Hello everyone, it’s your host Oliver from DULAXI, and today I’m delighted to be joined by Steve Petrinko and Dolapo Oladejo, the American/Nigerian singer-songwriter duo known collectively as Steve and Dolapo. Based in different parts of the world, the two musicians have built a remarkable creative partnership around indie pop, soul, R&B, hip-hop, rock, choral music, and world music influences. On October 23, 2026, they released their second full-length vinyl album, Solid Ground, continuing the musical adventure that began with their 2024 debut, Companion. Their work explores friendship, love, empathy, inclusion, and the importance of finding hope through life’s uncertainties. Before we begin our conversation with Steve and Dolapo, here’s what you need to know about today’s featured project.
About Steve and Dolapo
Steve Petrinko and Dolapo Oladejo first discovered each other’s music in December 2021 through Reinventing the Wheel, an independent music review group known as The Music Barn. What began as an appreciation of each other’s songwriting gradually developed into something much deeper. After Steve heard Dolapo’s song “Heaven Please” in April 2022, he reached out to him, and their conversations soon led to their first collaborative songwriting session. Dolapo had already been impressed by the vocal harmonies on Steve’s single “Singularity”, and the two musicians quickly discovered that their artistic interests, personal philosophies, and approaches to music shared remarkable similarities. Their first video conversation became the beginning of a close friendship and an ongoing creative partnership that continues to shape their lives and work.
In 2024, the duo released their debut album, Companion, and established Steve and Dolapo Productions as a foundation for their continued collaborative work. Their musical identity draws on more than 60 years of combined choral experience, alongside an appreciation for a wide range of musical traditions. Their influences include Fela Kuti, Orlando Julius, The Beatles, Angelique Kidjo, Motown, Earth, Wind and Fire, Queen, the Bee Gees, Lionel Richie, and many others. Steve’s abilities as a multi-instrumentalist, spanning more than 40 instruments, complement Dolapo’s songwriting and vocal contributions. Together, they create arrangements that draw from different genres without attempting to reproduce any single influence. Their creative philosophy is centred on producing audio and visual beauty that emphasises friendship, positivity, love, empathy, and inclusion.
Their second full-length album, Solid Ground, released on October 23, 2026, builds on the musical foundation established by Companion while exploring a broader range of personal experiences and human relationships. Across its 13 tracks, the album considers friendship, self-awareness, diversity, romance, motivation, freedom, resilience, and the value of slowing down when life becomes overwhelming. “Fresh Squeeze” celebrates the happiness of finding people who bring renewed energy and inspiration into everyday life, while “Make A Sound” encourages listeners to embrace their identities and express themselves with confidence and consideration for others. “Every Colour” explores the connections that exist across human differences, and “Early Morning Glow” grew from Dolapo’s Haiku poetry into a song about the promise and optimism of each new day. The title track, meanwhile, offers reassurance to those facing difficult circumstances, encouraging them to remain hopeful through life’s storms.
The album’s production reflects the distance between the two musicians’ homes without allowing geography to limit their collaboration. Steve recorded the instruments and his vocals in his home studio in suburban Ann Arbor, Michigan, while Dolapo recorded his vocals in his home studio in Ibadan, Nigeria. Steve handled the engineering, production, mixing, and mastering, bringing their individual recordings together into a unified project. Their work is also shaped by the close personal bond they have maintained since meeting, with daily conversations, mutual encouragement, and a shared commitment to their creative ambitions forming an important part of their process.
Having this brief introduction to today’s featured project, I’m sure both new listeners and longtime fans are excited to hear directly from Steve and Dolapo about the friendship, creative decisions, and musical ideas behind Solid Ground. So, without further ado, let’s begin today’s interview.
INTERVIEW SESSION
Oliver:
Steve and Dolapo, your story began in December 2021 when you discovered each other’s music through Reinventing the Wheel – The Music Barn. What started as an appreciation of each other’s songwriting eventually developed into a close friendship and creative partnership. Looking back, what was it about each other’s music or personalities that first made you feel there was something special worth building together?
