Interview With CJ Stowklyn

Screenshot

1. What first inspired you to pursue a career in music?

Music was the first thing that ever felt like mine. Growing up, it was the one space where I could process everything I didn’t know how to say out loud. I was obsessed with creating something that felt bigger than myself, something that could outlive me.

2. Can you tell us about a pivotal moment in your life when you realized music was your calling?

There wasn’t one dramatic moment; it was more like an internal shift. The day I realized I didn’t want a Plan B was the day it clicked. Music wasn’t something I did; it was the only thing that made me feel like myself.

3. Who are your biggest musical influences, and how have they shaped your sound?

I draw inspiration from a wide range of worlds, Travis, Kid Cudi, Kanye, alternative bands, and even video-game atmospheres. I’ve always been drawn to artists who build their own universe. That’s what I try to do: something immersive, fluid, and unmistakably mine.

4. How has your music evolved from when you first started to where you are now?

I stopped chasing perfection and started chasing honesty. My earlier music was me figuring out who I was. Now it’s me standing on it. The production is sharper, the writing is clearer, and the emotion hits deeper.


Creative Process

5. Can you walk us through your creative process when writing a new song?

It usually starts with a feeling. I don’t sit down like, “let me write a song.” I let the emotion lead me. Once the vibe is right, I build melodies, stack ideas, then shape everything into a story that fits my truth.

6. Do you start with lyrics, melodies, or a concept?

Most of the time, it’s melody first, that’s where the soul is. Lyrics come after I understand the emotional direction. But if I have a concept heavy on my mind, I’ll build the whole track around that.

7. How do you handle creative blocks or moments when inspiration is hard to find?

I step back. I don’t force it. Sometimes the best thing you can do is live, feel something new, and come back with clarity. Inspiration always returns when you stop chasing it.

8. What do you want listeners to feel or take away from your music?

I want people to feel understood, like they’re not crazy for feeling the way they do. My music is for anyone who’s ever been in their head and needed a voice to sit there with them.


Specific Work & Collaborations

9. What’s the story behind your latest single/album?

It’s me documenting my transition, mentally, creatively, and personally. I’m stepping into a new version of myself, and the music reflects that evolution: cleaner mind, sharper vision, deeper purpose.

10. Any memorable moments from working with other artists or producers?

Definitely. Every collaboration teaches me something. Some sessions turn into therapy, some turn into chaos in the best way. When artists trust you with their world and energy, you feel it in the music.

11. If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?

Cudi, because he changed the way emotion exists in music. And Travis, because his world-building is unmatched. I connect with artists who create universes, not just songs.


Performance & Fans

12. What has been your most memorable performance or tour experience so far?

Opening in London and feeling a room full of people who didn’t know me yet scream back energy, that changed me. Touring showed me how real this can become.

13. How do you connect with your audience during live shows or through your music?

By being present. By being human. I’m not trying to be untouchable, I want people to feel like they’re experiencing something with me, not just watching me.

14. What do you think is the most rewarding aspect of being an artist?

Impact. When someone messages me saying a song helped them through something, it reminds me why I started. That connection is priceless.

15. Has fan feedback ever influenced the direction of your music?

Definitely. Not in a way where I chase trends, but fans show me which parts of myself they resonate with the most. It helps me lean deeper into my truth.


Challenges & Growth

16. What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your music career, and how did you overcome them?

Balancing ambition with patience. This industry tests you mentally. I learned to trust the process, stay disciplined, and let consistency speak for me.

17. How do you stay true to your artistry while adapting to industry trends?

I study the landscape without letting it dictate my sound. I’m aware of trends, but I never chase them. I take what aligns with me and leave what doesn’t.

18. Is there a song or project that pushed you outside your comfort zone creatively?

Yes, anything where I let myself be vulnerable. Opening up in my writing is harder than experimenting with new sounds, but it’s also where my best music comes from.


Personal Reflections

19. What message or legacy do you want to leave behind with your music?

That it’s okay to reinvent yourself, to grow, to fall apart, and to rebuild. I want my music to live as proof that evolution is powerful, and personal truth is timeless.

20. Where do you see yourself and your music career in the next 5 years?

A global artist with a world of my own, tours, fashion, creative projects, and a catalog that people feel emotionally attached to. Platinum plaques, but with a purpose behind them.

21. How do you stay motivated and passionate about creating new music?

By remembering why I started: connection, legacy, expression. As long as I’m evolving as a person, the art will keep evolving with me.

Leave a comment