Interview: Stevi Daft
Stevi Daft channels the dynamic expression of Karen O alongside the provocative bravado of David Bowie against a grunge rock backdrop. Fusing ferocious honesty with hook-driven intensity and powerhouse vocals, her fearless songwriting and electrifying performances spin a passionate web of infectious queer anthems with sharp lyrics that pierce like arrows to the heart.
What inspires your music?
Any experience that elicits a big emotional response is inspiration.
I’m always on a mission to uncover the mysteries of the universe, and am inspired by so many things. The occult, divination (I’m also a tarot reader), nature, the ocean, outer space. Sometimes I will just watch fire - even a candle flame - and transmute energy through it, and it talks to me.
Driving in my car is a big one. I’ve come up with so many song ideas that way.
I’m also obsessed with watching documentaries, especially about science, otherworldly themes, and other artists. It encourages new processes and takes me out of my own world, seeing things from a fresh perspective.
Who are some of your influences?
I really admire Patti Smith’s career - as a musician, poet, activist, author, painter, photographer, she really embodies the word Artist with a capital ‘A’. Also, someone else who does this that I really love is David Lynch. He calls it the art life, I believe, and Bowie did the same thing. I'm just really inspired by people who approach their life as art and can't help but be creative. Like, it's just oozing out of them. PJ Harvey is a real north star for me as well because of the way that she continues to evolve and keep pushing. I’m captivated by her mind.
What are some of your favorite memories from your career?
Playing a rooftop in West Hollywood during Pride to a sea of queers a couple of years ago was a real highlight. It felt like an audience who really understood what I was saying and the way we were exchanging energy was so beautiful.
One of the main things that I love about making music is those moments when you can feel a song clicking. You know you’re onto something, and you follow it down the rabbit hole, and you keep going further and further until you get to the gem at the heart of it. The magic in the air is palpable. It’s just an incomparable feeling, and I wish I could bottle it up.
Which of your projects do you love the most?
I’m proud of “Vertigo” because of the meticulous intention behind the song. I invited more of my witchcraft into my process, and it was my first time approaching songwriting as casting a spell. I’ve actually had severe vertigo, so the song is a banishment spell to get rid of it.
Every single choice in the song was tied to giving the listener a visceral, immersive experience of what it’s like to have vertigo. So the verses are in ¾ time, while the hook is in 4/4, there’s a key change to a half step down at one point, and the song ends the same way it begins, which brought this kind of cyclical, hypnotic feeling to it. The cool thing is, the spell actually worked, and I have not had vertigo since.
Who are some of the collaborators who helped you create your favorite works?
Will Gorin (Slothrust) is a badass drummer I’ve had the privilege of playing with for a few years now, and is one of my trusted collaborators whom I just adore. He's actually the first person who heard COMEDOWN, and he had a huge influence on the song. He was on tour and unfortunately wasn't able to play on the record, but Aviv Cohen , who is an absolute animal, did play drums on it, as well as the other songs on my upcoming EP, THE LOVER: SEETHING. Both of them have been super integral to my process in general.
Amit Ofir (SkyDxddy, Kat Meoz) produced the EP and he did such a phenomenal job. I am beyond grateful to him. He really understands what I’m trying to do with the music and knows how to get the best performance out of me - the Lindsey Buckingham to my Stevie Nicks - and that is rare to come by. He also played Moroccan Lounge with us a couple of weeks ago, which was a really fun show.
What are you most excited to bring to your fans next?
The rest of this EP! “COMEDOWN” is officially out now and “SPARK” is up next….
What are your goals for this upcoming year?
I have a vision in a way I never have before, and I’m really excited to bring listeners into this world and give my music the moment it deserves. I’m going to keep releasing a song every few weeks, and my dream is for the music to find its way to the people it resonates with, to people who will love it.
How can your fans and our readers best support you right now?
Follow me on whatever streaming platforms you use and then stream “COMEDOWN” and “CAKE”. I have a newsletter as well for those who would like to be the first to know all the tea.
