Happy New Year Everyone!
I am at Midem with the band DRUGS of which I have been a member for about 5 years. The band consists of Joey Eppard an amazingly, talented singer, songwriter and musician, Robert “chicken”Burke songwriter and drummer who produced some of the tracks on my new album, Clip Payne from funkadelic, Gary Shider, from Funkadelic, Lige Curry from Funkadelic, Adam Widoff a very special guitarist and songwriter and myself. What can i say being in the band is great and the music incorporates every style of music I love, funk, rock, soul, blues. These guys are so much fun to tour with. We perform on jan 30th at 8:30 pm if you are in France at the conference. Swing by and check us out.
The day before I had the honor to perform with Toshi Reagon for four days at her Birthday concerts at Joe’s Pub in New York. Big shout out to Toshi for allowing me the opportunity to share her birthday with her. Toshi is one of the most honest performers and generous people you will ever meet. Her mother is the founder of the seminal gospel group ” Sweet Honey and the Rock”. Bernice joined us on the last day for the Sacred music show and it was like going to school. This woman is a force of nature incredible, singing from another time and place that will move your spirit to tears. We were also joined by Ms Lizz Wright who performed her classic and soon to be released version of Bernice’s song “Hey Man”. When you hear Lizz Wright sing this song it will foster memories of Roberta Flack singing “first time ever I saw your face” or “Whitney singing, Dolly Partons “I will always love you” simply captivating. Look out for her new album to be released on verve Feb 25th.
Well I jetted out to France today no time for sleep gotta hit the floor and see what this Midem conference is all about stay tuned……
ps..
Obama is making history by inspiring people at the right time with the right message and a fresh perspective. I will be making sure to cast my absentee ballot by Feb 5th.
Where will you be on that historic day.. It is up to us!
Hello, I just got back from Athens. This trip was so special for me because it was the first time that I have travelled with my own band internationally in about 3 years. I performed with a trio at the Half Note Jazz club for one week, Two 70 minute sets a night. It was quite ambitious after flying back to New York from Australia and then back out again, but i got through it and feel so strong and relieved that my voice held up. I would like to thank the Half Note family for making me feel so welcome. Thank you to all the great people who came out to the club to support our music. Thank you to John, Jonathon and Manny for your creative musicanship and professionalism.
The musicians that went on the trip were all veterans in their own right. John Deley on keys, Jonathon Maron on bass and Manny laine on drums. The best thing about travelling with these guys is that they were so professional. There was no babysitting on this tour. Everyone was on time and took care of themselves and had a great attitude, which is one of the greatest assets you can have behind you as an artist wehn you are on the road. Pleasant people to travel with who are genuinely nice.
We went around to see some of the sites. Of course the acropolis which was right near the hotel. We stayed at the Phillipos hotel where we met The Peter Pan Christmas show cast and crew in the latter half of the week. An international cast that has been to 25 cities in two years. Even though iI have travelled quite alot as a professinal musician, I still marvel at people who live this lifestyle and am always curious about their experiences with balancing family and their unusual career. so i take advantage of meeting and talking with other performers when i meet them. We met a costume designer from Barcelona and an ice skater from Checkoslovakia the same town as John’s dad. What are the chances!
Some of the cast came to the show. It was a great time. By the the last show I was so happy to be finished I gave the most fun and lighthearted performance of the week. There was so much cigarette smoke in the club. We were so happy that we wouldn’t have to inhale this smoke any longer during the performances. Again the Greek audiences were so generous and appreciative and most of them would put out their cigarettes when I asked nicely. :) I found the Greek people to very passionate, generous, and generally big hearted people. They love soul music and were saying to me like in Austrailia that they don’t get exposed to music like this out there so they were so glad we came and requested that we come back soon.
I am going to play the Jazz standard in New York on Monday December 17th with the same musicians. If you are in New York please check us out. We are going two sets as well. I believe 8 and 10pm. or 7 and 9pm.
All the best,
Stephanie
Haven’t posted a blog in a few weeks so much travelling. The last two cities in Austrailia were very exciting Perth and Adalita. I kept hearing form so many people that they don’t usually get this type of music out here and they loved it and wish more people would come to their city. The club was so hot in Perth, I mean the temperature. My fro was in full effect and everyone kept asking me if it was my real hair. Yes, i would say. I pulled it from the root so they could see :) In Perth there was no backstage area, you had to stand in the entrance way of the club wehre the door to the stage was, very unusaul layout. I had to keep peaking through this door while saying hello to people before I went on. I met so many new people after the gig, all were enthusiastic and enjoyed the show.
Katalyst, and J-live rocked the house as well as J-live , Steve, Adalita, and Ru Cl. it was another great night for the tour. Everyone is mad cool.
Looking forward to coming back for the Good Vibrations Festival.
