Stephen McCafferty

From a young age, Stephen's musical journey was sparked by inheriting his gran's old stereo system, which granted him access to a treasure trove of his mum's vinyl and cassette tapes gathering dust in the attic. Immersed in the sounds of David Bowie, The Cranberries, Eurythmics, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Fleetwood Mac, and a plethora of 'Now' Compilation tapes, Stephen spent hours absorbing this eclectic mix of artists, unknowingly laying the foundation for his future songwriting. Combining reflective, introspective lyrics with anthemic choruses, Stephen draws inspiration from the classic songwriting of the 20th century, infusing his music with a timeless quality that resonates with listeners. His songs explore existential themes influenced by literature and pop culture, adding depth and resonance to his creative expression. Stephen's journey to music was marked by resilience and determination. From his late teens to his early twenties, he navigated a nomadic lifestyle, sofa-surfing between towns in Scotland and sleeping in unconventional places, including cars, a wheelbarrow, and even a digger. After several years of precarious living, Stephen made a pivotal decision to head to Edinburgh and declare himself homeless. He spent 12 months in a homeless shelter, a period that became a turning point in his life. It was during this time that Stephen found solace and inspiration through writing songs. The songs written during this period would later earn him and his band, Return To The Sun, three XFM Breakout tracks of the week and garnered coverage in the national press. Stephen's passion and dedication to his craft have led him to perform extensively across the country with bands like Beautiful By Design and Return To The Sun, gracing stages at acclaimed festivals including The Isle of Wight and earning airplay on respected radio stations such as BBC Introducing. After taking a break to reflect and refocus, Stephen returned to his musical roots with a renewed vision, channelling his diverse influences into crafting songs that truly resonate with him. With four singles already released in 2024, his upcoming single, "Someday Somehow," set for release on October 18th, marks his fifth. After a year of intensive studio sessions, there is much more to come from this dedicated artist.