In no particular order or convention: Sarah McLachlan,The Cranberries, Jann Arden, Sufjan Stevens, Enya, Beirut, Explosions in the Sky, Cat Power, Shara Worden (My Brightest Diamond), Annie Clark (St. Vincent), Chasing Furies, Joni Mitchell, The Innocence Mission, Elton John, Coldplay, The Postal Service, Murder By Death, Death Cab For Cutie, Sara Groves.
Sounds Like
Sarah McLachlan meets Sufjan Stevens with a little touch of Enya.
A native Texan, Stephanie and her mom made the pilgrimage “U-haul style” to Denver, Colorado when she was just 7 years old. Her most beloved items that she dragged along with her included: a pet fish, a 20 year old cat and a Mini Casio Keyboard, which she banged on incessantly (the keyboard, not the cat or pet fish). From the beginning, Stephanie was aware that she had songs in her. What she was not aware of was that it was a gift (this is something that she discovered only a few months ago). She thought that everyone could hear symphonies and sonatas in their head and that it was nothing special. Needless to say, when Stephanie was 6 years old she composed her first masterpiece entitled “They Dance Romance” dedicated to her mom and step-dad. She received such inspirational feedback that she decided to perform it in her elementary school cafeteria during lunch along-side her trusty ol’ Casio. Ever since that moment, Stephanie has felt more at home on stage than anywhere else in the world. At age 9, she took up the violin, but grew weary of sight-reading and invented her own form of composition by using shapes and pictures and playing by ear instead of taking direction from her music teachers (tut, tut). The years went by and still the music never left her. Wherever there was a piano or stringed instrument, she would pick it up and play it without hesitation. One chilly November night, the eve before her 16th birthday, Stephanie wished with all of her heart that in the morning she would awake to find a car parked in the driveway with a big red bow on it. Instead, something much more magical happened, something that would determine her future forever. The following morning she was overwhelmed with joy to find a piano awaiting her in the living room topped by a big red bow. From then on she was in love. She spent endless hours playing and composing, even ditching class and faking sick to play the piano. Friends encouraged her to begin auditioning and showcasing some of her songs. Thus, in high school she began to share with others, her most precious complilations at talent shows, choir concerts, school functions, basketball games, booster club meetings and during lunch in the cafeteria. It all came full circle. In 2005, Stephanie trekked half-way across the country to New York City where she attended The American Academy of Dramatic Arts to pursue a career in acting. She pushed music to the side and drowned herself in Shakespeare, Coward and Williams. In May 2007, five days after graduation, Stephanie bought a plane ticket to Paris and a green backpack that looked like a giant pickle. She then burned her head shots and waved goodbye to her acting colleagues (who were still scratching their heads) and backpacked across Europe…alone. Whilst in Europe, something extraordinary began to happen to Stephanie. She began to hear music again and her heart came alive once more. She suddenly missed her piano and cello terribly and curved the cravings by learning to whistle and to play the guitar and harmonica. When Stephanie returned to the United States 3 months later, she realized that New York City was no longer her home (for the time being) and thus hopped back on a plane and flew straight to Denver. At present, Stephanie is currently a full-time singer/songwriter committed to continuously improving her craft, voice and heart, hence the name of her newly released EP “Heart in Hand”.
omg steph!! i haven't talked to you in years and i just saw you put up headshots and OMG girl your voice! I ALWAYS knew you were destined for greatnes and I was defe. right! i still have that choir cd of you and tony singing that song you wrote. i can't stop listening to you! i want that album :) how are you doing? how is your life these days? love to hear from you! <3 Katie lol remember "bob"
wow Stephanie! i had never listened to the final project of your work until now...you are amazing girl! He has blessed you so richly--keep working hard!
Hey Stephanie, It was great to see you the other night! We are excited to partner with you and play some shows. Are you available Aug 22nd? Let us know!
teaching hasn't quite started yet, but i'm pretty sure i'm going to love it.. though it will be a challenge for sure.
i was thinking about the misery of waiting for the train out of berlin, and how we said we would never forget it. it seems so long ago.. all those downs and ups. but those few weeks were so enriched... they mark my memory too.
i miss you chickadee, but you are singing beautifully and i'm welling with pride, as i always am with you. what's the best way to go about getting a cd, anyway?
I can't believe you went backpacking across Europe on your own! That is so awesome, I'm jealous. Where did you visit? I went a couple summers ago with dan, but it wasn't long enough. I want to go back. That is amazing that u can just teach yourself instruments like that, I'm still back on beginning piano. Life's been really good lately... I'm still up at WSU... i miss colorado and everyone there soo bad. anyway, i graduate in May, and then who knows what.... graphic design or web design or something... i'll probably end up trapped in a cubicle somewhere. I'm glad to see that you're doing well and making awesome music.