Steve and Dolapo:
Thank you for having us, Oliver and for this important question. I would say that the process flowed most naturally for me. To put it figuratively, It was 50% instinctive and 50% out of mutual respect and genuine admiration for each other’s artistry and personality by extension. Before I met Steve, my musical interactions with other people had been somewhat regimented and often felt transactional but I wanted more. I wanted a safe space with more creative freedom and particularly with a friend who understands my person and art and who I understood; in the same vein. I would say that Steve is an open book and listening to his catalog gave me the opportunity to read and understand him. I was shocked at the similarities I found in our outlook on music, life and even our respective philosophies. The aforesaid added up to form the foundation for what we now have, share and continually build on.
Oliver:
You have described yourselves as best friends, spiritual brothers, and even twins, despite coming from different countries and backgrounds. Steve, you’ve spoken about the importance of your daily conversations and the emotional support you share, while Dolapo has described the partnership as Divine Providence. How has this friendship changed your individual lives beyond music, and what does having someone who understands and supports you so deeply mean to each of you?
Steve and Dolapo:
I did not have the slightest inkling that it was remotely possible to share such a significant connection and bond with a fellow Singer Songwriter from half the world away, without prior contact. I mean, I have always heard that music is a universal language but the actual depth of what this popular saying means didn’t really click until I experienced it firsthand. I think our respective musicality paved the way for the connection that we now have. Let me share this quick instance with you right here. A couple of years back, I was trying to write a tribute song in honour of my late Dad and couldn’t get myself to get it done. It was the most emotionally overwhelming task I have had to artistically undertake. Steve noticed the yearning I had and took it upon himself to compose, arrange, mix and master a heartfelt tribute song in honour of my late Dad. We both sang it together. The song; “Superstar” made it to our debut album “Companion”. That singular act was more than therapeutic for me. It helped me find closure to my Dad’s passing. Only a best friend could take the pain to go that far. I have been trying to reciprocate that act of kindness, even when Steve told me that I didn’t have to. I guess he doesn’t know how much what he did meant to me. Steve: I totally know what it means to you, I love you, and it is my most cherished gift to you. You mean everything to me Dolapo. You make each and every day more beautiful than the last. You help me with every part of my life and I thank God for you and am forever grateful for you. You’re my best friend, my creative partner, my spiritual and twin brother. I will always be with you.
Oliver:
Your creative relationship developed remarkably quickly. After Steve reached out following his experience of hearing Dolapo’s song “Heaven Please”, you both began writing together, and your first video call eventually became the beginning of daily communication and continuous music-making. What do you remember most vividly about those early conversations, and how did you move from being two independent musicians to developing a shared creative identity?
Steve and Dolapo:
My oh my, what can I say? This is quite an interesting question, Oliver. Thank you for asking. I think this is where I would say that the power of music goes much deeper than we currently give it credits for. Listening to each other’s music, prior to our first video conversation was a major ice breaker for me. I could practically feel the sincerity, honesty and relatability in Steve’s artistry and that in itself created the anticipation, coupled with the fact that we had exchanged texts and voice notes before our first video call. And when the phone rang, it felt most natural. For me, it felt like I was face timing with one of my siblings. To put this into perspective, I still very much feel like Steve and I must have been siblings in a parallel universe and somehow, we found ourselves again in this current dimension. Our first video conversation was largely a continuation of the texts and voice notes we had previously exchanged. We started with each other’s music and how they genuinely made us feel. It was a very relatable moment as the drills were very similar. We talked about our individual processes and the singing techniques and vocal arrangements. I was particularly drawn to the relationship between Steve’s Melodies and Harmonies; both standing side by side in a recording, without one overpowering the other, whilst making a unified vocal output. Steve could practically play up to 40 musical instruments and still sing more than 3 distinct octaves with both power and dynamics. He also had a knack for harmonies. I must confess, at a point, I said to myself; “Who does that??” Haha! But to be sure I heard him correctly, I proposed we do a song together, and after the video call ended, I composed a song titled; “Finding Yourself” shortly after and handed it over to Steve. It eventually made it to our debut album. Steve knocked it out of the park! I was more than thrilled with the final outcome. It was beyond my expectations. That was when I knew we had “found ourselves”. We haven’t stopped since then.
