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Tag: stephen sanchez

  • Stephen Sanchez’s ‘Sweet Love’ Is Bringing Slow-Burn Romance Back

    There is something quietly radical about writing a love letter in 2026. Not a text. Not a voice note. And definitely not a soft launch on your Instagram story. We’re talking about a real love letter, one that’s intentional, slow, and meant to last. And of course, when we talk about love in its purest form, we’re doing it to the soundtrack of Stephen Sanchez. He just seems to get it. With his new single ‘Sweet Love,’ Stephen is reminding us all why romance doesn’t need to be rushed. So, let’s dive into this new era for Sanchez and how ‘Sweet Romance’ is bringing slow-burn romance back.

    Dear Readers

    Before we jump into ‘Sweet Love,’ we need to take a moment to appreciate and hype Stephen’s music to our hive. Stephen’s music has always felt handwritten. From his first concept album, Angel Face, in 2023, bringing to life 50s and 60s sounds, to his recent project with Devi, Dress & Tie, there’s an unmistakable intimacy to everything he creates. For someone just 23 years old, his songs feel like pressed flowers between pages. Like smudged ink where feelings got a little too real. And it’s this deeply personal touch, this emotional intentionality, that shines so clearly in ‘Sweet Love.’

    Image Credit: 2b Entertainment PR

    Signed and Sung with Intention

    ‘Sweet Love’ marks the beginning of a new chapter for Stephen, one that is set to be rooted in devotion, reflection, and emotional honesty. Sonically, the song is upbeat but still lyrically very tender. And the lyrics explore love in all its complexity, the good, the messy, the imperfect and the everyday choice to show up for someone. Stephen shared that the song is about the act of choosing love daily. Not the cinematic kind we saw in his previous work, but the quiet, lived-in version. With lyrics like “You’re my prayer come true, can I stay with you?” It’s a sentiment that feels refreshingly grounded and demonstrates the singer’s artistic growth from his previous projects, especially in a world that’s always rushing forward.

    Image Credit: Luke Rogers Courtesy of 2b Entertainment PR

    Home Is Where the Heart Is

    One thing we love about Stephen Sanchez and his body of work is the artistry behind it. We see this shine through in the ‘Sweet Love’ music video. Shot in his grandparents’ home and co-starring the couple themselves (yep, we’re not lying), the video pays tribute to the place where Stephen first discovered his love for music, which was flipping through his grandfather’s record collection.

    We all have memories attached to certain environments, and we are extremely lucky to be welcomed into Stephen’s world in a way that is tender without being performative. It’s emotional without being overdone. Directed by Jason Lester, the video for us felt like stepping into someone else’s memories and realising that love simply exists all around.

    The Start Of A Sweet New Era

    Stephen is back, and ‘Sweet Love,’ being his first solo release since Angel Face, is the perfect welcome back. And, to mark the new era, Stephen gave fans their first live taste of ‘Sweet Love’ at an exclusive pop-up show at Nashville’s The Basement East, where he performed the song alongside fan favorites (and a few unreleased) to a sold-out crowd. The night carried what we can only describe as a soft opening to what’s shaping up to be a big year ahead for the singer.

    One thing about Stephen Sanchez is that he beautifully combines retro instruments, storytelling, and themes of young love through modern perspectives, all with a sound that emulates the 50s and 60s. So of course, our hips are swaying, our feet are tapping, and we’re playing ‘Sweet Love’ on repeat. Over to you, honeybees, how excited are you for this new era? Because, as a hive (after we’ve collectively gotten over how sweet his grandparents dancing together in the music video is), we will be tuning it! Let us know in the comments or on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook!  

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT STEPHEN SANCHEZ:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE | YOUTUBE

    Joanna Rose

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  • How Stephen Sanchez And Devi’s Dress & Tie Revives Timeless Romance

    Yes, she is the dress, and he is the tie.

    There’s a certain kind of magic that disappears when the world just moves too fast. The kind of magic that once lived in handwritten love letters, notes on mixtapes, and perfectly hushed harmonies that made you feel like you were eavesdropping on someone’s heart. With Dress & Tie, the self-titled side project for artists Stephen Sanchez and Devi, they’re bringing that exact magic back, stepping into a sepia-tinted photograph or slipping into a story about two people who realize they’re meant to sing to each other before they’ve even said a single word. The EP chases the truth, not the trends, and is everything we need to end the crazy year that has been 2025.

