Today we’d like to introduce you to Estafi.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have always been surrounded by and in connection with music. Especially living in proximity to the city most of my life, I’ve had this ongoing attraction to the eclectic songs weaving their way throughout the streets and buildings. There was a point at which I expected more from myself and decided I wanted to be a part of this musical movement.
As a child, there was something within me that kept me shy and unwilling to share my talent with anyone else. I must have been around the age of 11 or 12 when my grandma, my biggest fan and support, urged me to enter a local singing competition (Lilburn Idol – pretty much knockoff American Idol) so as to rid of my stage fright…and it worked! After that moment, I embraced the possibility of becoming a more fearless performer.
My next step was, around the age of 14, signing with a modeling agency. Real talk – it sucked. I would say there was an abundance of unnecessary criticism and an overwhelming pressure to squeeze into a predisposed mold. To some extent, that’s just the business. Despite the challenges, however, I took that time to discover ways to feel increasingly comfortable in my skin and observed what those around me – photographers and models alike – did to create a quality product/image. That first taste of the world of entertainment and professional appearances supplemented the foundation of my image as an artist, something I’ll always be grateful for in the grand scheme of things.
And in regards to my education, I’ve always been attracted to the fine arts – theatre in particular has been a home for me to explore powerful and diverse stories. I’m actually a Theatre Performance major at Georgia State University right now. My constant work is to understand the ins and outs of communication and to embrace the qualities of the human condition found in the actions we learn and do every day. Not only does this aspect of my life provide me with a sense of poise on and off stages, it also helps me recognize the impact of connection with an audience.
I didn’t initially have the resources at my disposal to access training and equipment, but if I was to take music as a career path more seriously, I knew I had to invest. I remember saving up tips from a serving job in high school to buy my first laptop, microphone, and interface from a thrift store. My next step was, like many other independent musicians, teaching myself to produce, slowly but surely becoming more comfortable with different software and tools.
At first, the objective was simply to have music out in the world so people could hear my voice and my stories. Now, I channel my energy, my knowledge, and my desire to incite change into my releases. I have made it a habit to treat my lyrics as I would personal poetry – considering the words a testimony of my own (and sometimes a shared) human experience. Rather than attach myself to a particular sound or genre, I try to reach beyond what is common and express something both meaningful and euphoric.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
During my freshman year of college, before I went by the name Estafi, I networked and came across an opportunity to work with some reputable industry figures. They listened to a couple of my demos, and I was offered management and development agreements, but there were a few outstanding red flags. Though it may have been a foot in the door, I ultimately turned them down. At 18 years old, this was utterly devastating. I went through a period of regret and feared that I might never amount to my dreams. I even took some time away from songwriting because it felt like, maybe, it wasn’t meant for me. But then I started to soul search and understood that I wasn’t entirely confident in myself outside of music. All in all, it turned out to be a true wake up call, one I really needed. I eventually became Estafi, a powerful identity that gave me confidence, and recognized that my work shouldn’t be so much about having all the answers as it should be about making music that is healing to me and makes me feel hopeful.
Can you give our readers some background on your music?
The first thing l think people will notice when they listen to my discography is the growth – both on a technical and creative level. So far, I’ve released three Extended Plays, each one more dynamic than former, and I am proud to say I’ve invested in the quality of my music over the past two years.
My most recent EP, “Signals From A Nearby Planet” follows my internal discussions as I visit today’s outstanding crises – from racial inequity to massive economic disparity, the climate crisis, and mental health. I believe it’s my duty to use my voice to address the elephants in the room. Life is too short and the stakes are too high for us artists to keep walking on eggshells around these major issues.
And as challenging as it is at times to find a balance between honesty and outreach, I’m really at a point where I know who I am and what I want from my music. I’m on this experimental train, completely unsure of the destination, but pleased to be along for the ride.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I would have to say performing for a VERY tough crowd and pushing through it – start to finish. This was pre-coronavirus, of course, but I had a gig in a packed room with an older audience. When it comes to my own music, I’m used to performing around people my age, mostly at high energy queer-oriented events, so this setting was a massive contrast.
When I perform, I give it a lot because, you know, these songs are my babies! But the majority of this experience was spent singing as the audience talked amongst themselves and engaged minimally with my efforts. I think I performed a total of seven or eight songs like this.
One part of me felt embarrassed by the lack of interest, but another part of me felt really empowered afterwards – like I could do it again, even more confident the next time.
Contact Info:
- Website: Estafi.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/hiestafi
- Facebook: Facebook.com/hiestafi
- Twitter: Twitter.com/hiestafi
- Other: https://linktr.ee/Estafi
Image Credit:
Jordan Thompkins
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