'I'm still that kid': Finn Wolfhard on Stranger Things and his debut solo album

At age 12, Canadian actor Finn Wolfhard shot to fame after landing the role of a lifetime on the hit Netflix show Stranger Things. But growing up in the spotlight wasn't always easy.

The day after the show came out, Wolfhard started experiencing feelings of anxiety that eventually resulted in severe panic attacks. Fans would often conflate him with his Stranger Things character, and he felt like he had little control over his public image or his artistic life. Plus, he was so focused on working that he missed out on some of the big coming-of-age milestones that other kids his age had, like going to prom.

Now, Stranger Things is coming to an end and Wolfhard has launched a solo music career with his newly released debut album, Happy Birthday. In an interview with Q's Tom Power in his hometown of Vancouver, the 22-year-old actor says he's "establishing some kind of freedom."

"I spent my entire childhood doing what was safe because I had to," he says. "If you're 12 years old and you're famous, you're on your best behavior. And even now, it's not like I'm going rogue, but I'm definitely exploring other things in my career."

While Wolfhard has released music before with the bands Calpurnia and The Aubreys, this is the first time he's gone out on his own. His new song Crown explores his childhood while asserting a more grown-up identity.

"That song is basically me being like, 'I'm still that kid from that show, but I am now older and now my own person.' … I wanted these lyrics that were kind of childlike and talking about nostalgia and talking being a child, but like with this kind of gnarly, loud song."

When Wolfhard was writing the album from about 18 to 20, he was thinking a lot about his transition from childhood to adulthood. That reflection only intensified when filming for the series finale of Stranger Things wrapped up last year.

"[This record] is just me asking myself all these questions that I didn't get to ask myself in high school," he says. "Just like, 'Who am I? Who am I to people? Why do I act this way?'"

Though Wolfhard is now seeking some separation from Stranger Things, he says he feels extremely lucky and grateful to have had such an incredible opportunity.

"That's why I never am jaded about the show ever," he says. "I don't care that I'll be 50 and someone comes up to me and is like, 'You're the kid!' Like, that's great. I'm so proud of that show."

The full interview with Finn Wolfhard is available on our YouTube channel and on our podcast, Q with Tom Power. He also talks about Stranger Things. Listen and follow wherever you get your podcasts.

Interview with Finn Wolfhard produced by Vanessa Nigro.