve made a conscious choice to turn those moments into something constructive.”
I focus my energy on uplifting others through my music that inspires self-investment. That’s the core of my brand—using my journey to motivate people to keep going, to grow, and to believe in their worth.
Sometimes I write to escape what I’ve been through—I write to transform it into something empowering. That’s what gives my music its emotional tone. It’s honest, reflective, and designed to help others find light in their own journey.
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Download or stream Hazard. Find Stephan Folkes on Soundcloud, Instagram, TikTok, X.
