Stephanie Rogers

Artist Information

Biography

"Stephanie Rogers is at once a deep-rooted soul sister and an ethereal, multi-instrumental songstress whose sound evokes the passion of Tori Amos, the be-bop chill of Rickie Lee Jones, the thoughtfulness of Regina Spektor and the siren of Kate Bush. Her dynamic range and vocal style are welcoming, memorable, and delivered with a top-notch infectious approach that leaves the audience longing to hear and learn more about her."

"From the first few notes sung, it becomes very clear how powerful a vocalist Stephanie Rogers is....(Daisy Petal In The Dirt is) a spectacular showcase of her talents." Heath Andrews, reviewer.

"Rogers, who founded Hipchick Records in 2000, is known for her clever lyrics, quirky humor and soulful melodies. After performing in the alternative rock scene around Chicago in the early 1990s, she moved to Los Angeles to act. She learned how to play guitar, moved back Chicago and started Hipchick Records. After spending 10 years as a full-time mom, she's returning to the music scene with her new album, 'Daisy Petal in the Dirt.'

Daisy Petal In The Dirt "is a strong showing of a very talented singer/songwriter with an ability to craft unique music that never forgoes being listenable..." Lilli Kuzma, Chicago Sun-Times reviewer.

By Stephanie:

I came to music after having cancer. I was an actress living in Los Angeles, doing commercials and small parts in tv and film. Then I had an epiphany while I was enduring a hospital stay. I knew I wanted to sing my stories. I packed up my car, came home to Chicago, and studied music seriously.

I always used music to help build my characters as an actor and even sang in a few bands during and after college. I loved funk and edgy rock, but also artists like Rickie Lee Jones and Aimee Mann, in addition to soul singers like Stevie Wonder and Chaka Khan. I never thought I'd be good enough to actually join a professional band, however it was a dream that became a reality after a life-threatening illness changed my mind about limitations. I sat in that hospital bed and told my friend Andrew: "I am going to sing." And I did.

Now I am a professional musician leading two different bands in Chicago (and singing freelance with other bands). I've produced three cds on my personal label, Hipchick Records, and I play every week around town. My new record is my baby. It took three years to make and was produced in Nashville by the very talented Nelson Hubbard. I love what he did with the songs. I had recorded the whole thing in Chicago and wasn't happy with the sound, so I searched for four months to find Neilson, then re-recorded the whole thing in early 2011. More information about the recording process for "Daisy Petal In The Dirt" can be found on my blog (see link at the bottom of this page).

Instrumentation

Jennifer Lowe - Violin / Vocals
Jim Hines - Vocals, the drums
Bob Lizik - Bass
Tom Sanchez - Guitar
Stephanie Rogers - Vocals, Piano, Acoustic Guitar

Discography

"Daisy Petal In The Dirt" (2011)
"Your New Life" (2004)
"Not To Keep" (2001)

Stephanie Rogers is a spotlight local artist on Chicago's WXRT and is also featured on several streaming stations, including Chicago's WBEZ Public Radio, WDCB Public Radio and Phase Radio: https://www.facebook.com/phaseradio.

Her band has also been featured on several Chicago and national television stations, incluing ABC and WGN.

Official Website

http://www.hipchick.com

Links

• youtube
• Reverbnation
• Facebook
• Soundcloud
• Blog

Audio

• Hand Of A Rebel
  Listen  
• Old Men
  Listen  
• Veil Upon The Mantle
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Hand of a Rebel
• Veil Upon The Mantle
• Old Men

Video

come orion.mov

supergirl.mov

Photo Gallery

Press

• SINGER PRESENTS A STAND OUT ALBUM [+ Show ]
  

  By LILLI KUZMA Contributor September 15, 2011 It was an album she had wished to make, one with mor...By LILLI KUZMA Contributor September 15, 2011
  It was an album she had wished to make, one with more of a folk vibe. She succeeded.
  
