Song Stems Revealed: What They Are, How to Use Them & Why They Matter to You

Scott Zuniga — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 13:14:25 GMT

To really understand a song, you need to go to the stem.

What Are Song Stems (and Why Should You Care)?

Ever wondered what a song sounds like when it’s broken down into its individual parts? Not just the final mix but the separate layers: vocals, drums, guitars, keys. The architecture beneath the surface.

That’s what stems give you.

Stems are sub-mixes of grouped tracks. Instead of every single raw recording (called multitracks), stems give you a clean, manageable set of files: vocals, drums, guitars, synths, bass — enough to hear the structure, enough to play with, enough to create something new.

To celebrate the launch of my Patreon and I’m making the stems for all of my songs available exclusively there — starting with Every Day I Escape You.

Here’s a sample of that song’s vocal stem:

Here’s a sample of that song’s guitar stem:

Why Song Stems Are next-level music food for Fans and Creators

For Fans: It’s like sitting in the control room during the recording. You get to hear the song in a whole new way. Solo the drums, mute the vocals, or just let the guitars ride. Each part is naked.

For Musicians: Whenever I want to learn a new song, I try to find its stems. Stems are the ultimate practice tool because you can learn parts in detail. Want to master a guitar line? Isolate it. Want to sing harmony? Bring the vocals forward.

For DJs & Remixers: Stems are gold because they’re the foundation of creativity in electronic and live music. Build mashups, create remixes, or layer vocals over your own beats.

For Filmmakers & Content Creators: Adapt songs for your videos. Extend instrumental sections, pull back vocals, shape the mood to fit your project.

The point is, stems transform music from something you only listen to into something you can interact with and build a completely different piece of music with!

Why I’m Opening My Catalog (Starting with Every Day I Escape You)

As an artist, I don’t want my songs to just exist as finished products. I want them to live, breathe, and evolve in the hands of listeners.

That’s why I’m opening my catalog on Patreon, one song at a time.

Here’s what you’ll get with Every Day I Escape You:

Official stems — vocals, drums, guitars, and keys, clean and ready.
High-quality, High-fidelity Master files. (I explain Mastering in this article)
Freedom to remix, reimagine, or just explore the layers.

Every month I’ll add more songs. Piece by piece, my entire catalog will be open for you to step inside.

Consider this your invitation to create something on top of a creation, or just enjoy my songs in a different way.

The Big Idea: Songs Aren’t Finished — They’re Alive

Songs don’t end when they’re released. They evolve. They become a part of our lives, our memories and our stories. They can also be reshaped, remixed, reimagined. The greatest music has always lived this way — from oral traditions to vinyl sampling to TikTok mashups.

Here’s an example of a famous stem from a hit song, remixed into what became another hit song. This is Under Pressure by Queen:

Here’s the remix of the bass guitar stem inserted in to Ice Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice:

I’m partial to the Queen version, but I grew up in parachute pants, so, what can I say?

Stems are the bridge between one creation and another. Use my stems! enjoy them, create with them, make hit songs with them so we can get some sweet royalties.

Fly little birds, fly!

Try the Stems Yourself

❓ If you could remix any song in the world, which one would you choose — and why? Answer in the comments.

These 3 Songwriting Hacks Will Unlock Your Creativity

Scott Zuniga — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 14:35:17 GMT

3 TIPS FOR SONGWRITING INSPIRATION (+1 Secret Tip—My Favorite)

Here are three unique tips (plus a secret weapon!) that spark my creativity time and again. Try them for one week and you’ll scoop your creativity out of its rut.

1. Write from an inanimate object’s perspective

Pick something mundane—a chair, a leaf, a coin—and imagine its daily life. What would it care about? What would frustrate it? Step into its world and let your imagination take over.

This idea inspired my song I Am A Coin, which explores the quiet struggles of a simple coin in a human world.

🎧 Listen to “I Am A Coin”

2. Keep a dream journal

Write down your dreams the moment you wake up. Dreams are full of surreal, subconscious imagery that can spark melodies, lyrics, and fresh ideas.

After losing five years of song ideas in a hard drive crash, I didn’t pick up my guitar for three years. Then one night, I dreamed about swimming with the Loch Ness Monster and woke up with a melody in my head. That dream brought me back to songwriting and became Isla’s Promise.

🎧 Listen to “Isla’s Promise”

3. Eavesdrop on conversations

Pay attention to snippets of dialogue you hear on the bus, in cafes, or walking down the street. Challenge yourself to jot down one overheard line a day and see where it leads you.

I keep a Notion doc called Sweet Overheard Lines filled with random phrases I’ve overheard. Some are hilarious, others inspiring—but every now and then, they spark a song.

This method helped me write Night Games.

🎧 Listen to “Night Games”

Secret Tip: Use Your Most Vulnerable Memory

Everyone writes from experience—but I’m not talking about just any memory. I mean that one.

Ask yourself: What’s the memory you’re most afraid of?

As soon as you think of it, you’ll hesitate. You’ll hear a million reasons in your head not to write about it. Ignore them.

This isn’t writer’s block—you could write about this memory all day. So do it. Even if it’s raw, messy, or unfinished. Even if no one else ever hears it. This is where your best work is hiding.

This process gave birth to my song Crushed Ice.

🎧 Listen to “Crushed Ice”

Once you’ve written about that memory, move to the next thing you’re afraid of. Then the next. Keep going, fear by fear, memory by memory.

The more comfortable you become with being vulnerable in your writing, the more truth and authenticity you will unearth. The world is waiting to hear it.

Begin!

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P.S.

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SCOTT ZUNIGA: Behind the Songs