Hello Stephanie, you’ve had a remarkable journey in the music industry. Can you tell us about your early influences and what inspired you to pursue a career in music?
I grew up in a musical family. Both parents play piano and my mother is a gifted poet. There was always music on in the house, and I took piano lessons as a toddler. At age 9, I started guitar lessons and wrote my first song also at age 9.
How have your personal experiences, both joyful and challenging, affected your songwriting and your approach to music in general?
Like most writers, I write what I know most of the time. Sometimes I am influenced by story lines in books, tv, and movies, but most of my music is inspired by my family and the loves – past and present – in my life.
Can you share some personal anecdotes or stories from your life that listeners might find particularly interesting or relatable?
As a mother of two daughters, I have written a number of songs either about my girls or about conversations we have had. They are a constant source of inspiration. On a funny note, one of my more recent songs, which has yet to be released, is entitled “To My Rescue (The Appendicitis Song)”. It was written after a 4-day stay in the hospital for an appendectomy in early spring!
Tell us about your songwriting process. How do you find inspiration and turn it into a song?
Again, my inspiration mostly just comes from events and people in my life. I keep notes on phrases and ideas for songs and then, when I sit down to write, I decide on a theme and generally write music and lyrics at the same time. Most of my songs come together in the space of about 4-5 hours.
‘Retrospective’ is your latest album. What inspired the name, and what can listeners expect from it?
Retrospective is so titled because the album was 30 years in the making. I originally recorded it in 1993 (under a different title) in New York City as my first album, but had no way to release it then without a record label. So a handful of my fans, mostly family and friends, had the chance to listen to it, but it was never accessible to the public. Then, I moved to West Chester (outside of Philadelphia), got married, had two babies, and continued writing. 4 albums later, I realized that the first album was now 30 years old and needed to be released to join the others in my catalog. So, I added some harmonies and a bonus track and had it remastered.
Many artists use their music as a form of self-expression. How has “Retrospective” allowed you to express yourself and your journey?
It has been an interesting journey to watch this old album become new again. I honestly didn’t expect the outpouring of support I’ve had for these 30+-year-old songs, and it is gratifying to know that people can still appreciate them and the youth they represent.
Is there a song that holds special significance for you, and if so, can you tell us why?
I’d say all of the songs on Retrospective have a story and significance, but the song “Hawaiian Eyes” has been a fan favorite ever since I first started performing it at the end of my college years. It is one of the first songs I wrote that really had a “following.” So, I’d say it holds a special place in my heart.
We’d love to hear about any standout moments or challenges you encountered while producing “Retrospective.” Can you share some memorable experiences from the making of the album? There really weren’t any challenges! In fact, it was my easiest so far because the old album already existed and all I had to do was add some harmonies and a bonus track. I will say that it was surreal singing with my 30-year-younger self!
Looking ahead, what’s next on the horizon for Stephanie Phillips? Do you have any future projects or creative endeavors you’d like to share with your fans?
Yes, I am in the early planning stages for the next album, which will hopefully be released in the first quarter of next year.
Lastly, what advice would you give to aspiring musicians looking to follow in your footsteps?
I would just say to keep on going. Being an independent musician is really hard – there are so many things to do, and you just can’t do all of them. But, never stop writing and practicing and performing, because that’s really the only way to call yourself a musician. All of the other stuff is just marketing, and you can always hire someone to do that part.
Check it out and follow Stephanie Phillips on social media to be updated with the new releases. Facebook – Instagram.
