INDIE SPOT

Interview with Singer and Songwriter Stephanie Rodriguez

Tinker Talavera

Published on January 25, 2021

How did you come by your stage name?

As a solo artist, I decided to keep things simple and go by my actual name.

When did you discover your love for your craft and what made you realize you wanted to pursue a career in it?

As a singer-songwriter, I started my musical journey by joining a Gospel choir project as a mezzo-soprano. Prior to becoming a member of the project, I played classical piano in school having initiated playing by ear at the age of seven.

During my time in the choir, I was given solo parts to sing as part of my development and in oftentimes whole songs. After a few years of performing in churches locally and abroad, my passion for singing leads me to make the decision to study in the UK to pursue my first combined Bachelor of Arts degree in Music and Italian.

This was when I specialized in Jazz Voice performance. And even took a year out in Italy as part of my combined degree course before graduating in 2005. In 2008 I also undertook both a Postgraduate course and a Master of Arts degree in Jazz Voice.

A chance TV appearance even came along when I was featured as a performer to represent the Jazz department for my college’s 60th-anniversary documentary.

To what or whom do you accredit your sense of style?

My vocal influences both in Jazz and in commercial music are accredited to Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Astrud Gilberto, Dinah Washington, and Jennifer Rush.

On your current project, how did you come up with the concept?

The evolutionary stages of my first EP ‘Crazy Game’ were during a trip to London where I found a new love in writing. In my album, I thought it was essential to introduce different style genres in order to demonstrate my versatility as a vocalist and to show my adaptability and connection to the music.

‘Crazy Game’ is a distinct album influenced by Jazz, Blues, Middle Eastern music, Latin Soul, and Dance music. When I was first starting out with my original material, it was a combined mixture of different ideas. I ended up developing songs that represented different themes.

So the tracks are related to emotional life – events hence why I came up with the idea of calling my EP ‘Crazy Game’ because in essence to me it has been quite an interesting journey putting this album together.

What are some of your greatest challenges, and what is your greatest attribute when it comes to your work ethic?

At the moment I am concentrating on spreading my music wide and far online in the midst of this Pandemic, taking part in blogs, online music magazine interviews across the world which is just a couple of various strategies that I am undertaking. It’s a great challenge although a learning process as I go along.

What are your plans for the near future?

I am currently writing a second EP gathering lots of ideas. I plan to bring a new sound to the table.

How can fans find you?

Potential fans can find me on Spotify, Apple Music and Deezer.

What suggestions do you have for other artist like yourself?

One of the most imperative things I would suggest to other artists like myself is ‘Be who you are and Be true to yourself’.

https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_rodriguez_music/

www.facebook.com/Steph.Rodri1983/

https://deezer.page.link/FtkLi4DKHoZg9vHa6

https://youtube.com/channel/UCO9dAVqN9JXfQFxDHQXHvCg