Stephen Dawes sits with the ache of holding onto what’s slipping away in his new alt-pop single “Stay.” Co-produced with Dan Gleyzer and co-written with Rollo, the track builds on the emotional depth of his previous single “Reputation” with a darker, more textured sound.
We caught up with the singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer to discuss the inspiration behind “Stay,” what his viral cover of Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” taught him about production, and what listeners can look forward to next.
Who or what inspired your new single “Stay”?
“Stay” is about a relationship coming to an end and wanting it to last just a little longer. Thankfully, it is inspired by someone who will remain in the past. Oftentimes, I find it refreshing to write about people and things from months or even years prior.
One particular lyric stood out to me, “Play the coda of our song before you’re gone.” I love that you incorporated music terminology into this song. How did that lyric come about, and why “coda” over “end”?
“Stay” is about a dramatic conclusion. The term “coda” brings that exact feeling into words right before the chorus. I’ve always loved a coda. When I played in a jazz band in high school, it was always my favorite part of the tunes to play.
Your 2022 cover of Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” was a massive turning point for your career. How did the experience of deconstructing a pop song like that influence the way you approach your own original production and writing?
Producing my version of “Teenage Dream” helped me realize that there’s so much more to a song than melody and lyrics. I try to bring this approach to all of my originals. I wrote “Stay” many months ago, and over the course of that time, the production and form changed drastically. I was constantly changing tempo, adding beats, guitar parts, and so many other things that all really altered how the song felt.
The visualizers for “Stay” and your recent singles feature a very consistent aesthetic with the wired mic, the blazer, and single-shot production. Is this visual language building toward a larger narrative?
These recent singles were written to be performed on a stage. I want each visualizer to feel like a performance piece. I also wanted the simplicity of the visual to let the listener read and absorb the lyrics and music.
You’re originally from Cape Cod, MA and later moved to San Francisco. How did the shift from the East Coast to the West Coast, and those two very different environments, shape your identity as an artist?
Upon moving to the West Coast, I was exposed to so much more music and culture. In high school, I was heavily influenced by a few jazz band mates to start producing and writing music. Cape Cod is a very small town, which I love so dearly, but there wasn’t much live music. San Francisco is packed with wonderful venues and artists.
After previously opening for Griff on the “Vertigo Tour” and Matt Hansen in Europe, are there plans for a headlining tour or new live dates in 2026?
Though I cannot confirm or deny any headline tour, this music was written to be sung live. I hope I get to do that very soon.
What can fans look forward to next?
There is a lot of music coming. All of it is extremely personal and dives into what it was like moving to Los Angeles, living too much life, and falling in love.
Featured Photo Credit: Stone Taul
Amelia Cordischi, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Juice Box Press, is an accomplished digital marketing professional with over a decade of experience in media and communications. Her work has been featured in notable publications, including The Boston Globe. A communications graduate of Simmons University in Boston, Amelia served as manager of Simmons College Radio (“The Shark”), where she also launched and co-hosted her radio show, The Find.
In addition to her editorial work, Amelia is an established freelance photographer, with bylines in Blended Magazine and CelebMix, capturing artists and cultural moments across the music and media landscape. Her career began at WCVB-TV’s Chronicle, the ABC affiliate in Boston, where she gained firsthand experience in broadcast journalism and storytelling.
When she’s not taking photos from the photo pit, interviewing emerging artists, or crafting the next Juice Box Press feature, Amelia can be found thrifting and exploring the world of sustainable fashion.