Stephen Sanchez
Stephen Sanchez (born November 3, 2002) is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist renowned for his retro-style music that evokes the crooning sounds of the 1950s and 1960s.[1] Raised in El Dorado Hills, California, near Sacramento, he drew early inspiration from his grandfather's guitar playing and classic artists like Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Roy Orbison, and The Platters, shaping his velvety baritone and romantic lyricism.[2][3][4] Sanchez began his professional career before age 20, signing with Republic Records and releasing his debut EP, What Was, Not Now, in October 2021, which featured the breakout single "Until I Found You."[5][6] The track, a nostalgic love ballad, achieved multi-platinum status, amassed over 2.8 billion streams across versions (as of November 2025), and peaked in the Top 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 after its duet remix with Em Beihold went viral on TikTok.[5][7][8] It earned nominations for Top Rock Song at the Billboard Music Awards and Push Performance of the Year at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2023.[9][10] Relocating to Nashville, Tennessee, Sanchez followed with the 2022 EP Easy On My Eyes and his full-length debut album Angel Face in September 2023, the latter conceptualized as a fictional 1958 recording session to immerse listeners in mid-century pop aesthetics.[6][5] The album's release propelled him to sold-out headline tours, performances on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and nominations for New Artist of the Year at the iHeartRadio Music Awards and People's Choice Awards.[5] By 2024, he expanded Angel Face with the deluxe edition Angel Face (Club Deluxe), further solidifying his rise as a modern torchbearer for vintage romance in contemporary pop. In November 2025, Sanchez released the collaborative EP Dress & Tie with Devi Tuil under the duo name Dress & Tie.[11]Early life
Upbringing
Stephen Sanchez was born on November 3, 2002, in El Dorado Hills, California, a suburban area in Sacramento County located about 30 minutes northeast of Sacramento and an hour from Lake Tahoe.[12][2] He grew up in a tight-knit community characterized by suburban life, with his family providing a supportive environment despite not being particularly musical.[2] Sanchez hails from a Latino family, raised in a bilingual household where both Spanish and English were spoken fluently.[12] His parents, whom he refers to as Mr. and Mrs. Sanchez, worked in non-entertainment fields: his father as a kitchen designer and his mother as a paralegal.[13] He has three siblings—a sister who works on a farm, and two brothers, one selling medical equipment and the other serving in the military—none of whom pursued music professionally.[13] The family's limited musical background included influences from Sanchez's paternal grandfather, who played guitar and composed songs during family visits to Oregon, as well as collections of 1950s and 1960s vinyl records from his grandparents featuring artists like Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra.[14][13][2] These elements subtly shaped his early exposure to music amid an otherwise ordinary suburban upbringing, where his parents encouraged his interests without formal involvement in the arts.[15]Musical beginnings
Sanchez's musical journey began in his childhood in El Dorado Hills, California, where he was raised in a Christian household that immersed him in gospel music. Growing up attending church services, he was captivated by the live performances of gospel bands on Sundays, which demonstrated music's power to evoke deep emotions in audiences. This exposure inspired him to join the church's gospel team as a teenager, where he was taught to play the guitar around age 14, marking his initial foray into performing and songwriting. The structure and emotional impact of gospel songs profoundly influenced his approach, teaching him how lyrics could connect people through shared feelings of faith and vulnerability.[2][16][17][18] Family played a pivotal role in nurturing his passion for music. Sanchez's grandfather, an avid musician, introduced him to classic recordings by sifting through vinyl collections stored in a barn, including works by Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, and other 1950s and 1960s artists. Visits to his paternal grandparents' rural home in Oregon, where he observed his grandfather playing piano and guitar while singing, and to his other grandfather's farm in San Jose, California, where he sifted through vinyl collections in the barn, further fueled his creativity, evoking a nostalgic, timeless atmosphere. These experiences, combined with the simplicity and heartfelt themes of mid-20th-century music—such as those from Roy Orbison and Patsy Cline—shaped his early stylistic preferences, blending retro elements with personal expression. A defining moment came during his youth when he attended an acoustic tour by the band NEEDTOBREATHE for the second time, solidifying his commitment to pursue music as a career.