Solidly embossed within the music business, Brooklyn based artist stevexcooper has credits in writing, recording and performing, with his experience spanning nearly 20 years. 

His former projects have secured both an indie deal and a major deal (Atlantic Records), as well as collaborations with Grammy nominees (Ricky Reed, Nolan Lambroza) and supporting artists like M.I.A., Royal Blood, Incubus and Biffy Clyro, verifying his incessant drive and indisputable skill.

Launched in 2020, the stevexcooper artist project was created as a companion piece to his production work in New York, London, and Los Angeles, with Cooper sharing, “My goal is to develop an international sonic identity across the production work and artist releases.” 

Best described as left-wing rap and pop, his music bends stereotypical genres, creating dynamic beats and a uniquely exclusive sound. Tapping into some of his more aggressive electronic influences like SLIKBACK, Giant Swan, and Avon Terror Corps, Cooper reveals, “I grew up on Aphex Twin and Squarepusher and other artists who captured the sound of worlds breaking. I think this song does that, too.”

Four years in the making, the new track “Never silent.” is one of the first songs created between stevexcooper and LIFEOFTHOM after they met in 2018. Coming up with the beat whilst sat outside a coffee shop in Echo Park, Los Angeles, the track is a jungle of multi-layered electronics and reverberating beats. LIFEOFTHOM’s vocals hear him reach a new light while retaining his undeniable grit, emanating Yeezus type energy in sections of the production.

Tell us about your story as an artist

I started making music in college in ’98. I made rap tapes and gave them to people. Some guys in Maryland (Crownsayers) were signed to Elektra and asked me to replace their lead singer, who had gone off the rails. They got dropped from Elektra, but a year later our new band (The Spark) was doing major label visits and even had a private showcase for Clive Davis. Eventually I moved to NYC and went solo (The Gray Kid). Got a manager. Then I moved to LA. Formed a band (Spirit Animal). Then Ben Harper took all of my band members (seriously) so I moved back to NYC and found the guys who’d be in SA for about a decade now. We played a couple hundred shows and signed to Wind-up Records. They sold their company the day they signed us (classic). Then we signed to Atlantic Records and played another couple hundred shows, this time to much bigger audiences thankfully. We changed the band name to Record Heat. I started producing while on tour. Once the pandemic hit, I launched the stevexcooper project.

What do you think is the most important aspect of your life right now?

I’m not the type to say one thing is more important than the other (“family over everything” etc). I have a 2-year-old daughter but I’m really uncomfortable with the idea that having a family should replace your identity, or that having a career should interfere with having a family. Balance is happiness.

What makes this song special in your opinion?

The energy. It’s huge. My goal is to make everyone sound larger than life — their wildest self. LIFEOFTHOM is a natural performer, and he’s so dynamic. This beat is really out there, insofar as it doesn’t just reference common rap production, but it also has the trappings of a familiar banger: massive bass, sick bars, etc. I think it bridges the gap between the familiar and the unconventional.

What inspired this track?

Getting to know LIFEOFTHOM better. Wanting to push him to try new things.

What are some of the core messages here?

It’s a song about rebellion; about being young and free; about not giving a fuck.

How do you think tik tok and social media are contributing to change an artist’s career?

These days you can either try to be famous or try to be sicker than everyone else. Obviously I’ve chosen the latter. There’s really no in between anymore in my opinion. Very few people tour their way to influence, and I think a lot of the online glow-ups may be short-lived. The live performance component will still probably separate the career artists from the ones that had “a moment,” maybe not in terms of wealth, but certainly in terms of relevance.

What excites you about your life?

Working with new people, discovering new music, and continuing to help build the world I want to live in.

What are some of your core values as a human being?

Honesty and directness. Reliability and keeping my word.

What are your projects for this year?

I have stevexcooper projects with Rothstein and Gabe Gill, more music with LIFEOFTHOM, and projects I’m producing for ATO, sophiemarie.b, Cedric Brazle, and some others