Oliver:
Steve and Dolapo bring together indie pop, soul, R&B, hip-hop, rock, choral music, and world music, with influences ranging from Fela Kuti and Orlando Julius to The Beatles, Earth, Wind and Fire, Queen, and Angelique Kidjo. With such a wide range of musical backgrounds, how do you decide which elements belong in a Steve and Dolapo production, and what helps you maintain a recognisable identity while exploring so many different styles?
Steve and Dolapo:
I’d approach this question by saying that we were able to artistically combine and fuse our individual influences into the Steve and Dolapo sound quite seamlessly because, prior to the establishment of our band, we had individually worked on our respective sonic identities from both our years of chorale music experience and respective mainstream music influences, to a point where all we needed to do, each time, was to decide to create a musical project and build our ensemble from ground up. Many times, we approach songwriting from a poetic standpoint and further create melodic structures from that writing, and further go into arranging what we have into a full fledged music. We do not at any point have to replicate the style of any of our musical influences verbatim, instead, we take cues from their artistic appeal, confidence and the charisma with which they expressed their artistry. The afore-explained approach ensures that no two of our own songs would sound alike, let alone any of our tunes sounding like any of the influences we’ve had.
Oliver:
Your creative vision centres on producing audio and visual beauty that emphasises friendship, positivity, love, empathy, and inclusion. These ideas appear to be more than themes you occasionally explore; they seem to form the foundation of your entire partnership. How did you arrive at this philosophy, and how do you make sure it continues to influence your songwriting, arrangements, performances, and music videos?
Steve and Dolapo:
Personally, I find it quite interesting how we arrived at our creative vision. I would say these outlooks already existed in our individual artistry before we combined forces. We individually wrote songs that touched on topics relating to friendship, positivity, love, empathy, and inclusion even before we met. We were only able to put words to our thoughts and highlighted our common values in the course of our interactions and working together. Interestingly, our personal philosophies align and that alignment formed the bedrock for our artistry. It’s a 360 degrees cycle of interconnections that keep rolling nonstop. We found out that we don’t have to try so hard to stick to our creative vision because it is who we are and what we stand for and represent. Every other thing that we do stems from our collective vision.
Oliver:
Your debut album, Companion, introduced listeners to the musical relationship you had developed since meeting in 2021. With Solid Ground, you’re returning with a second full-length vinyl record, having expanded and refined the sound you first established together. What has changed most significantly between these two albums, and what did you both want Solid Ground to communicate about your development as musicians and as friends?
Steve and Dolapo:
We both believe that we are on an adventure into sound. The “Solid Ground” album is a deeper dive into the philosophy we initially started with during our debut album; “Companion”. We have been able to keep refining our sound and keep evolving with time as we go, whilst staying true to who we are as a collective. As a standalone track, “Solid Ground” explores the resilience needed to keep navigating the twists and turns of modern day living and the reassurance of standing firm on a solid ground at the end of a metaphorical storm. To put that into clearer perspective, and connect the dots between our “Companion” album and our “Solid Ground “ album, the message would be that; “If we stand together, we would navigate life better”
Oliver:
The album explores several aspects of the human experience, from friendship and self-discovery to love, resilience, freedom, and personal growth. Tracks such as “Make A Sound”, “Every Colour”, and “Obstacles” approach these ideas from different perspectives. How did you select the themes for this album, and was there a particular message you both wanted listeners to carry with them after hearing the complete project?
Steve and Dolapo:
I’d say that we were both intentional about the chosen themes of each song on the “Solid Ground” album. As part of our creative process, we do apply varying degrees of approach to creating our sound. Sometimes, we write to music meant for an already released or upcoming movie for instance. This particular approach ensures that we do not write in isolation of possible realities and it also ensures the relatability of the topic we write and sing about, all in a bid to regulate the abstract nature of the final outcome of the sound we create. Let’s call it an internal process that allows us to connect with other creative minds whilst creating our own sound from a unique standpoint. “Make A Sound” was about being confident in your own skin and owning your own narrative. “Every Colour” was about recognizing the inherent beauty in our diversity, self awareness, inclusion and accepting the diverse nature of human existence for what it is. “Obstacles” is about resilience and finding the inner strength and will power to forge against all odds. We want every listener to be able to know that they are not alone in their grind and hopefully find a bit of therapy too through this outlet.
Oliver:
The title track, “Solid Ground”, is described as a song of hope for people experiencing difficult circumstances, offering reassurance that brighter days can follow periods of uncertainty. What inspired this particular song, and why did you feel its message was important enough to give the entire album its title?
Steve and Dolapo:
“Solid Ground” as a standalone track aligns fully with one of our band’s watchwords; empathy precisely. It’s our attempt to provide some form of pushback against the feelings of despair and despondency amongst people in whatever situation someone might have found him or herself. Watching the news alone highlights different cases of people from all around the world who need messages of hope among other things. While it remains easier to look the other way, we decided to write a song about it, hoping that someone in the midst of the feelings of despair might listen to it and entertain a bit of hope and positivism. We chose “Solid Ground” as our sophomore album title because we want our audiences to feel something that makes them more cheerful and hopeful, amidst the twists and turns of current times around the world.
Oliver:
“Fresh Squeeze”, which also serves as your newly released lead single and accompanying music video, celebrates the happiness that comes from finding your people – those friendships or connections that bring renewed energy, inspiration, and joy into everyday life. Given how central friendship is to your own relationship, how much of your personal experience together found its way into this song, and what made it the right introduction to Solid Ground?
Steve and Dolapo:
One of the pillars that our band stands on is friendship and that exactly is what the track “Fresh Squeeze” represents. We tried to capture the joys and excitement of being with that person or collective that spices up your mood and takes you to the plane where you want to be. It’s about finding your “tribe”. It’s also about the novelty that readily cheers you up and motivates you to be your best. Figuratively, this album in itself is a fresh squeeze, i.e. a novelty that we have infused into our catalog in a bid to further explore sound, even as our musical adventure progresses. On a personal note, it’s always a delight to have each other embark on a project together and the process in itself is always a jolly ride, so I’d say that every interaction and project is a “Fresh Squeeze” for us. That good feeling is what we have decided to open the “Solid Ground” album with.
Oliver:
“Every Colour” takes an inclusive approach to human differences, using the idea of colour as a way of celebrating the connections we share despite our individual backgrounds. Considering that your own partnership brings together American and Nigerian experiences, how have your different cultural perspectives influenced the meaning of this song, and what would you like people from different communities to understand through its message?
Steve and Dolapo:
The song “Every Colour” represents another pillar on which our collective is built on; inclusion precisely. We are fully aware of our individual selves and through our friendship and partnership, we have been able to fuse the totality of our individualities into a single creative melting pot. Becoming Steve and Dolapo was a seamless process for us because we possessed similar philosophies and outlooks to life, even before we met. I’d say that in our case, it was evident that diversity can be a unifying factor when channeled appropriately. We believe that music as a universal language was designed to bring people together and not tear us apart. If it could bring Steve and Dolapo together and strengthen our connection and bond, even without prior contact, then it can do the same and more for more and more people around the world, regardless of their races and other distinguishing factors that seemingly differentiate us, outwardly.