[2][19][20][21] By his high school freshman year, around age 14 or 15, Sanchez began writing his own songs, drawing from personal experiences like first crushes and the emotional lessons from gospel and classic influences. Self-taught in many aspects despite church guidance, he experimented with blending these roots into original compositions, focusing on themes of love and heartbreak. This period laid the groundwork for his transition to a professional path; in late 2020, at age 18, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee, seeking a supportive music community amid family and financial changes, where he continued honing his craft through local performances and early recordings.[2][16][17]Career
Breakthrough (2021)
In 2021, Stephen Sanchez marked his breakthrough in the music industry by signing a recording contract with Republic Records, following the viral success of his earlier independent single "Lady by the Sea" in 2020. This deal paved the way for his major-label debut, beginning with the release of his single "Until I Found You" on September 1, 2021. Co-written and produced by Sanchez with collaborators including Ian Fitchuk and Warren Huart, the track was inspired by his relationship with girlfriend Georgia Webster, drawing on '50s and '60s doo-wop and crooner influences from his grandfather's vinyl collection.[22][23] The song quickly gained momentum through social media, particularly TikTok, where user-generated content propelled it to millions of streams and established Sanchez as an emerging artist with a nostalgic pop sound. "Until I Found You" became his first significant hit, laying the foundation for broader recognition despite its peak chart performance occurring the following year. Later that October, on the 15th, Sanchez released his debut EP What Was, Not Now via Republic Records, a six-track project featuring the single "Kayla" alongside introspective ballads like "Hold Her While You Can" and "Love Life." Produced by Fitchuk, the EP highlighted Sanchez's baritone vocals and retro aesthetic, receiving positive early buzz and solidifying his transition from independent uploads to professional releases.[23][24][25]Debut album and mainstream success (2022–2023)
In August 2022, Sanchez released his second EP, Easy on My Eyes, through Republic Records, featuring seven tracks that blended retro-inspired pop with heartfelt lyrics.[26] The project included the re-recorded duet version of his 2021 single "Until I Found You" with Em Beihold, which had initially gained traction but exploded in popularity that summer after going viral on TikTok.[27] The song's nostalgic doo-wop style and romantic narrative resonated widely, amassing millions of streams and social media clips, propelling Sanchez into the mainstream spotlight. "Until I Found You" achieved significant chart success, debuting on the Billboard Hot 100 and eventually peaking at No. 23 in late 2022. It further topped Billboard's Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart in March 2023, marking Sanchez's first No. 1 there, and became one of the year's standout tracks in the UK, finishing at No. 39 on the Official Charts year-end list.[28][29] The track's momentum was boosted by its feature in Netflix's XO, Kitty in 2023, leading to a No. 1 spot on Billboard's Top TV Songs chart for January.[30] Sanchez promoted the EP with live performances, including appearances on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and his first headlining tour dates, solidifying his rising profile.[7] Building on this breakthrough, Sanchez announced his debut studio album, Angel Face, in 2023, released on September 22 via Mercury Records/Republic Records.[31] The 13-track project, conceptualized as a concept album narrating a 1950s-style tale of star-crossed lovers in a fictional Las Vegas setting, showcased Sanchez's crooner vocals and big-band arrangements.[32] It debuted at No. 90 on the Billboard 200, reflecting sustained fan interest from his prior releases.[33] Critical reception praised its cinematic storytelling and vintage aesthetic, though some noted its polished production occasionally overshadowed raw emotion.[34] To support the album, Sanchez performed at high-profile events like the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards and joined Elton John onstage, further elevating his mainstream presence.[35]Recent releases and activities (2024–2025)
