Growing up in London, Tony Stephenson’s musical journey was inspired by his late musician father. Rebelling against the guitar lessons he was initially taught, Tony found his true calling at the age of 13 when he began experimenting with DJing on belt drive turntables. Choosing decks and old-school garage over the traditional school system, he acquired his own turntables and spent years refining his craft in the intimate confines of his bedroom.
His passion for music deepened as he delved further into the UK garage scene, avidly collecting vinyl from various vendors across London. At 17, Tony secured his first gigs in a local bar, showcasing his talent and love, eventually securing residencies based on his musical prowess.
The turning point came when he discovered the deeper realms of house music, sharing his evolving skills by posting videos on YouTube. This online presence led to international gigs in Paris, marking the beginning of a remarkable journey that saw him gracing renowned London clubs like Ministry of Sound, Phonox, Fire Warehouse, and holding residencies at EGG Club and Lightbox. He played regularly for Solid Grooves in the early days and was a founding resident of the number one after-hours party in London, DAWN.
Tony’s musical journey extended beyond the UK, taking him to clubs worldwide, including iconic venues in Ibiza, Malta, Bulgaria, Holland, Andorra, and Italy. He shared stages with acclaimed artists such as Michael Bibi, Hot Since 82, Hector Couto, Detlef, Anja Schneider, Rodriguez Jr, and more.
Taking a hiatus from the DJ lifestyle, Tony shifted his focus to production, immersing himself in mastering the craft. During this time, he released Marvin Gaye edits that garnered over 10k plays on SoundCloud. Eager to evolve musically, he embarked on a global journey, disconnecting from social media to reconnect with the essence of music.
His influences, spanning from Marvin Gaye, Maze, Earth Wind and Fire to Prince, shaped a new musical vision – a fusion of jazzy, soulful, garage, and disco-inspired elements, with a touch of the deeper sounds that defined his earlier work.
Tony’s quest for musical exploration led him to settle in South America, where he began a new chapter, swapping dark dancefloors for mountains and sunsets, forming a deep connection between music and nature. Now armed with years of experience, wisdom, and a deep-seated passion for the art form, Tony Stephenson emerges, older, wiser, and many years deep into a musical adventure that knows no bounds. The mission continues.
