Toronto singer-songwriter STACEY will return with her new EP, First Move on September 15th. Drawing influence from the likes of Tame Impala, Lana Del Rey and Washed Out (just to name a few) the follow-up to her well received 2015 self-titled debut EP finds STACEY really coming into her own and expanding on her sound. Instrumentally, listeners can expect to find a much fuller, carefully crafted release while emotionally, STACEY lays it all out on the table for some of her most powerful and vulnerable work to date.
With the EP out soon, STACEY has released a few new songs, including the introspective “It’ll Be Alright,” which can be heard below. Learn more about STACEY here and pick up First Move when it drops on September 15th.
Interview by Dom Vigil
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself for any readers who might not be familiar? What first inspired you to get involved in music?
Hi! I’m a Toronto based artist making sultry nostalgic dream-pop songs, influenced by artists like Stevie Nicks, Tame Impala, Lana Del Rey, Tobias Jesso Jr., Washed Out, Carole King. When I was really young I’d come home from school and watch The Countdown on MuchMusic (Canada’s MTV). I loved the songs and was fascinated by music videos. When my mom offered for me to take piano lessons I said yes and fell deeply in love with piano. The rest is history!
You’re getting ready to release your new EP, First Move in September. What would you like listeners to take away from these songs?
This EP is me laying all my cards on the table. Being “emotional”, particularly as a woman, can be used a a negative descriptor. I refuse to allow that, but rather embrace it with fearlessness. My hope is that, by being honest about my thoughts and experiences, people who have felt the same can feel comforted and connected to these feelings without shame or embarrassment. To be emotional is to be a living human. And I want to live!
In the couple of years following your debut EP, how do you feel you’ve grown as an artist?
I think I found some clarity in terms of who I am as an artist. I have a better sense of what works for me, my taste, my flaws, my goals.
Are there any sonic changes that listeners can expect from First Move?
Definitely. My previous works were mostly ambient piano & vocals. First Move has much more instrumentation and new production elements. It’s still raw but more pop-leaning and fully fleshed out.
Did you have any big goals for this EP, it being the follow-up to your debut?
To be completely candid my primary goals are to secure a booking agent & a publisher. I want to tour and I want to write as much as possible, for my project but also for TV & film, and with other artists.
You’ve already released a couple of songs from the EP, most recently, “It’ll Be Alright.” What inspired the track?
“It’ll Be Alright” was me writing a song of solace to myself. I was going through a hard time and took a spontaneous trip to California. I wrote the song in an AirBnb in Silverlake. It was winter in Toronto at the time so there’s a lot of moments of escapism and embracing the warmth of LA in the song.
What are you most excited for fans to hear on the EP?
Every day that changes. Overall I’m just excited for people to hear it, period. I love the songs differently since they offer nuanced combinations of feelings, but I feel like “Day Dreamin’” is the underdog of the EP. I didn’t lead with it because it’s not a (typical) single in terms of structure or hook, but I think it’s a really cool song & it’s the one I have stuck in my head the most.
With First Move out soon, do you have any other big plans for the rest of the year? Some live shows or tour dates?
I have a release show coming up in Toronto I’m really excited about – September 20th at the Drake Hotel! Then Rockwood Music Hall in New York on the 29th. I’d love to do a full US & Canadian tour, but there’s nothing in the books for that just yet.
Thank you for taking the time to chat with us! Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Thank you so much! I’ll leave you with my favorite reminder: “Every day is a special occasion”.
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