Today we’d like to introduce you to Chandler Stevenson.
Hi Chandler, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Music for me started as a young child. I started playing the violin in the second grade, then went on to play saxophone in the fifth grade. I got a guitar around 6th or 7th grade as a Christmas gift and got a couple of lessons but ended up not sticking with it. I started rapping from a young age also. When traveling to my dad’s house in Alabama from Savannah, Georgia me and my stepbrother used to write raps in the car to pass the time. In high school, I continued working on my artistry, eventually to win the talent show my senior year with my friend Chris (cxsmic) and winning a rap competition on Instagram. Music for me became more and more a major part of my life. I started producing my senior year in high school and fell in love with it. Going into college, I continued producing and making music which lead me to meeting some lifelong friends.
I remember one Christmas break, my friend Tae challenged me to make 100 beats over the breaks, yet he still doesn’t claim I achieved it because I finished the challenge on the last day! It’s those moments that have really developed me to this point in life. I remember coming home after class to record with friends in my room all the time. My partna Rik lived in the same complex as me, so we was always locked in the studio. I even remember missing a test one time cause our session went over. I also met my collective music Stvlks in college and we have been making amazing music ever since. The thrill of making good music is irreplaceable, the laughs, the tears, everything it’s just so beautiful. I even picked up my guitar on and off for a couple weeks at a time in college and even went and bought an acoustic, but once again, it didn’t stick.
Fast-forward to after college and a couple EP’s on Soundcloud and Spinrilla. I ended up moving to Charlotte and was going to an open-mic night or artist showcase at least four times a week just to network I wasn’t even performing at the time. Around this time, I started getting this feeling that the guitar was calling my name to play it. The feeling got so strong that I decided to pick up the guitar and give it another try. After playing consistently for a couple months and playing a couple of gigs, the pandemic hit, and I ended up playing 4 hours a day and got pretty good pretty fast. Im so thankful for the amazing musicians and artists and got to play within Charlotte for sure helped to develop my sound. Now finally, I live in Atlanta and have been on the go soon as I touched down. From session guitar work, Production/Writing camps, still producing and rapping myself, the world is my oyster right now and I am living everything I could imagine. Its already been so many amazing jam session and recording session and met some really dope people. Im excited for what the future hold.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
In so many words, God and the universe really be looking out for the kid, I can’t lie. That being said, I can’t say that the road has been smooth. Along the way, especially now, its hard being so close to your dreams yet still not being able to live them fully it can take a toll on you mentally. Cause having the money to fund this art form is not cheap so you have to work to survive and pay for music. I have a full-time job, an internship at a guitar shop, and an internship at a music studio. Balancing those things and building a career as an artist isn’t fun all the time and you can only imagine what my sleep is like, but its all worth it when I see how close I’ve come so far.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
In a way, you can say I am a jack of all trades. I rap, produce, play guitar. I also used to DJ and was on a dance team in college. My degree is in Multimedia & Film so I film and edit all of my social media content. In addition, I engineer a bit too. Really if you name it, I do it. As of late, I have for sure been focusing on playing my guitar and writing more, though. Being a session musician/producer and playing alongside artists would probably be what Im most known in my immediate circle, but on Instagram, I am known for playing my guitar and rapping. There is so much more to come!
I would say I’m most proud of the network I’ve been able to create in such a short time of being in Atlanta. What sets me apart from others in my opinion is that I use my instrument as an extension of myself, not as much a tool just to get an idea out. That does apply, but it’s so much deeper to me when you are literally setting intentional vibrations that you want to come from your instrument. It sounds weird but its felt every time I play, so I know just how real it is. My artist name is Feelinfluence because thats exactly what I do. I influence the feelings in the room!
Who else deserves credit in your story?
The most credit goes to my mom! She’s done so much for me and her guidance has allowed me to partake on the huge endeavors that I set my mind to. My whole immediate family unit, uncles, aunts, and cousins, have been integral in my growth also and my Grandfather. My mentor Warren who was one of the leaders on my dance team freshman year and also one of my frat brothers now is always someone I come to for advice and a listening ear.
I would also like to thank Brad for helping me navigate through the industry. My friends from the different places I’ve lived also deserve credit too. I’m so appreciative of my friends from Savannah, Georgia Southern, Charlotte, and my new friends and supporters in Atlanta. They support me so much, and it means the world to me. I intern at a guitar shop in Marietta, and the owner of the shop, Wendell has also done more than he will ever know to help mentor me even in the short time that I have been there. Finally, my amazing friends in my music collective that push me to be better every day.
Contact Info:
- Email: Thefeelinfluence@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefeelinfluence/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUPk-KF7VUs2-TZCa9pjp6A
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/handlerthechancellor/albums
Image Credits:
Milas Avery Instagram- @themilastouch
