Daily Inspiration: Meet Stefan Kennedy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stefan Kennedy.

Hi Stefan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Growing up there was a ton of different music in the house; my mom was into a lot of pop music, reggae and rock, my dad is very into rap and hip-hop, my great uncle made a living from being a touring rockabilly artist and I got to see him a few times.

As I got older I became a big Green Day fan, I don’t fully remember how they came on my radar, but I’m not complaining. Then that progressed into bands like blink-182, New Found Glory, etc. But, I really got into music and started delving deep into genres during the pandemic because my little sister knew I was looking to expand my taste so-to-speak and was fully ready for it. I refer to her as my “old head” from time to time.

Right before the pandemic, Glass Generation had started. We actually played our first show about a month before the world shut down. As weird as it sounds, I’m almost grateful for that time because it allowed me to really refine what I loved, what I wanted to write about and what Glass Generation would become.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being in a band is amazing, it definitely has its ups and downs. Being at a DIY level means that you’re doing all the marketing, writing, press pitching, etc. while also funding the whole project and it can stack up. I’ve been overdrawn on my bank account while I’m on tour.

I think the biggest obstacle that most, if not all, artists can relate to is having absolutely no idea what you’re doing but still finding creative ways to get themselves heard. There is never going to be one way of doing it, and it becomes this ever-changing thing that forces you to keep learning and roll with the punches.

It in no way comes from a place of being “bitter” towards what I do; I love it and I wouldn’t change it for anything. As difficult as being in a band can be, it has allowed us to see places we never thought we’d see, make some amazing friendships and overall just enhance our lives for the better.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am in an emo/pop punk band from Los Angeles called Glass Generation. We’ve been performing locally and nationally since 2021.

I think it’s safe to say that our upcoming EP is what we are currently most proud of. We were working on it for about a year and a half, and it is the most vulnerable we’ve allowed ourselves to be up to this point.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I think taking risks is a necessary part of doing anything worth-while. Especially in a space like music, you get into it because its your passion and it is what shaped you in any capacity.

You run the risk of being shamed by peers and even family unfortunately, you run the risk of running into financial struggles, you can get caught up in unrealistic comparisons to other artists, you risk it not working out the way you want it to.

But its all okay, the risks are all worth it for the fulfillment of following your passions and doing it for yourself. Money and “fame” are cool to envision, but it is much more rewarding knowing that you took the risk to follow a path that YOU want to lead.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/glassgenerationca
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/glassgenerationca
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1f7LuGNQAyk8KVA76K5Gjt

Image Credits
Image credits by Chris Huerta