Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Stefani Scovolo is a unique albeit unsigned artist with a versatile sound, an interesting beginning, strong beliefs and a new direction. Recently, your crusty chronicler sat down to chat with Scovolo to discover just what this up-and-comer was all about. Here is the complete interview:
Phoenix: Thank you for joining me. Thank you for sharing with my readers. For the benefit of some of my readers tell us about what you play, your music genre and how you yourself got started in the music, business, okay?
Scovolo: Well, I am from Houston, Texas and went to college at Belmont University in Nashville Tennessee. I am a songwriter and recording artist. I have written for another artist in Japan on Warner Music and love to write with great songwriters. I am also featuring as a vocalist and wrote songs with some top DJ/producers but my heart and soul is in my solo project which I am working on now. I am going to really show a more emotional side of me that tells more of who I am.
Phoenix: When we first sat down and talked you hesitated to share your earlier music with me because it was “a different vibe” I think you said. Why? Is it an image thing? Are you reinventing yourself or do you just look back on it and say: WHY did I do that? Enlighten me.
Scovolo: Well my first CD was more of a collection of songs and it was a different phase for me, more of a teen pop sound; however, there were other songs that were deeper on that project. This current solo project I am working on will show my evolution into a woman and will be deeper in general. It also takes me back to some of my roots and has a simpler, more stripped down vibe in general.
Phoenix: What do you think is your best so far and why?
Scovolo: Wow, my best song....hard to say. People seem to bop their head and enjoy my super pop songs like “Spotlight.” Although, I have songs that are very close to me that may not be super hits but that I feel that they tell who I am personally.
That is what I am trying to do now....I am trying to bring out more of who I am in everything I do but in my solo project, it will be more evident because that is my own project. It is hard sometimes when you are writing for a specific direction but all in all, I want to put a piece of myself into everything I do so it remains special in some way, even if it is for another artist or for a dance hit. “You Make My Day” is a song that everyone gravitates to for its feel good sing song quality but then there is also my song, “I Remember” that is very touching everyone says.
It is one of my favorite songs because it is about my grandma. I have a real nostalgic nature and memories are very precious to me. I have not been able to really record my own solo project until now and I am on my way doing it but backing it up financially all myself. There are many producers who want to work with me on it so now it is just deciding and checking out finances. I am not signed to a label or manager just yet.
Phoenix: What do you like best about being a solo artist and what do you like the least?
Scovolo: I like that as a solo artist, I can write songs that speak of who I am, what I believe, and what inspires me. It is a very hard road sometimes because you have to keep faith.
Phoenix: Who inspires you?
Scovolo: Really my main inspiration is God and reading the Bible. My family also supports me but there is nothing compared to the silence and still moments that come when I am still before God. I don’t have to be anything, say anything, prove anything in those moments.
Phoenix: Tell me something you’ve never told anyone else but have wanted to get off your chest. I don’t mean about anything promotional I mean about you as an artist or even as a person.
Scovolo: Ha....it can be a little negative?
Phoenix: Of course! Anything you want!
Scovolo:That’s just it....always holding back. I am tired of that really. Trying to please or impress this one or that one in the music industry is really tiring. I am trying to let go of that more and more if I can. I just wanna be real. I just want people to see me for who I really am and I do not ever want to be thought of as an @ss kisser or a fake. (Smiling) I say that diplomatically but honestly.
Phoenix: More and more I see indie artists producing their own CDs, going digital and not shopping themselves around to major labels. I also see a trend for new musicians to immediately market their music to TV, films and even commercials before they are even signed to a record label. I mean nowadays when I see Yoko Ono and company selling out John Lennon’s music I just figure: he’s dead—what can he do?
But more and more I see new artists going into that kind of market almost immediately. Am I just getting old or what? As someone out there right now I’d like to hear your point of view on marketing one’s music before getting onto a label and doing the digital thing.
Scovolo: Good question...ha I have not figured all of that out either. I do have an account set up with Tunecore but I am definitely not a marketing genius. I feel that I need a manager, a team who can work with me. Doing everything on your own is pretty hard.
Phoenix: OK. Tell my readers about what’s next for you and anything you’d like to put the word out about now.
Scovolo: My solo project really means a lot to me. The songs are basically all written but I may end up writing a couple more. I hope that it will show a part of me that is deeper and more emotional. The songs all have the same commercial quality but they definitely will be simple and clean.
I am basically funding this myself and I really want it to be special and to have a “bigger picture” plan for the record. I have set up a profile on Kickstarter and am trying to get the word out so people can join me as a sponsor for my project. There are offers, prizes for any donation of $10 or more.
I am not a real solicitor so it is hard for me to ask for money. I do want to always seem genuine and it would mean a lot if you guys help me spread the word. I have been around as a songwriter for a while and many think it is time that I record my own solo project so now I am doing it.
I just want to say something and make not only my family but myself proud of my work. I do have in mind plans for this record such as film and TV licensing, ad placements, and maybe partnering with an organization as an artist to cross promote. So much is done through branding and media these days and it is a big part of how artists are becoming discovered.
I do not want to be another artist that is here today and gone tomorrow with a superficial message. I hope to be timeless and to really move people. That is why I am taking my time with this project.
I have in mind to also do more videos for more of my songs so I will be looking for people to work with me on that as well. I kept my goal for funding on this site low $2,000 which is not going to cover even a fourth of the project so all in all, people can go over the goal and still pledge above the goal.
It will accept the pledges. I just wanted to shoot for a lower goal because Kickstarter will not reward me with the funding unless I meet the goal. (Smiling) My Kickstarter campaign site is http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/stefaniscovolo/join-me-in-completing-my-first-solo-project-cd OR easier and shorter link is http://kck.st/nbi9nS
Phoenix: Before you go, didn’t I see some other activity on your website? Is there something else you may have forgotten to share with my readers?
Scovolo: Oh! I started this songwriter round to cure my homesickness for Nashville. I missed the simple songwriter acoustic nights there with really top talented songwriters so my night has the same . . . hit songwriters with great up and comers like me. Next one is actually September 12th Monday at O’Brien’s Pub 2041 Main St Santa Monica FREE cover at 8pm!
Phoenix: Thanks. I enjoyed chatting with you.
So there you have it, folks! No doubt her fans are looking forward to her next project. Here’s hoping she plays to an SRO crowd! As always,
My name is Phoenix and . . . that’s the bottom line.
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