The spirit of Wales stays with Stephen Hill-Clement no matter where his music takes him. With a career built on authenticity and connection with audiences, his songs are stories that blend indie, soul, and electronic sound, leaving listeners with something personal and universal.

“I’m from Cardiff, where the music scene is rich with history – people like Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, and Manic Street Preachers have all come from these parts,” he shares with Celtic Life International via email. “It is a place where music feels like it’s in the air you breathe.”

Although he travels extensively for work, Hill-Clement remains based in Cardiff, where the landscapes and people keep him grounded. “There’s something about the mountains, the coastlines, and the quiet villages here that feeds my creativity. Plus, I like being close to family and friends.”

His love of music was instilled early on. “My mum was a huge fan of soul, so I was always listening to legends like Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. My dad was in bands, so I was also influenced by rock and pop. A melting pot of genres was always playing in the house.”

This inspiration, combined with his own creativity, led him to integrate deeper elements into his craft.

“Music has this powerful ability to express emotions that words alone can’t. I’m still driven by that need to connect with people on a deeper level. The human experience is universal.”

Yet his early career was marked more by fiery ambition. “When I first started, I was focused on just getting my sound out there, raw and unpolished. As I’ve grown as an artist, I’ve become more intentional about the stories I want to tell and the sound I want to create.”

As with many who choose a life in music, however, the path is not always smooth. “The biggest challenge is the unpredictability of it all. One day, you’re on top of the world, and the next, you’re wondering if you’ll make it through the next gig. It’s a constant hustle.”

Ultimately, though, Hill-Chapman wouldn’t have it any other way. “There’s nothing like performing live and connecting with an audience. When I’m on stage, it’s like everything else fades away, and I’m in the moment, sharing something real.” Knowing that a song or lyric I wrote has brought them joy is the ultimate reward.”

And there have been other rewards and career highlights. “I have been on the Radio Wales A List twice, been played on BBC Radio 1Xtra, on Spotify playlists, performed at Wembley Arena, and have done various TV shows. Getting to do what I love for a living is a huge privilege.”

That privilege, however, has not come about without effort, with his creative process balanced between moments of artistic vision that often bring on extended periods of labor. “Inspiration strikes unexpectedly, and then comes the long hours of tweaking melodies, finding the right words, and refining the production. Music isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it when everything clicks.”

What ‘clicks’ for Hill-Clement most is his particular perspective. “Life itself inspires me,” he says simply. “Relationships, the highs and lows, the little moments that make up the human experience.”

His live performances pay tribute to this heartfelt approach, where he strives for more than mere technical precision. “A good song needs to have a strong emotional core that resonates on a personal level with energy, connection, and authenticity. A good live show isn’t just about hitting the right notes or playing a perfect setlist. It’s about the interaction between the artist and the audience, creating a space where everyone feels like they’re part of something bigger than themselves.”

Ultimately, his heart remains in his home country and its music scene. “Wales has a rich musical tradition, and we’ve got a ton of incredible talent here. However, I think the scene can sometimes be overlooked, especially compared to places like London.”

He believes collaboration and investment can keep the tradition strong: “Supporting smaller venues, giving emerging artists more opportunities to perform, and offering more platforms for Welsh-language music would help boost the scene.”

Hill-Clement himself is also set to boost his own latest projects. “I’m currently working on new music that dives deeper into some personal themes like identity, the complexities of relationships, and finding peace in an unpredictable world. I’m also planning a tour to support the latest release and looking forward to connecting with fans live.”

@sjhillmusic