Beyond Acting, Just How Musically “Multi-Talented” Is the Stranger Things Cast?

Not only leaving a strong impression through their acting, the cast of Stranger Things has also surprised audiences by revealing remarkably strong musical abilities — with some even building serious music careers independent of their on-screen fame.

In addition to Millie Bobby Brown, who has repeatedly shared casual singing videos on social media, Gaten Matarazzo drew attention when he joined the 2023 Broadway cast of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Sadie Sink also stepped into the music world through the rock musical O’Dessa, while Charlie Heaton previously toured with his own band.

However, some Stranger Things cast members have gone far beyond simply “trying their hand” at music, instead releasing albums and pursuing it in a structured, long-term way.

Most notably is Joe Keery, the artist behind the music project Djo. Before achieving global fame as Steve Harrington, Keery was a member of the Chicago psych-rock band Post Animal. When he transitioned to a solo career, he deliberately avoided linking his music to his acting persona. Albums such as Twenty Twenty, Decide, The Crux, and especially End of Beginning — a nostalgic track about youth and pivotal moments of growing up — unexpectedly became a phenomenon, proving that Joe Keery was never “just making music for fun.”

Meanwhile, Maya Hawke (Robin) has built a distinctly personal musical world of her own. She has released three albums — Blush, Moss, and Chaos Angel — following a folk/indie direction. Her music centers on acoustic guitar, gentle melodies, and an intimate vocal style that feels like listening to a story being quietly told.

For Finn Wolfhard — Stranger Things’ Mike — music has grown alongside his coming-of-age journey. From his early days in the teenage band Calpurnia, to the coming-of-age project The Aubreys, and later solo experiments under the name Ziggy Katz, Finn gradually shaped his musical identity before releasing the album Happy Birthday under his real name.

Also worth mentioning is Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas). Although he has yet to release many projects, his musical style is considered one of the most promising and distinctive among the cast. The actor has shared that he has a clear vision for his musical path and is steadily working to bring it to life.

Finally, there is Jamie Campbell Bower — the Vecna who haunted Hawkins. Billboard once noted that his songs incorporate religious imagery and symbolism, unintentionally mirroring the dark, demonic undertones of the character he portrays on screen.

It’s clear that for the Stranger Things cast, acting is only part of the story. Music isn’t merely a hobby — for many of them, it’s a serious path they are actively pursuing, enough to make audiences see them in an entirely new light.