Stephanie Braganza Slays Her Inner Demons In “Feel A Little Less”

Stephanie Braganza isn’t here to play it safe. Known for her powerhouse vocals and fearless presence on stage, the Toronto-based artist is kicking off a new chapter with her latest single “Feel A Little Less,” a pop-rock anthem that blends the emotional intensity of Paramore with the grit of Sum 41 and the raw power of Good Charlotte.

This track hits hard because it’s real. Written during a dark time in Stephanie’s life, Feel A Little Less started as a reflection on feeling trapped inside her own mind. Over time, it evolved into something much bigger — an anthem about reclaiming power, silencing inner demons, and refusing to let pain define you. Whether your monster is internal or standing right in front of you, this song is your call to pick up the sword and fight back.

“If this song helps even one person feel understood or a little more seen, that’s more than I could ever ask for.”

Backed by heavy guitars, driving drums, and soaring vocals, the single captures the emotional tug-of-war between wanting to escape and choosing to survive. It’s cathartic, defiant, and painfully relatable. The song’s official music video doubles down on that message, with a symbolic, warrior-like visual theme and a sword that represents the emotional battle at the song’s core. The cover art brings that same monster to life — a reminder that the fight is real, but so is the strength to overcome it.

Stephanie Braganza has spent her career making bold moves. From singing at the Rogers Centre during Blue Jays games to breaking a Guinness World Record, and even earning co-signs from PETA and No Doubt’s Tony Kanal. But "Feel A Little Less" might be her most important move yet.

“Feel A Little Less” was written during a dark time in your life. Can you walk us through what that period looked like and how the song helped you process it?

I was coming out of a toxic relationship that left me feeling emotionally drained and like I didn’t even recognize myself anymore. It was one of those situations where you’re constantly walking on eggshells, and over time, you start to believe the awful things being said about you. I had internalized so much negativity that I felt like I didn’t deserve to exist. That unprocessed trauma slowly built into what I’ve since been diagnosed with as C-PTSD. 

Writing Feel A Little Less was one of the first steps toward reclaiming my voice. It gave me space to say what I was too afraid to say out loud at the time. The lyrics came from a place of deep hurt, but also a quiet kind of resistance. It was like I was telling myself: "you don’t have to keep living in this ache — you’ve wasted so much time floundering in your pain; you’ve forgotten your purpose." That thought is what carried me through.

The visual concept of the music video is bold and symbolic. What does the sword represent to you personally, and how did the ‘monster’ imagery evolve from your own experience?

The sword represents fighting back — not just against someone else, but against the voice in your own head that tells you you’re not good enough. For me, the ‘monster’ represents both my inner critic and a real-life person who, for whatever reason, seemed determined to bring me down. It’s that energy that tries to sabotage your growth and convince you that your light is too much.

In the video, I wanted to show myself stepping into my power, not by being perfect, but by being willing to fight for myself. The whole warrior aesthetic felt true to where I’m at now: I’ve been through battles, I’ve got scars, but I’m still here, and I’m stronger because I’m moving toward the other side of it.

You mentioned the meaning of the song shifted over time. How has your relationship with the track changed from when you first wrote it to releasing it now?

When I first wrote Feel A Little Less, I was just trying to survive. It was raw and personal — parts of it read like a diary entry I didn’t expect to share. At the time, it felt like a lifeline during a toxic relationship where I was constantly questioning my worth. I was still in the thick of it, and the song gave me a place to let it out. The opening line, “Dear Doctor, remove these scars,” is one of the most personal in the song. It captures how desperate I was to erase what had been done to me — emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

Now that it's released, I hear it differently. I see it less as a cry for help and more like a battle anthem — a reminder that I didn’t give up on myself. Performing it now feels powerful instead of painful. I've even had people reach out saying it helped them feel seen, and that’s changed how I connect with it, too. It’s not just about what I went through - it’s about resilience.

There’s a lyric that stands out to me every time I sing it: “trying to heal is the hardest part, ripped out the roots along with my heart.” It represents the grief that comes with severing ties — from the past, from the parts of yourself that you thought you needed to keep in order to belong. Letting go of those roots was devastating, but also necessary for me to start healing on my own terms.

This release feels like the start of a new chapter. What have you learned about yourself, as both an artist and a person, through creating and releasing this song?

This release has been a huge turning point for me, creatively and personally. I realized I don’t need to water myself down to be palatable or "perfect." I’ve spent years second-guessing my instincts, but with this project, I trusted my gut — from the songwriting to the visuals. I allowed myself to take up space, to be loud, dramatic, emotional - all the things I was taught to suppress.

As a person, I’ve learned that I’m stronger than I thought. I used to feel like my pain was something meant to be hidden. But this song — and the whole process around it — reminded me that vulnerability can be a kind of strength. And as an artist, I’ve learned that my voice has value, even when it shakes.

What do you hope fans who are battling their own “monsters” feel when they listen to "Feel A Little Less" for the first time?

I hope they feel less alone. That was a big reason I wanted to share this — to reach someone who might be stuck in the same kind of darkness. Sometimes, just knowing someone else has been there can be enough to keep you going. I also want it to be empowering. If you’re fighting to get through the day and you get to the end of it, you’re already a warrior. I hope this song helps people feel just a little bit more seen, like someone out there understands the weight they’re carrying, even if it’s just for a moment.