Stephen McCafferty 'Lord Knows I'm Trying' out 24/1/25!
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 song-writing.
Combining reflective, introspective lyrics with anthemic choruses, Stephen draws inspiration from the classic song-writing of the 20th century, infusing his music with a timeless quality that resonates with listeners. His songs explore existential themes influenced by literature and 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; cars, a digger, and even a surprisingly comfortable, albeit rusty, old wheelbarrow.
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. Having released five singles in 2024, he is set to kick off 2025 with 'Lord Knows I’m Trying', his sixth single, releasing on January 24th. Following a year of intensive studio sessions, and with even more planned for the year ahead, Stephen continues to evolve as an artist, promising much more to come.
New single 'Lord Knows I'm Trying'
is out 24/1/25 across all platforms!
Pre-save:
https://ffm.to/rk5m27
"Lord Knows I’m Trying is a song about holding on when it feels easiest to let go. Rooted in simple honesty and quiet resilience, it reflects on the tension between the weight of the past and the hope for what’s still to come. The sparseness of its instrumentation leaves room for the vocals and lyrics to take centre stage, creating an intimate yet expansive space for reflection. The song explores the fragile moments where self-doubt and perseverance meet. While the chorus carries a big, anthemic swell, it avoids grand declarations, instead offering a gentle reminder: keep a fire burning, even when it flickers low. It captures a sense of nostalgia - a fragile and tender anguish, as Primo Levi once described it -inviting listeners into that delicate emotional space. At its heart, Lord Knows I’m Trying is less about having the answers and more about the effort to keep showing up, one uncertain step at a time" - Stephen McCafferty
https://linktr.ee/StephenMcCafferty
Photo credit: Bas Van Tuijl
'Lord Knows I'm Trying' written by Stephen McCafferty
Recorded and Mixed by Garry Boyle at Slate Room Studios
Mastered by Stuart Hamilton at Castle Sound Studio
Acoustic Guitar & Vocals - Stephen McCafferty
Drums - Jason Rees / Bass - Dario Ferrante
Piano - Pete Nicholson / Guitar - Alan Barbour
FOR FANS OF:
THE SHINS ● THE WAR ON DRUGS ● WILCO