In 2024, Stephen Sanchez expanded his debut album with the release of Angel Face (Club Deluxe) on April 26 via Mercury Records and Republic Records.[36] This edition added five new tracks—"Shake," "Howling at Wolves," "High Road," "See the Light," and "Us"—continuing the album's romantic narrative arc while incorporating more upbeat, retro-infused elements.[37] The deluxe version reflected sustained fan interest in Sanchez's vintage-inspired sound. On May 16, 2024, Sanchez released the single "Baby Blue Bathing Suit," a Beach Boys-inspired track featuring harmonious vocals and surf-rock vibes, as part of the soundtrack for the Disney+ documentary The Beach Boys.[38] The song, co-written by Sanchez and produced with a nod to 1960s pop, premiered alongside an official music video shot in California, capturing a nostalgic summer aesthetic.[39] It marked his first original release outside the Angel Face universe, showcasing his versatility in evoking classic American songcraft.[40] To promote these projects, Sanchez launched "The Connie Co Show" tour in fall 2024, a headlining North American run emphasizing intimate, theatrical performances with full-band arrangements.[41] Notable stops included a sold-out concert at The Union Event Center in Salt Lake City on September 24, where he delivered an immersive set blending album tracks with personal anecdotes, and a high-energy show at The Met Philadelphia on October 19, drawing praise for its emotional depth and crowd engagement.[42][41] He also debuted at the Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival in Franklin, Tennessee, on October 4, performing hits like "Until I Found You" to a festival audience.[43] However, Sanchez canceled his scheduled set at the Austin City Limits Music Festival on October 11 due to severe vocal strain, with The Paper Kites filling in.[44] Entering 2025, Sanchez maintained momentum through select live appearances, including a performance at the Misty City Music Festival in Niagara Falls on September 5 alongside Kaleo.[45] On November 14, 2025, Sanchez released the three-track EP Dress & Tie in collaboration with singer-songwriter Devi Tuil (known mononymously as Devi), marking a new collaborative project.[46]Musical style
Characteristics
Stephen Sanchez's music is characterized by a retro aesthetic deeply rooted in the sounds of the 1950s and 1960s, blending classic rock 'n' roll, doo-wop, and crooner styles with modern production elements to create a nostalgic yet accessible vibe.[20][47] His tracks often feature vintage instrumentation, including bright guitars, sweeping harmonies, ambient reverb, and waltzing rhythms that evoke the glamour of mid-20th-century nightclubs and jukeboxes.[47] This old-school aura is evident in songs like "Until I Found You," a lovelorn doo-wop ballad that captures the fragility and intensity of romantic ballads reminiscent of Elvis Presley.[48][47] Vocally, Sanchez employs a soulful and emotive delivery, marked by warbling tones, vocal acrobatics, and a warm, comforting quality that balances melancholy with hopefulness.[20][5] His baritone range draws comparisons to icons like Roy Orbison, Frank Sinatra, and Otis Redding, allowing him to infuse tracks with triumphant phrasing and heartfelt sincerity.[49][14] Storytelling forms a core characteristic, with conceptual narratives exploring themes of love, heartbreak, and personal growth, as seen in his debut album Angel Face, which follows the arc of a fictional troubadour character through simplicity and direct lyricism.[20][14][49] Sanchez's approach emphasizes authenticity and timeless universality, avoiding overt complexity in favor of elegant, relatable compositions that serve as emotional "hugs" for listeners.[20][50] Elements of folk pop, soft rock, and occasional country or jazz influences add layers, while lo-fi production and gramophone-like effects enhance the cinematic, noir-tinged melodrama of his work.[47][5] This fusion revitalizes mid-century genres for contemporary audiences, prioritizing conceptual depth over provocation.[14][50]Influences
Sanchez's musical influences are deeply rooted in the pop and rock traditions of the 1950s and 1960s, eras he credits with shaping his emotive, storytelling-driven style that emphasizes romance, human struggle, and simplicity.[4][14] He discovered much of this music through his grandfather's extensive vinyl collection in San Jose, California, which included classic recordings that sparked his early fascination with the genre's heartfelt narratives and vocal expressiveness.[4] Key figures among his inspirations include Roy Orbison, whose high-pitched vocals and falsetto techniques have notably influenced Sanchez's singing approach.[4] Elvis Presley also played a pivotal role, with Sanchez admiring not only his vocal delivery but also his dynamic stage presence and movement.[4] The Platters further shaped his affinity for romantic ballads, as their tender love songs resonated with him during his formative listening experiences.[4] Additional influences from his grandfather's collection encompass artists like Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and the Ink Spots, whose smooth harmonies and crooning styles contributed to Sanchez's appreciation for mid-century vocal groups and standards.[4] He has also drawn from gospel music encountered through church attendance, adding a layer of soulful depth to his sound.[4] More recently, the narrative balladry of Marty Robbins, particularly the storytelling in tracks like "El Paso" from Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs, informed the conceptual framework of his album Angel Face.[14]Personal life
