While getting ready to do a photoshoot in SEE-KNOW’s curated fit, musical artist
STEVEDREEZ sat down with us so we could get to know him a little better.
Where are you from?
“I was born in Japan and lived there back and forth for 8 years,” he says. The 28 year old is now settled into the Washington DC area. He used to speak Japanese when he was younger but admitted he was “a little out of practice”.
When did you start making music?
“I played guitar for most of my life, but when I was 18 I started making beats for other artists. A few years after that, I put a song out on soundcloud and it went pretty well after that.”
What got you into music?
“My dad played guitar and got me started on it. I’ve always loved music and grew up around it.”
Steve says that his parents are his main source of inspiration, as they were always
playing classic rock and R&B around the house. Bands like The Rolling Stones, and the Beatles, and artists like Shade were what he grew up listening to, and are musicians that have influenced his own style.
What would you call the genre of music that you write/perform?
He started with Hip Hop but now says that “it’s hard to put a name” on his current
musical genre. He calls it “pop” but “it has a lot of funk influences especially in the
baseline.”
“I want people to dance, but also have some slow moments. It’s kind of all over the place but it all comes together.”
What else do you like to do in your free time?
Steve laughed as he expressed that he was an ex-skater. “I got hurt too much,” he says, “but now I really like to golf to get my dose of fresh air.”
He also enjoys socializing with the house music scene and just recently started DJing, which is a whole different vibe than performing.
“The difference is that, as a DJ you kind of control the pace of the party compared to when you perform. When you perform you know less of what to expect. But both are fun.”
What would you be doing if you weren’t pursuing music?
“I really love graphic design. I would be doing that or editing videos. With music it comes together— I would probably have a media company.”
What are your future goals?
Most of Steve’s goals continue to revolve around music. “I want to tour around the world and get to Justin Bieber level. Even though I’m happy with doing small scale tours in the near-future, I want to keep going and keep getting better. Somewhere down the line I want to film a music video album, like make all my videos in an album into a movie with a storyline.”
How did you connect with SEE/KNOW?
“My manager and Dom (SEE/KNOW employee) are really close and met after he moved to New York two years ago. We’ve gone to parties together and now I’m always happy when I get to see my homie Pebbles (SEE/KNOW’s office puppy)”
How would you describe your fashion sense?
“My fashion sense always changes, but I usually dress in business casual or formal. It depends on the day. Sometimes it’s just random T-shirts, pants and white sneakers.”
Steve loves classic sneakers like Converse and Stan Smiths, but wouldn’t call himself a sneakerhead.
For shows, he’s always rocking loafers and a suit. “I have brown suits, white linen suits, and even a powder blue suit. Miami vibes, but it also has 70’s and 80’s inspiration. I’m even open to trying bell bottoms.”
What did SEE/KNOW dress you in today?
“A Pierre Cardin blazer, and I know the trousers are Ralph Lauren. I think this is a lightly patterned Hawaiian shirt and these are ALD vintage loafers.”
Do you have any events coming up?
“I have a show tomorrow!” Steve said, and performed said show on September 13th at Berlin Under A. “I have a few DJ sets in October. But I just dropped a song called ‘Ready or Not’ and you gotta check out the video, my team made it and I edited it myself, and it came out really nicely.”
We’d like to thank Steve again for his time at SEE-KNOW and we can confirm that
music is a must on your next playlist.
Find him on Spotify
IG: @stevedreez