First off, just want to thank you for participating in this edition of Infidel Interviews. Could you start off by giving a little information about you to the audience? Whatever you feel comfortable with, but name, age, and where you live would be pretty standard?
My name is Stew, i’m a 19 year old man child from the midwest.
How do you enjoy where you live? Is there a vibrant music community where you are? Would you say you find that your local scene influences your attitude and/or creativity?
I’m not too interested in what goes on around here. I’d rather work with close friends. I’ll stick my head out for a show or two, but that’s on a good day.
Do you consider yourself to be part of a particular sound or scene? What is your thoughts on the nature of genres and styles, and do you have any particular ones which you find to your enjoyment more, listening and/or production-wise?
My music is just a hybrid of everything I think is cool. If people want to group me into a scene, I don’t mind. I like to be sonically challenged, but my taste is pretty eclectic.
What would you say are your biggest influences when it comes to art and music? Are there any bands that you would say struck you with the chord that inspired you to peruse your current path of musical aspirations?
I don’t look up to any other creatives, but if you asked me this question a year or two ago I would probably have an elaborate response for you. I only pay attention to my good friends nowadays. LA beat scene was huge for me when I first started.
What are some of the biggest challenges you have had to overcome in your musical career?
Finding a good excuse to take a break from music.
Have you had any particular moment(s) that you would like to share, that you would consider to be a crowning achievement in your musical career so far, or moments that you would say truly continue to inspire you to pursue your artistic path?
I haven’t done anything yet. Being creative is humanly, so I would say more life experience.
For fans who have not seen you yet, when it comes to your live show, how would you describe yourself thematically and visually? Are you an energy and audience driven band in the live atmosphere? Or would you consider yourself to be more thematic or presentation oriented?
My music would be the driving force. If I have the resources to make my shows ideal, then it will be apparent when people come say hi.
If you could play any anywhere, with anyone, in the world, dead or alive, who and where would it be?
Future, preferably somewhere in Tokyo. I would want all of my good friends to be on stage with me while its going on too. If not Future, then probably my little brother if it would somehow make for a cohesive show. He is a piano wizard….his spells are very buttery.
Would you say that your choice to pursue music has changed your life since you started? Would you say that creativity has evolved you spiritually, emotionally, or logically?
It’s been my favorite art form since I was a young sprout, to see it become a burning passion is pretty neat. And I would have to say yes to all three, in terms that I can’t put into useless words.
What sort of processes do you go through when making music? Do you have a formula(s) that you follow, or do you feel it out as you go along? Or is it more of a mixture of the two?
*Evil Laugh*
When it comes to making music it can be difficult to balance atmosphere, song progression, musicality, and excitement. Do you have any tricks, techniques, or methods that you commonly use to help your music sound coherent and engaging?
I make sure it doesn’t sound like shit before i export it.
Musical composition nowadays can be aided by so many different tools and devices. Do you favor a complex approach of using lots of different instruments, or are you in the keep it simple until you have to boat of refining certain elements to their maximum potential? Or would you say your philosophy lays in between?
*More Evil Laughs*
Do you spend a lot of time crafting your own sounds? Or do you value song crafting and effects tweaking more? Or do you find it's a balance between the two? What's your relationships with presets? When you make music are you primarily a hardware or software oriented musician? Or do you do a fusion of both? Are there any particular instruments, programs, or effects that you would say are vital to you making music?
I have an armory in my closet, I can’t really explain much else or I will be hunted down.
What's your take on sample packs and loops? Do you see them as a creative inspirational tool and useful sonic addition to your tracks? Or are you a purist when it comes to composing your own melodies and sounds?
Stew Stim Drum Kit.
Do you find that when you are working on projects where you ended up learning new techniques during the process?
I would hope so. I would definitely get bored if I didn’t.
What do you see in the near, and far, future for your creative output?
You never know in this life, but i’m going to start painting/drawing soon. Same process, different mediums. I like to keep it fresh.
You have released quite a few releases over you're active musical years. What has been your favorite album you have put out so far, and how do you feel your music has evolved over the years?
Everything i’ve put out has been an honest projection. I can’t discriminate between any phase just because it’s all honest and well, but sonically i’d have to go with Gumbo Kazoo. I don’t think I can say that title without smiling.
Do you have any other musical projects that you are involved with, or do you have any other musicians or artists that you collaborate with in some capacity? If you could collaborate with any musician or artist, dead or alive, who would it be? And what in particular draws you to want to collaborate with them?
I’ve been in contact with Lil B as of recent, pretty rad. I also have some neat stuff coming with Open Mike Eagle. He’s known as the curator of “art rap”, and I do believe he has a show coming out on Comedy Central. My main focus right now involves a few producer collaborations, my next project, and Year Of The Ram (BILL $ABER).
Outside of Electronic music, what other genres could you see yourself composing music in? Or should I say, do you see yourself inspired by?
Whatever feels good. I know better than to box myself in.
Promotion can be one of the most difficult things in the music industry. Do you have an agent that helps book shows and manage your online presence, or have you decided to trek it out without and mantle the reigns of the social media apparatus yourself? Is it difficult engaging the online world consistently and originally, or do you find it easy?
I don’t get too anxious about it. It’s just a matter of time, and the same goes for all of my friends.
With your band becoming increasingly popular have you had any insider attention regarding label support? What's your thoughts regarding being independent music scene versus being part of a record label?
I started this journey on my own, and I plan to finish it in a similar manner. I don’t see the point in signing off to anything unless it makes complete sense.
Outside of music, what are some of your favorite past times and emotional engagements?
Falling in love.
Thank you so much for participating in this episode of Infidel Interview. Any parting words for your fans, or my audience?
Stay buttery.
Follow Stew Stim's Facebook page for his latest activities:
Support the artist and digitally purchase his music directly from him on his official Bandcamp:
For free streaming that still marginily supports the artist and easy access try his Spotify:
Another easy casual streaming service for his music is Soundcloud, which is where I discovered him actually. Check him out: