Feature: Stefano Ark On the Making Of ‘MARTIAN: YEARS 2013 - 2023’
How does 'MARTIAN: YEARS 2013 - 2023' reflect your musical journey and growth as an artist?
The album reflects my personal growth, navigating obstacles, and enduring pain. At the time, I often felt plagued by persistent bad luck, but the version of myself in 2013 didn’t yet realize that it wasn’t “bad luck” at all. Instead, it was the ripple effect of generational trauma and karma, impacting not just me but my family as well. Listening back to tracks like Stefano’s Rhapsody! and New King, I can see now that a part of me must have intuitively understood this. These experiences were shaping my sense of self, expanding my understanding of consciousness, honing my intuition, and enabling me to "quantum leap" into the version of myself I aspired to be—all while fueling my growth as an artist.
The songs document how my thoughts and beliefs evolved and sometimes regressed over the years, reflecting shifts in my ego and the transformations it underwent. These changes profoundly impacted my core beliefs and overall self-development. The album serves as a sonic time capsule of those journeys, and I’m deeply grateful for it. I hope it resonates with others on their paths. In the 2013 demo of Stefano’s Rhapsody! I say, “Let me look to the future, I spot a sign of clarity,” and looking back now, I knew things would come full circle eventually.
Was there any challenge that you encountered while making this album?
The biggest challenges I faced were life challenges—primarily navigating a system designed to make people like me give up on chasing dreams and achieving our goals. Obstacles like financial barriers are part of why the industry often has more nepo-baby artists than individuals from diverse backgrounds. I had to learn to master, understand, and educate myself on how to thrive within a system that wasn’t built for me.
In high school, I made the decision to be intentional with my time, the people I surrounded myself with, and the activities I engaged in. I knew I had to beat the system. Even though I went “off the rails,” as reflected in some of the tracks on my album, I now see it as a necessary part of my journey to create this body of work. Those experiences had to happen.
The system often pressures you to dim your light, but once you truly understand its roots, you can in most cases turn it to your advantage. I even faced physical challenges—like an issue with my ear that left me unable to record or listen to sound without pain. Instead of dwelling on what I couldn’t do, I shifted focus to brand building while I allowed my ear to heal. This adaptability and resilience shaped not only my music but also my character.
Which song(s) from 'MARTIAN: YEARS 2013 - 2023' do you think best represents your artistic vision?
I would say “Stefano’s Rhapsody! (2013 vs 2023),” “The Villain!” and “The Moon Man!” best represent my artistic vision and creativity. These songs embody my use of alter egos, which are a significant part of who I am as an individual and reflect different facets of my ego. My artistic vision revolves around themes of theatre, the human experience, science, consciousness, and horror. While these areas may seem disparate, they are deeply interconnected. Horror, for instance, delves into the darker aspects of human nature and experience, which ties back to my exploration of the human condition.
At the heart of my work is full self-expression, and I believe these songs exemplify that commitment. They weave together my passion for storytelling with my fascination for the complexities of life, pushing boundaries and creating a space where my artistic identity thrives.
Was there a pivotal moment in your life when you decided to follow your path as a musician?
I would say “Stefano’s Rhapsody! (2013 vs 2023),” “The Villain!” and “The Moon Man!” best represent my artistic vision and creativity. These songs embody my use of alter egos, which are a significant part of who I am as an individual and reflect different facets of my ego. My artistic vision revolves around themes of theatre, the human experience, science, consciousness, and horror. While these areas may seem disparate, they are deeply interconnected. Horror, for instance, delves into the darker aspects of human nature and experience, which ties back to my exploration of the human condition.
When I was a toddler, I was fascinated by technology and science, often designing video game consoles and exploring ideas related to astrophysics. From the age of nine, music became a central focus in my life. I would write songs at school, create more at home, plan imaginary tours on powerpoint and choreograph dance routines. Despite a lack of support from a parent due to them working through their own issues at the time, I persisted, fueled by a deep belief in myself even at a young age.
In 2020, something shifted within me. I became preoccupied with aesthetics, popularity, and fitting in, which led me to suppress my authentic self. Feeling disconnected from my younger self, I sold all my music equipment and thought I had lost my creative spark. However, in 2022, I rediscovered “Stefano’s Rhapsody! (2013 Demo Edition)” and felt a mix of joy and mourning. I was proud of what I had created at such a young age but saddened by how low self-esteem and a lack of self-acceptance had made me feel inadequate.
This realisation became a turning point. I committed to unlocking my authentic self and embracing all aspects of who I am—the gifts, the lights, the shadows, and the unique qualities that define me and us all. Growing up, I often felt like a Martian, out of place in the world, but I’ve come to see that as my strength rather than a weakness. Today, I channel that sense of otherness into my art, celebrating it as the source of my creativity and resilience.
Can you walk us through your creative process when writing and composing music?
My creative process varies, but it often begins internally. I primarily create in my mind, crafting songs, artwork, and music videos while living life and observing the world around me. It may appear that I’m not actively working, but the creative process is constantly evolving internally, like a mental demo. Sometimes, I record voice notes as placeholders before refining and recording them in the studio.
For tracks like “Cruel World!” and “Hush Hush! (Lucid Dream Edition),” I used more traditional approaches. With “Cruel World!,” I began with lyrics and then created a composition to complement them, adjusting both elements as the song developed. Interestingly, the demo version of “Cruel World!” was much more electronic before I decided to pursue a different direction. “Hush Hush!,” on the other hand, began as a freestyle, which explains the spontaneous and punchy nature of the intro and first verse. It’s also the fastest song I’ve completed, wrapping up the entire track, including the instrumental, in just five hours.
“The Villain!” was an entirely different experience. It started as an a cappella recording, and I spent months crafting an instrumental to match its mood. Initially envisioned as club hip-hop, then hyperpop, I eventually settled on a gothic-inspired composition that I later repurposed for my single, “I’m Still IrV From Da Block!” More recently, I’ve experimented with mumbling melodies and building upon them, but my inner creation dialogue remains my default method. It’s this unique and fluid approach to creativity that allows me to bring my artistic vision to life.
