Few artists embody reinvention quite like Adam Tashtamirov Having left home at a young age, his path has been defined by constant exploration – of cultures, of sound and of self. His music resists easy categorization, moving fluidly between underground, indie, hip-hop, and electronic influences, all while anchored in themes of identity, struggle, and transformation. Following the conceptual depth of his CELLS EP, Adam now turns his focus to his most ambitious project yet: a forthcoming album that he has shaped entirely, from creative direction to storytelling. In this conversation, he reflects on the challenges of finding one’s place, the delicate balance between personal expression and universal resonance, and his evolution as an artist determined to exist beyond boundaries.

Hi Adam, thanks very much for taking the time to sit down with us today at We Own The Nite. How are you today? 

I’m doing great, so far.

Your journey in music started with leaving home at a young age. What was the most defining moment in that transition for you?

Leaving home was definitely a big change. Different cultures that I managed to experience throughout my life helped me to develop interesting taste in art.

Your music often deals with themes of identity and struggle. How much of that comes from your personal experience? 

A lot of it is drawn from my own experiences, of course. Identity and struggle are universal themes, but they also run deep for me personally. The challenges I’ve faced, particularly with finding my place in the world, are reflected in my music. It’s my way of processing it all. 

Your CELLS EP with Stereotype explored the idea of confinement vs. DNA—what shapes us vs. what holds us back. Do you feel like you’ve broken free from past limitations, or do they still influence you?

I think it’s an ongoing process, where I break free from past limitations and at the same time I form new ones because my personality is always changing

You have a brand new album coming up this year — what can you tell us about that?

Yes, the album is called .LONG WAY. “PLEASURE”. It’s the first time that I got an opportunity to develop the whole thing from A to Z. All of it creative direction, art around that, storyline, all of it.

You’ve worked in underground scenes, indie, hip-hop, and electronic music. Do you feel like you belong to any particular space, or do you exist outside of those boundaries? 

I feel like I exist outside of any one space. I’ve always tried to avoid being confined to a particular genre or scene. My music draws from so many influences that I can’t really say I belong to one specific space. I’m just trying to make something real, regardless of the label.

What was the moment when you realized, “This isn’t just a passion—I can actually build a career in music”?

Somehow I got this feeling very early, looking up to the greatest I just saw myself around these people, and also I always had an urge to express myself through art, that made me realize that I can make an impact.

Has there ever been a time when you doubted your path? What pulled you through?

Oh, for sure. There have been plenty of moments of doubt, especially in the early days when things weren’t coming together. What pulled me through was the belief in the art itself. Every time I doubted, I just reminded myself that giving up isn’t an option for me and never will.

Many artists struggle with the balance between personal storytelling and making music for a wider audience. How do you navigate that? 

It’s a tricky balance. I try to stay true to my own self. As long as I’m honest in what I’m saying, I think the audience will feel that. It’s not about watering things down for anyone—it’s about finding a universal truth in my own experience.

How do you think you’ve evolved as an artist, from when you started Stereotype to where you are now?

I’ve definitely grown in terms of sound and confidence. When I started Stereotype, I was still figuring out who I was as an artist. Now, I’m sure of what I want to say and how I want to say it. The evolution has been about allowing myself to actually be how I am and not fall into potential expectations of me. 

If someone listens to your music for the first time, what’s the one thing you hope they take away from it? 

My music is all about raw emotion – if you dig then it’s it. 

What’s something about you—outside of music—that fans might be surprised to know?

I cook a lot. I find a lot of similarities in food and music. And of course I started my journey as video director as well.

Any final words for our readers?

.LONG WAY. “PLEASURE”