    Image Source: Courtesy of Universal Music UK PR

    The Personal Project Of Dress & Tie

    Dress & Tie is the kind of project you’d expect to find in an old, slightly worn 12-inch in your grandparents’ vinyl collection. There’s that classic warmth that we know and love from both Stephen Sanchez and French artist Devi, but tailored with this modern clarity and (what we would say) ironically easy title. In a recent press release, Stephen and Devi call these songs a gift crafted from “passion over pressure.” This only depends on that sense of intimacy, where each lyric feels like artistry on an embroidered piece of fabric. That may be slightly dramatic on our end, but it’s very rare we find young artists coming together to create such passionate, timeless music together that still speaks true to both their individual artistry.

    A Love Story In Three Tracks

    ‘Me Without You’

    The EP begins so softly, as if you were watching two hands reaching for each other in slow motion. This first track places listeners right in the middle of Stephen and Devi’s unmatched chemistry. It is also the perfect intimate opening to show us that something incredible is forming here. With production stripped down to essentials by Stephen and Konrad Snyder (Noah Khan), every note literally breathes.

    ‘What Did I Do?’

    On first listen, ‘What Did I Do’ feels like the soundtrack to a classic black-and-white movie, where our lovers are walking down street-lamped, cobblestoned floors in Europe. It’s truly cinematic, with keys sprinkled across the song, harmonies, and unmatched vibes. The story follows two people who initially “kissed for fun” and are now “in love” in a way that makes us hope for their long-term love story.

    ‘Always Been You’

    The closing track is pure vintage romance, one that’s extremely optimistic and tender. It’s the kind of ending that feels like a promise and a beginning. In classic Stephen Sanchez fashion, the storytelling is gentle and grounded in the belief that love is possible. And with Devi’s voice in the mix, it becomes a duet of devotion.

    The Future Of Modern Romance Is In Very, Very Good Hands

    Dress & Tie marks Stephen Sanchez’s first release since his debut album Angel Face in 2023. His voice has always belonged to another era, and here, with Devi by his side, the nostalgia becomes a living, breathing experience. And this chapter is only the prologue, as we have more solo music to look forward to from Stephen in 2026. So we can breathe with the knowledge that the future of modern romance music is in very, very good hands.

    Dress & Tie is love tailored to fit with the intention that love songs can still be delicate, devotional, and deeply human. As Stephen describes it in a press release: “Attainable, beautiful, wonderful magic.” So, our take? Well, in a world that rushes towards heartbreak, defines love through algorithms, or drowns intimacy in noise, Dress & Tie invites us back into quiet sincerity, to connect without chaos and to feel passion without spectacle.

    How much are you loving this new project from Stephen and Devi? Let us know in the comments or on our socials, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook!  

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT STEPHEN SANCHEZ:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE | YOUTUBE

    Joanna Rose

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  • Sea.Hear.Now 2023 Proves Rock Is Here To Stay

    Sea.Hear.Now 2023 Proves Rock Is Here To Stay

    Asbury Park, New Jersey is not just a popular shore destination, but a Mecca of music history. Home of iconic venues like The Stone Pony- where Bruce Springsteen got his start in performing- thousands of people flock just for The Pony alone…but every September, the seaside city gathers to celebrate rock and roll for Sea.Hear.Now.

    Sea.Hear.Now is the perfect ending to your summer for multiple reasons. It gives you an excuse to enjoy the sun and the sand one more weekend post Labor Day, even better that you throw all of your favorite artists together. I’ve always said that festivals are the best bang for your buck as a music fan- you spend a few hundred dollars to see at least 10 artists over multiple days with general admission seating, as opposed to that $2,000 Taylor Swift ticket.

    I’ve been to a few festivals spanning from Firefly in Dover, Delaware to the infamous Coachella in Indio, California. I’ve seen bands I may not have purchased single show tickets to, and I’ve become fans of artists just by happening upon their performances at these events. Festivals are great ways to try out new music without throwing all your money away- and there’s no better way to get a feel of an artist than seeing them live.

