Metal Wani‘s Carl O’Rourke recently sat down Scott Stapp (Creed, Art of Anarchy) to talk about life, songwriting, as well as his latest solo endeavor, ‘The Space Between The Shadows’. Stapp is the voice behind Grammy-winning, multi-platinum selling albums and served as an integral part to the soundtrack of the ’90s, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Asked if he agrees that at this point in his career that he is singing the best he has up to present day, Scott agreed,
“I think you’re dead on point, I think I am singing better than I ever have, and I think that has to do with giving up smoking. I think it has to do with my training regiment, you know; running five miles a day, so my lung capacity is in the best shape it has been in my life, since my early 20’s. And then I think finally beginning to really study the technique of singing. My career in the early days up until probably, I would say, seven, eight years ago I was just going from sheer, just, ability and not really studying the proper technique in how to preserve your voice when you sing. But also how to sing and expand your range and your style. And so I began to really work on that and hone in on my craft. And then along with the change in lifestyle, you know, I’ve been sober now for five years, and I think a combination of all of that has given me a little bit of a fountain of youth or resurgence with the voice and I think improved it in a lot of ways.”
After being offered the opinion that his latest solo record, ‘The Space Between The Shadows’, offers a reflection of where he is today and offers up lessons learned with a sense of purpose, Scott generously shared,
“No, I think you’re absolutely on point, 100%. I think that with the change in lifestyle comes a newfound clarity. And I think with maturity comes, as a writer, at least for me, being more candid, poignant and clear, and not hiding behind analogy and pros and poetry and just really trying to take things head-on, and write about them in a clear and concise way to really get across the message that I’m trying to share. Whether it be introspective or self-reflection, or to share a story or a commentary or just share something I’ve learned, and so I appreciate your words man, because that is exactly what I was trying to accomplish.”
Once asked “Who is Scott Stapp?”, he replied “A husband and Father,”. Now asked what he hopes his legacy will one day look like Scott said,
“Of course, as you said, a husband and a father, but also a survivor, and someone who took parts of his life that were a mess and turned it into a message to help others going through similar things. To bring hope amidst others pain, and whose music had meaning and connected to people on a very deeper and personal level and impacted their life in some way. I hope it’s a combination of all of that.”
WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW BELOW: