Having already established herself with a string of impactful offerings these last few years, Toronto-based artist Stefanie Tom is now looking to cement her dynamic legacy to date with the release of her eagerly-awaited debut EP 'Mood'.
Featuring the previously shared gems 'Basketball Shorts', 'Scared Of My Apartment' and its stelar title-track, this new six-track collection perfectly highlights the innovative pursuits she has been on recently. Filled with riveting textures, a breezy atmosphere, and her own compelling vocals at the helm, 'Mood' continues her ascent as one of the more exciting names on the rise right now.
So with the new EP available to stream now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has been inspiring her most recently.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
I would say the first instrument I fell in love with was my voice. The second instrument I learned to play was the ukulele and I loved how easy it was to learn chords. The first time I learned to play a song on my ukulele felt magical.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I’ve always loved music by Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift and Lana del Rey. I did have a phase of loving rock bands like the Fray. I also loved musicals!
What was the first album you remember owning?
The first album I owned was Metamorphosis by Hilary Duff! I got it as a Christmas present with a Walkman and I remember thinking it was the coolest thing ever.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
I wish I could have written “the grudge” by Olivia Rodrigo. I remember hearing the lyrics “And I know in my heart hurt people hurt people/ And we both drew blood but man those cuts were never equal” and having goosebumps. What a line!
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I guess one of my rituals is that I usually call my parents after writing a song and play it for them. I’m not sure how much constructive help they give me because they usually just say they love it!
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
At the moment I’ve been loving Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, Gracie Abrams, Madison Beer, and Blackpink.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Ariana Grande (mainly so I can see her perform every night)
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
The most rewarding parts of being a musician are writing a song and performing. Writing a song feels amazing because it feels like bringing life into the world: like I created something that didn’t previously exist and it matters. Performing is also super rewarding to see people reacting and enjoying my music.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The most frustrating part is when people don’t take my music seriously. There’s also a lot of rejection which can be frustrating as well.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Keep writing until you write something good!
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Stefanie Tom's debut EP 'Mood' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.