Oliver:
There is an interesting contrast between “Make A Sound”, which encourages people to express themselves confidently without disregarding others, and “Free”, which explores the deeper meaning of freedom through personal thought and interpretation. How do these two songs approach individuality from different angles, and what have your own experiences taught you about finding the balance between being true to yourself and respecting the people around you?
Steve and Dolapo:
Now, that’s quite an intriguing one. The “Solid Ground” project recognizes the many dualities of human nature and the ideologies that serve as guardrails meant to keep us afloat. At the core of this concept is the need to keep an open mind and imbibe the flexibility that allows us to readily adapt and stay true to who we are, while coexisting with others who equally have their respective identities, beliefs and personalities. In a way, this outlook engenders inclusion in ways that foster deeper understanding of the need for peaceful coexistence and collective progress of the human race. We believe that if we could see through each other’s eyes, then all the things that try to pitch us against each other wouldn’t mean a thing anymore. An extension of this thought process is that; Understanding yourself is a first step to understanding others and when this level of understanding is attained, an equilibrium is found. Mutual respect and consideration follow and we could resultantly build a harmonious society at the end of the day. “Make A Sound” is about self awareness, self respect and self acceptance and “Free” is about acknowledging that it all begins in the mind and that the next person wants the same “freedom” that you have and constantly crave. The balance between both poles can be found by meeting halfway.
Oliver:
“Early Morning Glow” began as a collection of Haiku poetry before being restructured and developed into a song. Its message centres on the optimism and possibilities that come with each new day. What inspired you to turn those short poetic expressions into a complete musical composition, and how did you preserve the original feeling of the writing while developing its melody and arrangement?
Steve and Dolapo:
This one has an interesting story to it. Personally, I consider myself as a “morning person”. My best part of each day is at sunrise because I believe it’s another opportunity to rewrite history. Coincidentally, Steve is a “morning person” too. In actual fact, we do share sunrise pictures from time to time, as it occurs in our respective domains. So the string of Haikus was my love letter to the break of dawn. Haiku poetry is what I do from time to time because I have a natural flair for writing. When I shared this particular Haiku with Steve, he loved it and instantly saw a song in it. The inspiration came from Steve’s vision of “Early Morning Glow” as a song. His vision for it opened my eyes to what the poem could become, so we got to work. I followed the emotions embedded in the Haiku to craft a melodic structure and forwarded it over to Steve. He arranged it and we both sang it. It’s a piece that is dear to both our hearts like the other ones we have orchestrated.
Oliver:
One of the most distinctive aspects of your partnership is the difference in your recording locations. Steve handles the instrumental recordings and his vocals from his home studio in suburban Ann Arbor, Michigan, while Dolapo records his vocals from his home studio in Ibadan, Nigeria. How do you coordinate your creative decisions across two countries, and what does the process look like when you’re bringing separate recordings together into one cohesive production?
Steve and Dolapo:
We are both Singers and Songwriters with extensive choral music background and experience. Steve has a knack for musical instruments and music production. These competences have enabled us to execute a one stop production at any given time. Our workflow is as smooth as a seal and it always starts with a clear cut idea on what we intended to do. Depending on what inspires a given song, we do possess varying approaches to our workflow. Sometimes it begins with an instrumental and other times it starts with just a metronome at a set beats per minute [BPM] and music key for the voice to sing on. Once we agree to commence a given project, the next step would be to ratify the workflow and follow it step by step without fail, until we attain our definition of done. Suffice to say; Dropbox is our friend. Haha! Geography stops being a hindrance once there is an understanding and the will to execute.
Oliver:
Steve, your musical abilities span more than 40 instruments, including several guitars, saxophones, keyboards, percussion instruments, cello, marimba, vibraphone, and numerous traditional world instruments. With your additional responsibilities in arranging, engineering, production, mixing, and mastering, how do you decide which instruments a particular song needs, and how do you prevent such a wide range of musical possibilities from taking attention away from its central message?
