Tell us about your career, including your history, where you are from and how you started?
My name is Blayne Stone aka beatsblayne aka Blizzy Stiz. I was born and raised in Barrie Ontario. My first exposure to music was receiving a guitar for Christmas when I was 12 years old. My grandfather is an exceptional musician and my brother and I started jamming and taking lessons with him; it was a really fun time jamming with my grandpa and brother. Shortly after my first few lessons I broke my arm which put a halt into my guitar studies.
Fast forward to high school, I entered the music room and my life changed forever. I picked up the guitar again and started learning music theory alongside playing trumpet in concert & jazz band. I gravitated towards music because I found it very challenging, specifically playing in front of people. It was always so nerve racking to get in front of people and share songs I have written. It is vulnerable, I am sharing a piece of my heart with the listener every time I play. After high school I was accepted to Western to study philosophy and English. This lasted a year. I wanted to pursue music. I stumbled upon the Creative Industries program at the formerly known Ryerson University.
I was accepted to this program in 2013. There I studied music business and the entertainment industry as a whole. Throughout my time at Ryerson, I became a self-taught multi-instrumentalist. Playing in bands and going to see shows every night. When I was 20 years old, I decided to fully pursue music as a job. I have been a session musician, booking agent, live sound engineer, band manager, artwork designer, beat maker, bartender, bouncer, busker; anything I could do related to the music industry I was going to do. When the pandemic hit, I unfortunately lost my dream job in Toronto. I took it personally, like I wasn’t talented enough.
I spent the next year of my life writing, recording, performing and releasing a song every day. First, it was out of spite, to prove to everyone that I could hang. Very early in my 365 daily challenge, I realized I was being egocentric and my mindset had to change. I started writing music for myself and I learnt spitefulness is a wasted emotion. Music is all love.
Why did you decide to be a solo artist rather than form a band?
The month is July 2022, I get a call from my great friend and roommate Neemz. I say ‘hey there, pal’ he says ‘Blizzy Stiz’ I say ‘what, why stiz?’ (as I heard him call me blizzy for many months at this point). He says ‘Stiz for Stone, so blizzy stiz’ I say ‘Yo, that’s my new solo name.’ Neemz created Blizzy Stiz. I had been on a search for several months to find a new name, a new persona, an outlet where I could release my solo music and songs with my voice. In the past I have always been a beat maker, a ghost writer, a producer, writing music for other people to use. All the while still writing my own songs; however, never really giving those songs the right home or thoughtful push I was giving towards some of my other projects. I have been in many great bands before; but was never a lead songwriter in any of those projects. Blizzy Stiz allows me to tell my story and allows me to sing my words and connect with people.
Do you have any recorded music available for fans?
Yes, I have a music video out right now called Big Dreams.
I also have a bunch of beats and other songs under the name beatsblayne. I also currently work for an app that allows anyone to become a songwriter and musician, it is called mayk.it I have written over 300 beats for the platform.
How would you describe your music?
My music is genre bending. The recording process is loose. I like to make mistakes and turn them into happy accidents. I play what I feel, it could be country one day, metal/hardcore the next. Whatever allows me to tell my story to the audience. My music is guitar, bass and vocal driven.
What makes your music stand out from the others?
The genre bending aspect of my music allows me to create a unique experimental sound that people may be unfamiliar with. My love for my music, I like to have fun with my music. Music is the universal language and to be able to communicate through music is a privilege and an honor.
What do you like to do outside of music that contributes to your music?
I like to play basketball. The fluidity and rhythm of being on the court reminds me of the same kind of feeling as being in the studio. Continually putting up jump shots reminds me of running scales consistently to get ready for performance time.
I enjoy rocking collages in photoshop, video editing, etc. These hobbies all remind me of different aspects of making music.
Name your two biggest musical influences and why?
Wax: LA based rapper Wax has been my biggest influence since I was 14 years old. I consider him and his music a mentor to me. Anytime I am struggling creatively, I always find myself going back to his music. He is a huge reason as to why I decided to pursue music and has played a role in the types of people I surround myself with in this industry. His music has gotten me through triumphs, failures, loss, gain and everything in between. I will always be indebted to Wax for the incredible art and guidance he has provided me and many others like me.
Felly: Felly is it. Being in a similar age range (28) to Felly, and being a fan for so long (since I was 14). I was able to watch Felly on YouTube rapping in his high school cafeteria to see him performing sold out shows across the United States. Watching his career through a computer screen and the occasional live performance has been lesson after lesson. I have fallen deep into unhealthy comparisons; however, it has always made me mentally stronger when I learn lessons, such as you do not need to compare yourself to anyone. Much like spitefulness, envy has the ability to consume you. Felly’s music has inspired me throughout the years to grow and take risks as a musician.
Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs?
I write my songs. Music, arrangement, all the instruments involved, etc. Sometimes I will have help for recording and playing various parts with musicians much more proficient on their instrument than me. I love collaborating and sharing my music with fellow musicians.
The main themes of my music are love. I love making love making music. Heart break. Social commentary. Party anthems. Thought provoking music. I am never tied to a specific theme or topic, the music takes me where I need to be.
https://youtu.be/tmDSijEafgY
What has been your biggest challenge as a bartist? Have you been able to overcome that challenge?
Consistency. Before you even start it feels like you have to be posting on social media across several different platforms 5 times a day. I enjoy making content, but sometimes I just want to sit alone in my room with a guitar. How I overcome this is by setting goals and challenges for myself. Attaining something for myself, not the internet. Building an audience is difficult. In 2023 I want to focus on telling my story.
What current projects are you working on at the moment?
Rose Petals: Rose Petals is an ode to being bi-sexual. A song that allows you to question your feelings without judgment. A song that allows you to scream at the top of your lungs for no reason other than to do it. A song that provides you with an understanding that we are all people.
Spotify: Blizzy Stiz
Instagram: @blizzy.stiz
