Stella Prince’s “Two Faced,” “Loneliness is possibly one of the most common emotions and yet it is so hard to understand how it affects our life choices and decisions.”
Born and raised in Woodstock, NY, by your painter/photographer mom and writer dad, immersed in their extensive all-genre CD collection. Frequent concert attendee — where you first encountered artists like Levon Helm, Amy Helm, Pete Seeger, Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul and Mary), Tracy Bonham, and Natalie Merchant. How do you feel the exposure to multiple genres growing up influenced the artist you are today?
It was very important to my development as an artist to have such early exposure to so many varied genres of music. I love so many types of music and hope some of that affinity comes through in my style, which sometimes leans either indie or folk or country. I would prefer if there didn’t need to be such delineated separations of the genres because really they all have so much to offer.
Heavily influenced by pop and oldies music. Voice lessons at the age of four, piano lessons at the age of six, guitar lessons at the age of nine, and writing your first song at the age of ten. From the age of 12 to 14, hosted your own 1930s-1940s oldies radio show. Who are some of your favorite artists and songs from the 30s and 40s?
Judy Garland, Doris Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Dean Martin, Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby, Vera Lynn, Annette Hanshaw — there are so many I love from that era!
Graduated high school at age 15 during the pandemic. Earned an associate degree the following year. “I think the pandemic actually pushed me positively to focus entirely on my career, and nothing else but my career.” Was it at this time you decided to move to Nashville with your parents?
I knew I wanted and needed to be in Nashville but understood that I had to wait. That waiting was difficult but it allowed me to finish up my education early while also connecting with a lot of people in Nashville virtually. So I was paving the way for that eventual move, which has already been so rewarding!
Musical influences include Garland, Karen Carpenter, Patsy Cline, Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift. While these artists come from different eras and genres, what would you say are some common traits they share as musicians?
The power of emotion these artists share through their amazing vocals is what links all these incredible artists. Style isn’t important when you have the depth and sincerity of feeling that can touch us all.
Change the Conversation (created by three successful music executives to improve the environment for women in country music) sponsors your female-only Americana/Folk showcase at The Underdog in Music City (next showcases are August 20 and September 19 — which is a special event chosen to be a part of AmericanaFest 2023). The executives (Leslie Fram, Tracy Gershon, Beverly Keel) formed the group in 2014, “We are dedicated to improving the environment for women in music. Our goal is to become obsolete and “to never have this conversation again.” Close to a decade later they aren’t obsolete. What is needed to finally make that happen?
I think there is a lot more work to be done here!
2021, released “Before You Leave” (debut release) along with three more singles.
2022, took you on your first international run in the UK and saw your first single, “Crying on a Saturday Night,” that went to radio (and charted on the Americana Singles Chart). 2023, awarded a First Timers Scholarship at Folk Alliance. The Folk Alliance International Conference, presented by Folk Alliance International, is the world’s largest gathering of the folk music industry and community. Can you share some personal highlights from the Conference?
It was fantastic to meet artists from all over the world and I loved playing in showcases, even at 1 a.m.!
“You got her right where you wanted… Lonely enough so she’d take the bait… Blinded by words that were only an empty promise… Desperation paves way for mistakes.” The heart of the song is in the chorus: ‘There’s all kinds of empty… but the hardest one to take… is lies that seem tempting… Loneliness is two faced.’ For your eighth independently released single, “Two Faced,” you shared, “My big goal is for someone to play my song and think, ‘That’s exactly how I feel…’ I want my songs to resonate with everyone, every generation, every issue: loneliness, fear, all of that.” What inspired the writing of the song?
Loneliness is possibly one of the most common emotions and yet it is so hard to understand how it affects our life choices and decisions. It can cause us to stay in situations that are difficult or even unhealthy, making us believe there is no way out. I wanted to call attention to that and maybe by doing so give someone hope that change is possible.
The new release, self-produced, was recorded ‘live’ at the legendary Sound Stage Studios, the Music Row location that opened in 1970. Worked with Steve Fishell (pedal steel guitarist, Grammy-winning record producer, and educator), Ben Garrett (keys, guitar), PJ Schreiner (drums), Mike Dunton (electric guitar), and Father Phillip. “It was an amazing experience — my first time ever recording with a full band. Actually, this song specifically is the first ever song I recorded with more than just me. It was wild and incredible.” What made this experience so special?
Working with Steve Fishell was a true honor, he is such a phenomenal and generous musician. And in that legendary studio where Dolly Parton and Stevie Nicks had recorded just the week before! The band was amazing to work with and recording in front of an audience was thrilling — my every nerve ending was activated!
Performed at some of the world’s most prestigious venues and events, including London’s The Bedford and Spice of Life, New York’s Bitter End and Arlene’s Grocery, Nashville’s famed Bluebird Cafe and The Basement, Pig N’ Whistle and Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles, Woodstock’s The Colony, The Falcon (NY), and the Greenwich Village Folk Festival. Where are your top five bucket list venues to perform at?
The Grammys, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, The Hollywood Bowl, ya know, the usual!
What’s ahead?
I’m about to go out west for some tour dates, then to Cambridge, MA and NYC to play at some legendary venues I’ve always dreamed of performing at. Then I’m off to the UK where I have shows at legendary venues all over London. And then more work in the recording studio on my new songs for future releases. It’s a very exciting time!