"SHOW YOU"

Every year I’m usually pretty hype about SXSW, but this year was different. As a musician I kinda felt like Cinderella not being invited to the ball. While I’d like to think for the past 3 years I’ve actually been submitting an application for this event, I feel more like I was making a donation instead. What do I need that $35 for anyway. I’m just a starving artist, right? Then come to find out a majority of the acts being selected are already signed!! What’s that about?

I get having a few major acts in town to draw the crowd but using SXSW as a primer for record industry newbie’s is down right insulting. It’s the false hope that kills it for me. Do you know what the promise of free wristbands, industry connections and boundless exposure means to an unknown musician like me?  And you might say, Steph, maybe you just weren’t the sound they were looking for.  But what about every other awesome unsigned musician in the greater Austin area.  Not saying this needs to be an exclusively “Austin” thing, but my whole beef is “major” verses “unsigned”.  But you know, it’s moments like this where I appreciate being the type of person that doesn’t wait for opportunity to slap me in the face. 

I was blessed enough to be apart of the Spicy Evolution Music Festival as well as play an “unofficial” SXSW showcase held at the amazing 11th Street Station. And guess what!?! It only cost me my time and 1 shot of Patron, Lol. I guess I’m still a little naive to the game and my view of how the system is supposed to work is totally skewed, but I still have hope for the future

• • • Sonia =^.^=
    • San Antonio TX
    • Jun 15, 2012 @ 10:45 PM

  • Love it girl. If I had even a 1/3 of your courage to sing I would..but till then I’ll just sing in the shower =) Love your sound. Its so soothing ..LOOOOOOOEE IT!!!

• • • Eddie Nance
    • Moscow, ID
    • Mar 3, 2012 @ 6:13 AM

  • Dope site and awesome music, Steph! Keep following your dreams!

• • • Mishondy Charles
    • Columbia, SC
    • Feb 29, 2012 @ 7:15 AM

  • I came by. You said it was the dopest thing I could do!!! Great job. Keep it up. I’m can’t wait to show momma and Nassio your site and let them hear your music. Take care.

• • • The Bone Ranger
    • Austin, TX
    • Feb 27, 2012 @ 11:52 AM

  • Way to go, love your voice. Keep up the great work.

• • • Lin Walker
    • Columbia, SC
    • Feb 26, 2012 @ 12:37 AM

  • Steph, I am so happy for and proud of you and all that you do! You know you always got me in your corner…a supporter and a friend!

    Love the music and even more Love YOU!

• • • Felicia
    • Feb 25, 2012 @ 1:27 PM

  • Congrats Cuz. I’ll make sure to put the message out. Keep up the good work. I’m proud of you.

• • • Death Kiss Squadron
    • London, UK
    • Dec 5, 2011 @ 1:17 PM

  • Hi There  Great Music on your page! You are very talented!! I am now a fan of your RN  Please check out my musick and become a fan of mine?….. Thanks for the tuneage  #TeamDeathKiss

Feeling like I just did something amazing.  I’m not sure exactly what it is that I did, but I like having the feeling at least.  Guess I’m starting to zero in.  Instead of having a million thoughts and ideas I only have 500,000, lol.  I’m getting there you guys.  I think it’s the ADHD in me that finds it hard to settle but a wise man once said it’s better to be an expert at one thing rather than a jack of all trades.  I agree but that doesn’t mean I can’t change my mind at some point, but not anytime soon.  Music is not only my focus, it’s how I live, how I communicate with the outside world, it’s where I hide from the outside world, it’s me; for today, it’s me.

Just did FOX 7’s Good Day Austin yesterday (6/15/12) and am absolutely over the moon!  I almost feel like going on the show was a right of passage for me since almost all of the best local musicians have been on the show at least twice already.  It felt so natural.  I thought I’d have the jitters and be all pitchy, but my vocals were quite warm for it being 9 am and my only concern was making sure I did a good job promoting my upcoming shows.  I passed with flying colors [insert rainbow]!!  

And the response I received was just overwhelming.  Everyone was so proud and so supportive.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, being a musician is a “thank-less” profession that does not get the respect it always deserves (unless you’re making a ton of money).  There are no cheerleaders, no coaches, just our own motivation to keep doing what we love regardless of the money/recognition.  So it’s nice to get positive feedback from your peers.  Gives that little extra boost we need when our own motivation begins to waiver.  So again, thank you to anyone who’s ever paid money to hear me play, gone to a show, “liked” my Facebook band page, follows me on Twitter, joined my mailing list, or have just had something nice to say about me.  You all are awesome and make me want to be better every single day.  Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart [insert tear].

Four weeks off in the music world seems like forever. Well, I did play and acoustic gig only 1 week ago, but still I’m definitely not going at the same pace as earlier this year (i.e. music video, 2 TV spots and weekly rehearsals). Kind of feels strange to me. Like I could be doing one million things right now (musically), but I’m just kind of at a crossroad. And what do most people do when they’re at a crossroad, they usually stop, think and carry on or they stop, think and think and think some more. I’m pretty sure I’m still thinking. So to anyone wondering, “what happened Steph!?!” nothing, just here thinking. BTW, did I mention I’ve been accused in the past of being an “over thinker”.