  “This is my third record, and is the most folk-oriented,” said Stephanie Rogers, a Chicago resident commenting on her new release, “Daisy Petal in the Dirt” (Hipchick Records). “I was really looking to have beautiful songs, with tonality, soulful elegant playing, excellent musicianship. My prior CDs were more ‘in the groove’ and ‘rocking out.’?”
  
  With “Daisy Petal in the Dirt,” Rogers delivers soaring vocals and well-crafted songs, stellar musicianship and production.
  
  The music is a rich array of character studies in engaging “story songs,” about a range of humanity, such as a teenage girl with health problems; Rogers’ own decision to leave acting; the “perfect” life of a lonely well-to-do woman; “old men in gray jackets paying their rent.”
  
  Facebook blues
  
  Dealing with Facebook, she tells us: “I must have been crazy to drag my past back to life / until that moment I was feeling well-defined / the pages of history we write and improve with passing time / all our memories grow in size like tangled vines.”
  
  An album replete with stand-outs, it also evokes the attitude and “free spirit” of Rogers, a talented woman who laughs easily and often, and who wants to share her love of life with the world. With “Daisy Petal in the Dirt” Rogers steps into a bright spotlight with mature songs of substance and style.
  
  Compared to her prior recordings, she said, “It’s a beautiful record, and I’m very proud of it. So I’m just going to pretend that this is my first record now! I’m not trying to reinvent popular music. I’m trying to follow a through line for my own voice.”
  
  Rogers performs at a CD release event for “Daisy Petal in the Dirt” Sept. 15, at Mayne Stage in Chicago. She will be joined by a full band and special music guests: Bob Lizik, bass; Jim Hines, drums; Tommy Sanchez, electric guitar, and Danny Shaffer, acoustic guitar; Jennifer Lowe, violin; vocalists and back-up singers include Mike Harvey, Cheryl Wilson, Doopy Lupree, Becka Kaufman, Deb Lader, and Ariana Patterson.
  
  She’s got high hopes for the evening. “I envision it like a story, one big huge story, a real mix, but not just a sonic mix, but also with what I’m saying with the music.”
  
  Bruce Roper will perform a solo acoustic opening set. Roper, a founding member of the acclaimed Sons of the Never Wrong, also recently released a well-received debut solo album, “Accidental English” (Waterbug Records).
  
  “Sons of the Never Wrong is my favorite band of all time,” said Rogers, “and I wished I could make a record like Sons, then realized I could call Bruce Roper! He helped me early on in realizing these songs.”
  
  Mix of songs
  
  An accomplished vocalist and singer-songwriter, Rogers is well known for her eclectic repertoire. She’s described her style as “soulful singing and folk-pop-rocking.”
  
  “Growing up I listened to James Taylor, Ricky Lee Jones, and Joni Mitchell,” she said, noting that recently she’s been into vintage Gladys Knight & the Pips, but also listening to newer acts like folk-rock duo Tegan and Sara, and indie folk-pop band, the Weepies.
  
  Formerly an actress who lived and worked in Los Angeles, Rogers acted in about 50 commercials and had roles in a number of movies.
  
  She sometimes jokes about her part in “Prelude To A Kiss.” “It was a small part, and I can be seen standing behind Alec Baldwin. My mom used to make everybody watch this,” she said, laughing.
  
  A serious health problem brought Rogers back to Chicagoland at age 29. She had thyroid cancer and, a week after her surgery, decided to perform at an open mic. It would prove to be a decision that would change her life and career path.
  
  “It was at The Charleston in Bucktown, and that night the place was packed, and I got hooked on singing. My future husband walked in that night. We even named our son ‘Charlie’ after this venue.”
  
  Stephanie Rogers
  Stephanie Rogers CD Release
  Opener is Bruce Roper
  Mayne Stage, 1328 W. Morse Ave., Chicago
  Doors open 6:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15
  $15 general admission; $20 reserved
  (773) 381-4554, or www.maynestage.com
  Updated: September 23, 2011 3:32PM
  

Setlist

Basic Requirements

Calendar