Getting To Know... Stef Pesic

With a sound that looks to merge everything from hip-hop, jazz, pop and everything in-between, London-based singer and songwriter Stef Pesic now looks to make a bold impression with his wonderfully woozy debut single 'Julia'.

Taking his cues from the likes of Rex Orange County and Mac DeMarco, 'Julia' is a soft and breezy introduction to his work. Filled with sweeping tones, light guitar hooks, and a wonderfully captivating vocal delivery, his first effort shows great promise for what he has planned over the coming months.

So with his new single available now, we sat down with him to find out more about his background and what has inspired him most over the years.

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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?

Drums, my dad was in a band back in the 90’s in Serbia... well Yugoslavia back then. There was one VHS tape that my dad had of a gig of theirs. I just remember being obsessed with it and thinking how cool my dad was. My aim for most of teenage years was to be a drummer in a band. I started playing drums at 7.

What has been the most prominent inspiration behind your music so far?

This might be a cliched answer, but I try to base a lot of my music on things that have happened to me or how I am feeling. My anxiety has been an overlying theme in most of my work. Musically I really like big jazzy chords, so if I find a cool progression I like, that will get me up and running.

What kind of music did you love as a teenager?

All sorts my dad got me into a lot of older stuff, he had a massive music collection and we’d always be listening to say James Brown, Lenny Kravtiz, Prince and lots of classic rock in the car. I also listened to a lot of Hip-hop which I still do now. I was playing Eminem and 50 cent on repeat. It was the early 2000’s so how could I not.

Can you remember the first song that made you want to pursue a life in music?

Most likely a Prince song, he’s my favourite artist of all time.

Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?

I’ve been listening to a lot of new stuff, girl in red is such a good songwriter, Gus Dapperton – I feel like he’s quite underrated, Biig Piig from the UK and bit of Unknown Mortal Orchestra – So Good at Being in Trouble is such a beautiful song.

How many of your songs have you written about people in your life?

Quite a lot it changes at times though. I’ve been told that my songs can be very personal – whether they’re about me or someone. But lately I’m sort of writing in a semi-autobiographical way. I’m trying to focus on storytelling in my songs now.

What has been the most unusual moment in your career so far?

The whole journey so far has been great and at times unexpected. I had a great gig at this warehouse party a few years back, that I wasn’t expecting, proper DIY it was a good night.

Outside of music, what is your biggest passion?

I love films, if there was a stronger word, I’d use it. I have an almost encyclopaedic knowledge when it comes to random facts about films.

If you weren’t a musician, what other path do you think you might have taken?

I’ve always said to my friends that I’d really be keen to try and be a talk show host someday, I don’t know how that would happen. I’m such a fan of shows like The Tonight Show and all the Late Night shows in America. Graham Norton in the UK is great as well.

And what advice would you give to other musicians looking to start a career in music?

You really have to have a thick skin and just be willing to be a problem solver. A lot of the time you’ll come to some obstacles or things won’t be going as smoothly. You just have to persevere. Oh, and write tons of songs. Always keep writing. That is a must!

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Stef Pesic's debut single 'Julia' is available to stream and download now. Watch the new video for it in the player below.