    This was my first year at Sea.Hear.Now, and it didn’t disappoint. For fans of older music and new music alike, there’s truly something for everyone here. Located on the actual beach (so bring sand-appropriate shoes), Sea.Hear.Now features clothing pop-up shops, local food and drink vendors, and much, much more. Here are the highlights:

    The Best Performances of Sea.Hear.Now 2023

    The Killers at Sea.Hear.Now 2023

    Chris Phelps

    I’d be crazy if I didn’t start with what we all came for: the music. I hadn’t seen most of these acts live before, but I have admittedly seen (and worshipped) The Killers at Firefly a few years ago. But my reviews are as follows:

    • Sheryl Crow- if I can look half as good as her, I will consider myself successful. My first headline thought was: Breaking News: Sheryl Crow Has Still Got It. She has a powerful voice, knows how to rock the guitar, and “Soak Up The Sun” will always be famous.
    • Greta Van Fleet- one word: wow. Everyone compares them to Led Zeppelin, and I was so shocked by the vocal range and witty banter they provided. I became an instant fan.
    • Royal Blood- not only did I get the chance to interview the lovely British duo this weekend, but also see these two rockstars. Kicking off their tour, Royal Blood did not disappoint.
    • The Killers- I can’t say enough about this band and how amazing they are live. They opened with my favorite song of all time, “Mr. Brightside,” and I astral projected to the moon. Ask anyone there, The Killers are a must-see whenever they’re in town, bringing up a fan every time to play drums with them. Always electric, never a let down.

    Greta Van Fleet at Sea.Hear.Now 2023

    Pooneh Ghana

    • Stephen Sanchez- Sanchez creates story lines with his music, and to hear it seaside felt ethereal. Hits like “Until I Found You” sound better at the beach.
    • The Beach Boys- First of all, they brought out John Stamos as their drummer (instant win). But Mike Love and Bruce Johnston brought the house down, with Love’s son also helping them out. I loved every second of it.
    • Mt. Joy- Philly’s finest, Mt. Joy sounds just as good live as they do on your phone. Something about Mt. Joy at Sea.Hear.Now just makes sense.
    • Weezer- Weezer was another highlight of the festival- playing all of their hits and sounding identical to their soundtracks. “Beverly Hills” and “My Name is Jonas” were some of my faves.
    • The Foo Fighters- The Foo Fighter fans were plentiful, belting out every word. They didn’t miss a beat, and were the perfect ending to a rock-filled weekend.

    The Food at Sea.Hear.Now 

    At any given festival, the food looks better than it tastes. It’s just a fact, no matter what they try and tell you. However, I did have my first Korean-style corn dog, which was essentially a giant mozzarella stick with a hot dog in the center and sauce on top…and it was delicious despite the fact that it would have sent a Pilgrim into cardiac arrest.

    The drinks were moderately priced compared to other festivals I’ve been to, there were plenty of free water stations (as opposed to Coachella), and I need to give a special shoutout to the Hendricks Boat Bar. They had the best triage of Hendricks drinks (I don’t even like gin and these were delicious) curated by Erik Andersson, who also gave us a great tour.

    The Experience at Sea.Hear.Now

    Cam Richards

    Fiona Mullen

    Sea.Hear.Now has a lot to offer: picture opportunities, specific drink tents like Tito’s, Twisted Tea, etc., and even shopping opportunities. And for once, I want to emphasize the perks that VIP tickets could get you: your own viewing area close to the stage so it’s never a bad view, access to festival merchandise (not bands, however), your own bathroom area and food/bars, TV’s and a lounge. It’s truly worth the upgrade.

    There’s even a surfing competition, which honestly worried me a bit since there was a hurricane but I’m not the professional. But what I loved about this festival is it stayed true to Asbury Park’s roots, featuring everything the small city had to offer.

    No matter what, it’s a more relaxed vibe compared to the intense marathon that Coachella is. You have a wider age range of people, all dressed however they want (from festival chic to football jerseys on Sunday). But that’s the beauty of Sea.Hear.Now: come as you are, all will be welcomed.

    Jai Phillips

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  • Stephen Sanchez on Songwriting and His Sublime Retro Sound

    Stephen Sanchez on Songwriting and His Sublime Retro Sound

    Many younger artists are embracing the music of previous decades. 2022 was full of Y2K rock and ’80s pop.

    Few go back as far as Stephen Sanchez. Inspired by his grandparents’ record collection, the 20-year-old has embraced the sound of artists like Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly, Ricky Nelson, and Elvis. His love for the 1950s and early ’60s paid off. “Until I Found You” has racked up over a billion streams and views.

    Jordan Edwards and Demi Ramos talk to Sanchez about the massive success of “Until I Found You,” receiving a phone call from Elton John, and his plans for music in 2023.

    Stephen Sanchez | It’s Real with Jordan and Demi

    For from Stephen Sanchez, follow him on Instagram and TikTok.

    Staff

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