Since performing in the opening act of Michael Jackson’s HIStory World Tour in Lausanne in 1997, Stefan Filey has come a long way and with some famous people: Barbara Hendricks, Céline Dion, Mariah Carey, George Benson, Johnny Hallyday, Pascal Obispo, Nilda Fernandez , Patricia Kaas, Zaz, Christophe Mae… ONAIR has met the singer, pianist, songwriter and gem of the Soul scene.
ONAIR – Stefan Filey, you have just released the Concept Track “11’22 for Marvin” in tribute to Marvin Gaye’s 50th anniversary of “What’s Going On”. Why did you make this choice?
Stefan Filey – Marvin Gaye means a lot to me. His sensitivity speaks to me. I feel the connection. For me, this album revolutionized contemporary music. It turned 50 in 2021 and I released the medley on December 25, 2021. There is playlist culture today and I wanted to release a counter-current concept. I also find its design innovative. I usually work in a studio but this time I did everything at home: rhythmic vocals, keyboards, flutes, with the participation of musician Allen Hoist. This modality brings a singularity, a signature, a different way of arranging music in space. I intend to make a clip with a shorter medley.
OA – You were born in the Paris region and your parents are from the Caribbean. What music rocked you when you were younger?
SF – My father would listen to Les Aiglons, La Perfecta, Eugène Mona… They are all part of my musical history. But passion was born from spiritual awakening, through the church, through songs of praise, close to classical music and with American influences for some. Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Wonder inspired me a lot. At the time we had few role models: black Americans played that role for us. We identified with their music, their phrasing. That’s the starting point for many French soul and jazz artists. I listened and still listen to instrumental music a lot. Miles Davis, Bill Evans… Instrumental jazz raised me!
OA – The gospel band Sweetness was founded in 1992…
SF – Indeed, it was a great adventure that brought us together, me, my brother Rycko and the Battery brothers, famous musicians. We were all from the West Indies-Guiana. We performed for eight years on stages in Europe and elsewhere. The first year, we were elected revelations of the Francofolies in La Rochelle. Our highlight was our participation in the opening act of Michael Jackson’s HIStory World Tour in Lausanne.
OA – Then came emancipation…
SF – Yes, we had singularities that became difficult to explore as a band… At the same time, I was already involved with “Absolutely Funk”, initially created by the French channel Canal Plus to accompany Les Robins des Bois. And in 2000, I decided to devote myself to my true passion, soul music, and start a solo career.
OA – At the beginning you were a self-taught musician. How did you “strengthen” your gift?
SF – Starting in my twenties I had vocal coaching by Lydie Walter and I took courses with different teachers in the United States. I was also a student at the Bill Evans Piano Academy for 2 years. Until then, I played the piano by ear. Since then, I have continued to improve myself by working on my voice and my music on a daily basis. I’ll always be a student!
OA – You are considered to be hard-working. Your work on yourself goes beyond chords. Where did this approach come from?
SF – As a teenager I was more attracted to sport and I practiced basketball and athletics. Those years brought me the discipline and rigor that I still have in my work but also a specific lifestyle. I follow a vegan diet, without dairy products that can damage my voice. Beyond the physical benefits, it is a spiritual process. The body is a temple and this philosophy of non-violence towards animals speaks to me. I feel a difference at the “vibrational” level.
OA – Another artist you have been with on numerous tours since 2013, Christophe Maé, leaves nothing to chance …
SF – Yes, Christophe Maé is a great artist. He is a friend who impresses me with his will, his determination, his ability to work to carry out all his projects. He is a visionary on his career that he sees in the long term. He’s also a great showman!
OA – You have worked with some big names throughout your career. What feelings does their contact generate in you?
SF – One of my first shocks was with Melonie Daniels, vocal coach of Mariah Carey for whom I was a backing vocalist at the Bercy concert in 1996. Melonie had perfect pitch and I was speechless. Mariah Carey also impressed me, as well as Barbara Hendricks or Céline Dion, not to mention Richard Smallwood – my Sweetness band played in the first part of his concerts in the 90s. Certain artists generated emotional shocks in me. I was sometimes stunned, not understanding what was going on. But beyond the voice, they offered me a great human experience, like Johnny Hallyday when I was his backing vocalist in 2015. On his “Rester Vivant Tour”, I discovered him as someone caring and rather shy. The rehearsals took place in Los Angeles. I was impressed by his professionalism and his charisma on stage and in real life.
OA – Transmission has always been important to you. You have regularly supported young and not so young talents.
SF – Indeed, for example in 2012 I was repetiteur for the Star Academy program on NRJ12 and I also accompanied the students on the piano during the prime times throughout the season. In addition, I have been a vocal coach since 2017. I recently coached actors Tahar Rahim and Adil Dehbi for the series “The Eddy”.
OA – How is your creativity doing in this difficult period for artists?
SF – It may be paradoxical, but the pandemic has helped me focus on creativity. It gave me even more confidence in my ability to create. I released my album “La pluie est belle aussi” (Rain is beautiful too) just before the first lockdown on March 5, 2020. I then started a tour in the fall, performing in the opening at Christophe Maé’s concerts. I sang on the title “Brother” by Amen Viana, a Caribbean Afrobeat mix. Amen was the guitarist for bassist Stéphane Castry. I also collaborated on several titles in Stéphane Castry’s album “Basstry Therapy”. Finally, I participated in a tribute track to Prince, “Musicology”, a song by July Saury. Those were two busy years! I am currently composing songs for the upcoming album by prodigy, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Allen Hoist. Also working on an album with Pierre Grosz known for writing songs for Michel Jonazs, Michel Polnareff, Michel Delpech, Gilbert Bécaud in particular. And in imminent release, the new title of bassist Chyco Simeon, a cover of Maze’s “Before I let go” which I worked on.
OA – What do you wish for the future?
SF – Meeting saxophonist Wayne Shorter. Just seeing him would make me feel emotional! (laughs) More concretely, I want to be a driving force the way I am on the album in preparation for Martha High. I want to put my mark, whether in directing or composing. I want to continue to assert myself and fertilize my creative soil. Either we are creators or we are victims. I have chosen to be a creator and I wish everyone to experience the change they call for. It begins with and within ourselves.
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Propos recueillis par : Agnès Monlouis-Félicité