Steve and Dolapo:
If the song is initiated by me, I write drums up. The drums beget the bass, which begets the choral instrument, and horns until I feel it’s complete. At which point I write the words and melody or, I give it to Dolapo to do so. The recipe is unlocked from how the bass and drums make me feel. If the song is initiated by Dolapo, he literally sends me the completed song as an a cappella vocal. The magic of Steve and Dolapo is that I hear the entire arrangement in my head the moment he sends it. I know if it’s going to be pop, jazz, rock, afrobeat, classical or any other genre on first listen and that defines what instruments go in. I do love when he sends me something afrobeat because I can go into what I call a percussion ensemble trance where I layer each percussion instrument in a euphoric rush until I feel it’s a finished painting. Everything is meant to support the vocal and I arrange on purpose for that so the instruments I play do not usurp the message. I would never want to do that. The message is everything.
Oliver:
Both of you bring more than 60 years of combined choir experience to the partnership, and your vocal arrangements often draw on that background. You’ve even recorded an eight-voice arrangement of Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus, performing all the parts yourselves. How has your experience with choral music influenced the way you approach harmonies, vocal layering, and composition on Solid Ground, and what does working with multiple vocal parts allow you to express that a conventional arrangement might not?
Steve and Dolapo:
So I have the distinct honor to work with who is to me the greatest vocalist I have ever heard, my best friend and creative partner Dolapo. I say that without hesitation and I mean every word. I have never encountered a more beautiful person on every level with a more beautiful voice where every note sung goes straight to my heart. I require of myself to make sure that voice speaks to hearts, minds, and souls of everyone who hears it the same way that I hear it. When I think about the songs I love the most, the common denominator is always the harmony, Philip and Maurice in Earth, Wind, and Fire, the Brothers Gibb, the Supremes, the Temptations, the Four Tops, the ever lovely Chambers Brothers, the four Beatles together, Mick and Keith, the Kink’s Davies brothers, and countless other acts, it is ALWAYS the harmony that makes it. Between Dolapo and my church choir backgrounds, and the extensive listening and recording deep dives I’ve performed on the BeeGees, the Beach Boys, and the Beatles it is now instinctual for me to write four part harmony. I simply find the next pitch of the first chord to start and sing/record it out. It is a blessing and miracle that is effortless for me and I am infinitely thankful to God for it.
Oliver:
Dolapo, you have described your recording routine through the distinction between a “Clear Voice Day” and a “Not So Clear Voice Day”, using your morning vocal warm-ups to understand what your voice can comfortably achieve. Your experience recording the demanding high note in “Every Colour” is a particularly interesting example of preparation meeting opportunity. What has that experience taught you about vocal discipline, patience, and knowing when to challenge yourself as a singer?
Steve and Dolapo:
Thank you for asking, Oliver. The human voice is often viewed as an instrument in itself and I think I tend to align with that notion too. From a personal perspective, I approach vocal music from a place of care and nurture. I strongly believe that whilst the singing voice is often equated to an instrument, it is equally a gift. A special gift to be nurtured and cared for every step of the way. And just like every other muscle in the human body, the vocal muscles equally need to be trained in a way that is healthy and sustainable. Vocal warmup is an essential routine that all Singers need to regularly execute in a bid to stay vocally “fresh” and “fit”. For me, I try to be at speed with my “vocal status” each day and do everything possible to keep it optimized for performances. Over time, I have learnt that the singing voice comes with slightly varying “bandwidth” i.e. the low, mid and high ends and transition points, each day and it is important to understand the workings of your voice personally and know what works and what doesn’t work; when it comes to executing passages. I also learned that, due to varying factors, ranging from atmospheric conditions to dietary/ hydration levels and everything in between, Singers must intuitively learn to make all these elements work in their favour without becoming “Divas” about it. My personal experience during the recording of the “Every Colour” track taught me to continually explore the full understanding of vocal placements and the correct techniques required to execute it whenever it’s needed. It’s okay if you don’t get it the first time, recalibrate, focus, give it some time and try again. If it hurts, then Stop. Singing shouldn’t hurt, it should flow, with or without diaphragmatic support. But I recommend the former.