Family and background
Stephen Sanchez was born on November 3, 2002, in El Dorado Hills, California, a suburb approximately 30 miles northeast of Sacramento.[12][2] He was raised in a bilingual household, speaking both English and Spanish, reflecting his Latino heritage.[12][15] Sanchez comes from a non-musical family. His father works as a kitchen designer, while his mother is employed as a paralegal.[13] He has three siblings: a sister who works on a farm, and two brothers—one who sells medical equipment and another serving in the military.[13] Despite the lack of musical background in his immediate family, Sanchez drew early inspiration from his grandparents. One grandfather in Oregon played guitar and sang, and another in San Jose maintained a collection of thousands of 1950s and 1960s vinyl records, exposing him to classic artists like Elvis Presley and Roy Orbison.[2] His mother supported his budding interest in music by purchasing his first guitar, a Gibson J-45, when he began learning at age 14.[2] Sanchez grew up in a suburban environment near Lake Tahoe, attending church where he was influenced by gospel music, and listening to local radio stations that played older tunes.[2] These elements, combined with family trips to rural Oregon, shaped his nostalgic affinity for mid-20th-century sounds during his formative years.[19]Relationships
Sanchez's song "Until I Found You" was inspired by his relationship with then-girlfriend Georgia Webster, though the two later broke up.Residences
Stephen Sanchez was born and raised in El Dorado Hills, California, a suburb located just outside Sacramento, where he spent his formative years immersed in a family environment that fostered his early interest in music.[51] His childhood home in this Northern California community provided the backdrop for initial musical explorations, including influences from his grandparents' record collection in nearby San Jose, where he often visited and discovered classic artists like Roy Orbison and Frank Sinatra.[52] In 2020, at the age of 17, Sanchez relocated from California to Nashville, Tennessee, initially prompted by his parents' move to the city and his own aspirations to break into the music industry.[20] He drove cross-country for the journey, settling in Music City, where he lived for approximately three years and experienced significant career growth, including signing with Republic Records and recording his debut EP.[53] During this period, Nashville became a pivotal hub for his development as a singer-songwriter, surrounded by the vibrant country and Americana scenes that aligned with his retro-inspired sound.[21] By late 2023, Sanchez had moved again, this time to New York City, undertaking another cross-country drive from Nashville to establish his new base in the bustling metropolis.[21] He has since described the relocation as a natural progression for broadening his artistic horizons beyond the Southern music ecosystem, and as of 2024, he remains based in New York City.[54] This shift reflects his evolving career demands, including collaborations and performances in diverse urban settings.Discography
Studio albums
Stephen Sanchez released his debut studio album, Angel Face, on September 22, 2023, through Mercury Records and Republic Records. The 13-track project draws heavily from 1950s and 1960s doo-wop, rock 'n' roll, and soul influences, weaving a conceptual narrative about a tumultuous romance that spans timelines from 1958 to the present day. Key singles preceding the album included "Evangeline" and "Only Girl," both of which highlight Sanchez's baritone vocals and nostalgic songwriting style.[55][56][57] The album's tracklist is as follows:| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Something About Her | Sanchez, Lee, Pollack | 2:31 |
| 2 | Evangeline | Sanchez, Lee | 3:00 |
| 3 | I Need You Most of All | Sanchez, Lee | 3:16 |
| 4 | Only Girl | Sanchez, Lee | 3:20 |
| 5 | Be More | Sanchez, Lee | 3:12 |
| 6 | Until I Found You | Sanchez, Biagi, True | 2:57 |
| 7 | Shake | Sanchez, Lee | 2:58 |
| 8 | Mama | Sanchez, Lee | 3:28 |
| 9 | The Fortress | Sanchez, Lee | 3:24 |
| 10 | High School Heartbreak | Sanchez, Lee | 3:18 |
| 11 | See the Light | Sanchez, Lee | 3:04 |
| 12 | My My My | Sanchez, Lee | 3:00 |
| 13 | Kayla | Sanchez, Lee | 3:40 |
Extended plays
