I had arranged to meet Stephen at a charming café nestled amidst the lively activity of a downtown street, renowned for its vibrant atmosphere and ambient lighting that seamlessly transitioned from day to night. As dusk descended, the urban clamor gradually subsided, replaced by the mellifluous strains of music emanating from within the café. Stephen was already seated, occupying a coveted spot by the window, offering a panoramic view of the bustling thoroughfare. His warm smile and relaxed demeanor set a welcoming tone right from the start.

Before we got into the interview, Stephen recommended ordering a couple of glasses of wine, pointing out a particular vintage he said was perfect for easing into a good conversation. The server brought us our drinks, the deep color of the wine gleaming in the soft light, and we toasted to a productive evening. The mellow atmosphere surrounded us, making the space feel intimate and friendly.

As we enjoyed our wine, we chatted casually about recent events and shared interests, and gradually moved into the main discussion. Our talk soon focused on his latest album and his musical career. Stephen openly shared details about the creative process and how his musical style has evolved. His enthusiasm was evident and inspiring, filling our conversation with both valuable insights and a genuine sense of connection.

photo by @stephendijoseph

Hello Stephen! It’s great to be talking with you. Your latest album, Songs Dreams Circumstance, encapsulates themes from different periods of your musical career. Could you share the story behind its title and how these themes interconnect across the songs?   

Hey it’s great to be here! When I signed with Deko to be distributed by Warner Music Group ADA, I knew that I had a lot of songs that I wanted a lot more people to hear. So drawing a number of my best tunes together was my intention. All the songs’ themes came about through dreams and circumstance. Somehow they mystically overlapped.

You mentioned that the album includes songs recorded between 1994 and 2006, some released and some not. How do you feel your sound or thematic interests have evolved from those early days to now?

Well I have MGD which is multi genre disorder. Jazz / Prog Rock / Songwriter / Free – Experimental / Electronic. I have so much unreleased material I don’t know how Ill ever get to it all. There are a number of songs I have that deal with my experience of living with Tourette’s. Some of the songs were released in a film I made but I have yet to release them as an album so I think that’s next.

Your songs touch on deep themes such as mental illness, universal love, and the human condition. What philosophical or literary influences do you draw upon in your songwriting?

You asked me earlier about my thematic development and I feel that comes into play here as I grow in awareness and compassion. The lyrics of people like Jon Anderson, Peter Gabriel, Cat Stevens, Paul Simon. Somehow all of these work their way into my thinking. In most cases without my being aware of it. 

photo by @stephendijoseph

The tragedy and triumph of Ophelia is a striking theme. What inspired you to explore this narrative, and how does it resonate with the broader themes of your album?

I knew someone who somehow made me think of Shakespeare’s character. I think it connects with my broader theme of looking for a “silver lining” which is my general inclination. Some glimmer of hope.

I’ve seen videos of your live performances, and your mastery of both the guitar and piano, along with various other instruments, is truly captivating. Witnessing your skill level, do you find one instrument more expressive of your artistic voice than the others, or do they each bring out unique facets of your creativity?

Yes and Yes 😉 without a doubt they bring out different aspects. I would say my most prolific/creative output would be the piano/keyboards as I have the most flexibility and improvisational skill on keys. I had some great teachers who encouraged me to explore a lot of styles and listening to great artist like Keith Jared, Art Tatum Chick Corea Keith Emerson Rick Wakeman. So many great artist to be influenced by. As I mentioned multiple genre disorder, I am definitely influenced by multi instrumental experiments in different directions.

In your album, there’s a theme of circumstances influencing dreams and reality. Can you discuss a particular circumstance that significantly altered the course of your music career?

When I got exposed to prog rock and classical. That lit my fire. ALSO I can definitely say that having a neurodiverse condition like Tourette’s absolutely altered my career. It’s presented both hyper creativity and functional/organizational challenges. Not to mention how others respond to it. At the same time my calling as a Neurodiversity Advocate is sorely needed and therefore somehow it all works out.  

Your collaboration with Deko Entertainment is highly promising. How has working with them unlocked potential in the production and distribution of your music?

This level of Distribution literally put my music everywhere it never was before. The scope and potential of that is mind blowing. My work in this situation is to take advantage of that international  position / presence and build on it. 

Can you share details about where and when your fans can catch your upcoming live performances? Are there any special venues or cities you’re particularly excited about playing in?

Performances and touring are in the works for Summer. I will be posting those on Facebook – www.facebook.com/dijosephmusicandfilm and My Site – www.stephendijoseph.com

What aspects of performing live do you find most exhilarating or fulfilling?

Sharing what inspires me and what I’ve worked on with a live audience is simply the best feeling. The real-time in-person visceral response has no equal.

What dreams do you have for your future in music? 

Finding a distribution “home” for the other styles/genres I work in. Speaking on neurodiversity, creativity and bringing inspiration to a wider audience. Touring. TV appearances and performances.