Oliver:
Your previous releases have received responses from listeners who describe your music as uplifting, theatrical, emotionally encouraging, and deeply connected to the idea of friendship. Some have even shared how your songs helped them approach difficult days with a more positive outlook. When you receive feedback like that, how does it influence your understanding of the relationship between your music and its audience, and does it create an additional sense of responsibility when deciding what to write next?
Steve and Dolapo:
Yes, everybody needs feedback to help them fine tune their craft. We readily welcome feedback, especially when they are constructive. They readily fuel the process in the best ways possible and certainly help us with actionable insights into what to create next. We love the idea of using music for good. Haha… Music from other Artists have spoken to us in so many ways and in countless times, We want to be able to pass on the baton. We particularly adore the fact that such feedback helps us to further sculpt our sound into the vision we have for it. Knowing fully well that this is indeed a marathon and not just a one time sprint.
Oliver:
You’ve established Steve and Dolapo Productions, released Companion, developed a second full-length album with Solid Ground, and continue to create new music together every day. Steve has expressed the desire to still be making music with Dolapo decades from now, while Dolapo describes your partnership as something beyond coincidence. Looking towards the future, what would you both like to accomplish together, both musically and personally, and how do you hope the story of Steve and Dolapo will be remembered years from now?
Steve and Dolapo:
Our hope is that our music would do to others what it has done to Steve and Dolapo. It brought us together from different backgrounds, races, cultures and traditions and brought down the high walls between us. We want our music to bring comfort and sheer joy to people from all walks of life and make our audiences come to terms with the unifying power in music. Personally, I want us to become a household name for positivism through music. Many years from now, we want to be remembered for the legacy that unified cultures through music; on the wheels of friendship, love, positivism, inclusion, empathy and brotherhood.
“Steve and Dolapo’s story reminds us that music can become more than a shared creative pursuit. It can be the foundation of a friendship that crosses borders, offers comfort through difficult moments, and turns the simple act of making something together into a lasting expression of love, hope, and human connection.”
~ Oliver (DULAXI Team)
EDITORIAL PERSPECTIVE
What makes Solid Ground particularly interesting is the relationship between its wide musical scope and its consistent creative purpose. Steve and Dolapo move between different styles while keeping the human experience at the centre of their work. Their extensive choral background informs their vocal arrangements, while Steve’s instrumental versatility gives their compositions room to explore different textures and rhythms. The album’s songs approach friendship, inclusion, romance, and resilience from distinct perspectives, allowing the project to develop beyond a single theme. Our conversation also revealed how deeply the duo’s personal connection informs their creative decisions, making their collaboration an essential part of understanding the music.
~ Oliver (DULAXI Team)
CLOSING
A sincere thank you to Steve Petrinko and Dolapo Oladejo for taking the time to speak with DULAXI and share the story behind Solid Ground. Our conversation offered a closer look at the friendship that brought them together, the creative process that connects their work across two countries, and the values that continue to guide their music.
From the beginnings of their partnership to the development of their second full-length album, Steve and Dolapo have shown how a shared love of music can create a space for mutual support, personal expression, and meaningful collaboration. Their reflections on songwriting, vocal arrangements, and the importance of maintaining their individual identities while working towards a common vision provide a valuable perspective on the people behind the project.
We encourage readers to experience Solid Ground and discover the different stories contained within its songs. Whether it is the celebration of friendship in “Fresh Squeeze”, the inclusive message of “Every Colour”, or the reassurance offered by the title track, the album invites listeners to consider the connections that help us navigate life and the hope that can be found even during challenging times.
Thank you for spending time with DULAXI and joining us for this conversation. Be sure to follow Steve and Dolapo as they continue their musical journey and develop new work together. I am Oliver, and I look forward to bringing you more conversations with artists whose stories, experiences, and creative visions deserve to be heard.