Peace,
Stephanie
Sydney, you were great last night. The Gaelic club was on fire! It was hot in the club but the people were warm hearted and made us feel so welcome. Thank you for your support and coming out to the show. It was my pleasure once again to perform for you. Yesterday, I had a day off. I went exploring around the city to do a some sightseeing back to Botanical Gardens to wind down and do some writing, decided to take hop on the train around the grounds. I bought a ticket to see a matinee of a Mass choir performance to check out the acoustics at the Sydney Opera house. It was beautiful. After that I met up with my new friend Ingrid to catch sculptures by the Sea at Bondi beach, an exhibition along the coastline of three beaches by varous aritsts teh scultures, mixed media, steel, so many imaginative works which made us think, laugh and get inspired. We bought some lunch and sat on a wall by the beach and watched all the people walk by in front of the sea. My experience with nearly all of the restaurants has been very positive. The quality of food is healthy and the menu choices creative. It is fortunate to have access to this kind of food on the road. I am meeting so many interesting artists out here. I will post some pics when I get back home. I visited the record store HUM today. Have you checked out Imani Coppola’s new album.. I love it.
All the best,
Stephanie
Melborne!!! So that’s how you do it! What a welcome!:) You cahrmed me what can I say. Can I take you home with me to New York? Thank you for the great energy you guys gave last night. It was such a pleasure to perform for you. Big shout out to Katalyst for bringing me over to be a part of his What’s happening tour. J-live represented Uptown, Ru CL and Adalita represented Melbourne, Spacek, you the man, keeping it true. Nothing but positive vibes in the house. Stu and Lee holding it down for us. Melbourne, Prince of wales club thank you for starting our tour off right.
Peace and mad respect,
Stephanie
We flew to Melbourne this morning. I am stayin gin a town called St. Kilda and it was another beautiful day of summerlike weather. St Kilda is this town by a bay. Very charming with lots of restaurants and shops. Reminds me a little of Miami without the fake boobs and less populated. In the summer heat there are a lot of flies. Everyone is walking down the street swatting flies from their face. It gets pretty annoying after awhile but when the sun goes down it is alot more manageable. I am told that this time of year, first of summer the flies hatch so there are not usually as many flies during other parts of the year. Thank goodness :)
Today was an exciting day because I heard myself on the radio for the first time in Austrailia and it was a blast. They played the Triple j Live performance we recorded today and i must say it was nice to hear. Really loving Austarailia so far. We play the Prince of Wales club tomorrow…stay tuned.
Peace,
stephanie
So today we did a live radio show on Triple J for J TV. big hello to Robbie the host of “Like a version” It was alot of fun to perform ‘Say what you feel” for the first time with Katalyst, big shout out to Stu Hunter who accompanied on keys for performance. Since my last post, I have seen some interesting sites. Went to the Botanical Gardens with Simon my old bass player who is originally from Austrailia and Ingrid’s katalyst’s wife. So it was good catching up with him and checking the local sites. I saw 7,000 bats! This is no exxageration in the garden hanging upside down from the trees. It was kindof like being in a Hitchcock film. I tried to get over my initial shock from visually seeing that many bats at once but needles to say my pace got much quicker as I hear they like to leave you a surprise on your shoulder every now and then.
I went to a beautiful movie theater last night in Cremorne. Saw “Lions for Lambs”…. Life is good .
thursday we leave for Melborne, Firday is our first show. Can’t wait to meet the Aussie audiences.
Talk to you soon,
Stephanie
yesterday was a productinve day. Katalyst and I finished a new song. We had some time to visit the harbor and mix work with a little leisure time to clear our minds. I love working like this.I haven’t bead to the sea in sooo long. I was long overdue to smell some sea air. It was beautiful. Having the beach so close to the city reminded me of Chicago another favorite city of mine. There used to be this great video store in Illinois Avenue called Videobeat where you could get all this rare live concert footage of never before seen shows with great artists. I remeber buying the whole Soul train collection with Japanese subtitles. Classic stuff. I am sure some of you have it in your collection. Yesterday I did an interview with a woman named Cyclone. a writer who had happened to see me perform with Amp Fiddler in Detroit. Whatup Cyclone! giving you a quick shout out. Glad I finally made it to Austarilia!
Peace and respect,
Stephanie
I made it to Sydney safe and sound. Its a little cooler here than expected. Summer is just starting here. All is well. Did one radio interview today. Excited to be recording some new music out here with Katalyst. If you haven’t checked out the new song we did together from his new record “What’s happening” called “Say what you feel” check it out on the video page. Gotta unpack now…talk to you soon.
Peace,
Stephanie
I am on my way to AussieLand. The “Whats Happening” tour with Dj Katalyst, J-live, and Spacek. I am so honored to be working with these artists. Stay tuned ….
Hey Everyone,
Thank you for visiting my brand new site! This will be the new home to all things happening with me musically so be sure to check back for new updates and sign up for the mailing list. Feel free to click around and give me your feedback in the community section. I would like to make the site as userfriendly as possible.
Let me know what’s happening in your city and request a show if you like.
This year has been an interesting ride. Lots of good things are happening. On November 5th, I will be touring in Austrailia for the first time with Dj Katalyst, J-live and Spacek. My first time travelling to Austrailia should be alot of fun.
Will keep you updated with video and exclusive behind the scene diary entries so you can share in every moment of the tour.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Peace and respect,
Stephanie