Stenn Francis-Deare is an alternative singer-songwriter based in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland, NZ), known for crafting evocative music that effortlessly blends country, folk-rock and baroque-pop influences.

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Stenn's journey into performance began at just eight years old, dressed as a bat on stage with Hamilton's Shakespeare theatre company, Slip of the Tongue. Immersed in a vibrant community of thespians, artists, musicians, amateur gardeners, and street performers, he gained an unconventional yet profound early education in the arts—an experience that planted the seeds for his future in music.

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Music was woven into the fabric of Stenn's upbringing. His mother, Justine Francis, composed original scores for summer Shakespeare productions and played Violin and Viola in her ensemble Alla Zingaro (later Der Kranks). Stenn watched in awe as musicians filled their living room, delivering electrifying acoustic renditions of Gypsy Jazz standards, Balkan folk melodies, Calypso rhythms, and seamlessly transitioning into 1950s rock 'n' roll classics by artists like Gene Vincent and Link Wray.

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This eclectic environment became Stenn's classroom. He gravitated toward the guitar and piano from a young age, instinctively exploring chords and crafting early songs. The constant presence of talented musicians in his mother's home offered him invaluable lessons—both through observation and spontaneous instruction.

 

Inspired by his mother's approach to music as a universal language rather than segmented by genre, Stenn embarked on a long journey of hard work and experimentation to develop a sound uniquely his own. Today, his music reflects this rich, diverse foundation, blending influences into an authentic and compelling artistic voice.