Sanchez's debut extended play, What Was, Not Now, was released on October 15, 2021, through Republic Records.[61] The five-track project, produced by Ian Fitchuk, introduced his retro-inspired sound with songs like "Kayla" and "Until I Found You," the latter of which became his breakthrough single after gaining viral traction on social media.[24] It was initially self-released before Republic's involvement and received positive attention for its nostalgic doo-wop and soul influences.[62] His sophomore EP, Easy On My Eyes, arrived on August 19, 2022, via Mercury Records and Republic Records.[63] Comprising seven tracks, it built on his rising popularity by including the orchestral version of "Until I Found You" featuring Em Beihold, alongside originals such as "See The Light," "Mountain Peaks," and the title track, which explore romantic longing and vulnerability.[64] The EP debuted at number 11 on the Billboard Emerging Artists chart and was later issued on limited-edition red vinyl for Record Store Day 2023.[65] In April 2024, Sanchez released the exclusive live EP Stephen Sanchez: Breakthrough (Amazon Music Live) on Amazon Music, capturing four performances from his November 2023 Amazon Music Live appearance, including covers of "Unchained Melody" and "No One Knows" as well as originals like "Be More."[66] This four-track set highlighted his stage presence and interpretive style in a concert format.[67] In November 2025, Sanchez released the collaborative EP Dress & Tie with Devi Tuil on November 14, 2025, through Republic Records. The self-titled three-track project features "Me Without You," "What Did I Do?," and "Always Been You," blending their vocals in retro-inspired love songs about partnership and emotion.[68]Singles as lead artist
Stephen Sanchez's singles as lead artist primarily feature his signature retro-inspired pop soul sound, often drawing from 1950s and 1960s influences with themes of romance and nostalgia. His breakthrough came with "Until I Found You," which gained massive traction after going viral on TikTok and receiving placements in media like the Netflix series Ginny & Georgia. Subsequent releases built on this momentum, promoting his debut album Angel Face and exploring standalone projects, including holiday and soundtrack contributions. These tracks have collectively amassed hundreds of millions of streams, establishing Sanchez as a rising figure in contemporary pop with a vintage aesthetic.[28]| Title | Release date | Album | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Until I Found You" | September 1, 2021 | What Was, Not Now (EP) | US: 23 UK: 14 AUS: 8[69] |
| "Evangeline" | January 25, 2023 | Angel Face | —[70] |
| "Only Girl" | April 28, 2023 | Angel Face | — |
| "Be More" | August 3, 2023 | Angel Face | —[71] |
| "Baby Blue Bathing Suit" | May 16, 2024 | Non-album single (from The Beach Boys soundtrack) | —[38] |
| "Silver Bells" | November 29, 2024 | Non-album single | — |
Other appearances
Sanchez has made several guest appearances on other artists' recordings and concept albums. In 2022, he provided featured vocals on "2000 Miles" by Gatlin, a single reflecting on long-distance relationships and heartbreak.[73] That same year, he collaborated with Ashe on the duet "Missing You," a melancholic ballad exploring themes of longing and loss, released as a joint single.[74] In 2024, Sanchez contributed vocals to the concept album Warriors by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Eisa Davis, inspired by the 1979 film of the same name. Portraying the character Cal, a member of the gang The Bizzies, he performed on multiple tracks, including the ensemble number "We Got You," which emphasizes unity and survival, and its reprise. The album blends hip-hop, R&B, and musical theater elements to narrate a modern retelling of gang rivalries in New York City.[75][76]| Year | Song | Main Artist/Album | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2000 Miles | Gatlin (single) | Featured vocals |
| 2022 | Missing You | Ashe (single) | Co-lead vocals |
| 2024 | We Got You / We Got You (Reprise) | Lin-Manuel Miranda & Eisa Davis – Warriors | Lead and ensemble vocals (as Cal) |
Awards and nominations
Awards
Stephen Sanchez has earned recognition primarily through sales certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), reflecting the commercial success of his breakthrough releases. His debut single "Until I Found You," originally released in 2021 and later reissued as a duet with Em Beihold, reached 4× Platinum certification in May 2024, denoting 4 million equivalent units in the U.S. based on sales and streaming. This milestone followed earlier certifications, including Gold in 2022, Platinum in 2022, 2× Platinum in 2023, and 3× Platinum in August 2023.[77][78][79] His debut studio album Angel Face (2023) achieved Gold certification from the RIAA on April 30, 2024, signifying 500,000 equivalent units consumed in the U.S.[80] Beyond RIAA accolades, Sanchez received a Bronze Clio Award in the Music category for Angel Face: The Live Visual Album (2023), a collaborative project with Lenovo and Intel, honoring excellence in music-related advertising and visual production; the award was presented in the 2025 Clio Awards cycle.[81]| Title | Certification | Date Certified | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Until I Found You" | Gold | 2022 | RIAA |
| "Until I Found You" | Platinum | 2022 | RIAA via Jaxsta |
| "Until I Found You" | 2× Platinum | 2023 | RIAA via Jaxsta |
| "Until I Found You" | 3× Platinum | August 29, 2023 | uDiscover Music |
| "Until I Found You" | 4× Platinum | May 1, 2024 | Republic Records |
| Angel Face (album) | Gold | April 30, 2024 | Forbes |