“I think (Pharrell) is the male version of me”
Multi-talented artist Sunni Stephens is no stranger to knowing what it takes to make it in the entertainment industry. She has written and produced for The Bernie Mack Show, off-broadway musicals and the internationally acclaimed stage play, ‘The Hip Hop Project’.
Sunni recently premiered her Vegas-like burlesque and cabaret show called “Clubesque” on the local front in Atlanta, Georgia. She’s also making waves overseas with an EDM collaboration called “HSN (Hot Summer Nights)”.
She took a moment from her busy and exciting schedule to talk to us for our Indie Spotlight Series and she also shared her new video for “HSN” which you can check below.
Describe your music for those who have never heard it.
My music, I would say is the LOVE CHILD of EDM and 80s pop….lol I say that because vocally, you can hear a lot of the “Minneapolis sound” (i.e. Prince) but musically the beats are hard, thumping, and pretty much above 130 BPM.
Tell us about ‘Hot Summer Nights’?
My latest release is called HSN which is the acronym for Hot Summer Nights. It is an up-tempo dance track that is fun, free, and definitely a soundtrack for the summer party goers. It was produced by a one of Italy’s best female DJs, Alexandra Damiani which is amazing in itself and it also features additional vocals by Milan Italy’s own Tyma.
This song is pretty special to me because of the connection behind the music. You don’t see female collaboration cross country and racial boundaries too often and to have an amazing track produced by a female from another country that spoke to my soul and immediately gave me inspiration to write is something special in itself.
We had always been fans of each other and corresponded through Facebook. I had actually asked her to do a remix for me for another song. At that same time, her manager had contacted my management about writing to some tracks.
I had no idea it was her music because it’s rare that you see female producers so when she wrote back saying, “ my manager sent you some of my music and you like a track of mine”, I was blown away. I said, “yeah, this is something special”.
What inspired you to pursue music?
I was actually born to pursue music, it’s in my blood and it’s how I entered into this world. As the story goes, my mother went into labor while performing. Instead of stopping mid performance to go to the hospital, she finished her set and then was rushed to the hospital. I came out soon after looking around. I guess I was looking for the mic then. The rest is history. I’ve been on and off stage since, from school to city to theaters and concert stages. It is a part of me.
Who is your favorite artist?
Janet Jackson, hands down. She is me and I am her, metaphorically, of course. I see my reflection in her and I celebrate that. Here is this soft spoken, brown skinned girl who blossomed into an amazingly complex woman; flaws and all. She lets you in but, in a very deliberate way. She stays in control and always keeps it classic. She lets her music speak to us on so many levels and on stage, she is a beast. I want to make others feel like the way she makes me feel.
What has been your greatest career accomplishment to date?
My biggest accomplishment would have to be my recent project, HSN. I say this because of the backstory I mentioned above.
Now the story may end there for a lot of female independent artist, but not for me. I believed in this project so much that I went to Italy and recorded a video there with her and Tayma (another Italian artist).
Just having to take the initiative, alone, to carry my passion overseas on my dime, to me, is a huge accomplishment. Not to mention this is a female led, produced, written, funded and recorded project.
That particular combination, Italian/American, Female Producer/Female Songwriter/Female Artist/, Female funded, anyway you slice it up, it is rare and special. This leads me to what I am proud of most days. It would have to be the successful transition to the dance/pop world. It has always been a love of mine and now with genres of music being more blurred than ever, I am more accepted in the EDM world. I can really say I did it my way.
What has been your biggest challenge pursing music?
My biggest challenge has been breaking down the barriers of this ideology of what a “female artist” should look like, sound like, and succumb to. There are very few opportunities for those artists who just want to be artists, so it’s a double edge sword for someone like me. Look, if I am not “signed” or in a “clique” it’s very hard to get media support, gigs, etc…
Instead of crying about it or sitting around waiting for the industry to change, I decided to create my opportunity. That is what led me to produce Clubesque. I am creating a market for me.
Who would you like to collaborate with musically?
I would have to say Pharell. I think he is the male version of me. His sound is so transferable that his audience would be as diverse as they come. I would also choose Tiesto because, I mean he is Tiesto. Need I say more? Lastly, I would choose Subsonica, they are so awesome. I love their energy on stage.
What are your music career goals? (next 1 to 2 years)
In 1-2 years, Sunni Stephens is touring with her show, Clubesque. She has two spin-off shows touring as well…capitalizing off the brand. She has released at least 3 more albums, including one live CD. She has also crossed into the TV industry producing sitcoms and possibly a feature film. She spends her summers in Italy where she maintains a villa and her winters touring the globe.
Stay connected with Sunni Stephens
