Video: Stephen, ‘Delilah’

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Stephen (Photo by Undine Markus)

Stephen Swartz, who makes avant-pop music under the name Stephen, is frank about the origins of his new single “Delilah.” The examination of addiction, sexuality and ego involved cocaine, cross-dressing and loss of self-control.

“This last year I stumbled into a strange ritual,” Stephen says. “I would do a copious amount of cocaine, and while high, alone in my room, would put on dresses and makeup, imagine and feel myself as a female, indulge in seductive and fantastical aspects of my being I didn’t know existed. Many nights I made contact with a sex-crazed, fiendish side of myself. I experienced freedom and perspective through her that I can’t describe, but at the cost of really hurting my body, and for a moment there losing some self control.

“… I’m honestly still making sense of it. I’m not a huge fan of cocaine, and I have no desire to be anything but a male, but the combination of a dopamine surge and my wild imagination sent me into this bizarre fantasy. It’s like I’m so attracted to the female that the only thing better than being close to one was being one. I will say this, it inspired an entire album.”

That album, “Akrasia,” will be out Aug. 21. It’s his first since a battle with Lyme disease forced the singer-songwriter to take a year-long hiatus after his 2016 full-length “Stephen,” which was propelled by the hit “Crossfire.” He spent the time off back home in his native Virginia, engaging in some serious introspection. He came back in 2019 to release the EP “It’s Too Much Love To Know My Dear” before again doing some self-searching in Thailand.

Mason Thorne directs the video for “Delilah,” as the Highland Park-based artist plays out his impulses.

“So ‘Delilah’ is the unknown,” Stephens says. “She is every stone you have yet to turn over, every road you’re scared to travel down or didn’t know existed. She is your shadow — all of your unrealized potentials; all of the thoughts, feelings, desires and actions that you are capable of, but aren’t consciously expressing or aware of. I encourage you all to be careful, but more so, brave and willing to explore the unknown sides of yourself. I’m not saying do drugs, LOL. I’m not saying wear a dress. I’m not saying you have to explore any of the things I did. But just … listen to your heart, and follow your passion. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. The muse is calling, always.”

Besides following his music, Stephen has also launched the podcast “Sincerely Stephen.”

||| Watch: The video for “Delilah”

||| Also: Stream “Stray Nights” and “TRACER”