Stacey Randol

Rich melodies, poetic lyrics and a velvety smooth voice join together to create one thing: beautiful and sunny music. Stacey Randol is a singer-songwriter who grew up listening to The Beatles with her dad and singing in church on Sundays. She also LOVES the beach. Randol takes her love for the beach and combines that with indie-folk melodies and what is produced is something magical. So grab a towel, get your umbrella drink, and watch your worries melt away with Stacey Randol.

Steady Rhythm is the debut album by this Illinois born singer and songwriter. Now thriving in Nashville and creating her own brand of feel good music, Steady Rhythm features lovely tropical touches woven together seamlessly with indie-folk melodies. Drawing inspiration from the Beach Boys, Elvis (and more to be discussed a little later) she included instrumentation from flutes, strings and Saxophones to give the album this “tropical feel”. The use of these instruments also gives this album a multifaceted sound. Merging those with acoustic, electric guitars and drums brings it all home and makes it feel complete and natural. Every song on the album is memorable and catchy. After one listen you will be left feeling enchanted and re-energized. While listening there are a few things to watch out for: toe tapping, swaying, smiling and head bopping are inevitable so don’t say you haven’t been warned.



There are so many elements that come together to make Steady Rhythm an amazing album. One thing that is so wonderful about Randol is she has an uncanny ability to put a fresh spin on tired clichés and make them sound new again. “Battled Feet” is a breezy tune that addresses those problems we girls can sometimes face.

“Ya see my battled feet don’t make me cry.
I’d rather have high heels than an idiot guy.”

Randol’s lyrics are poetic yet still personal and charming. You won’t need a dictionary or degree to enjoy her message. Her vocals are warm and inviting, gentle yet hearty. Reminiscent of Feist meets Colbie Caillat, her voice will sound familiar and reassuring. Steady Rhythm is an eleven- song remedy guaranteed to bring some sunshine in your life. This is only the beginning of big things to come for Randol. I had the pleasure of asking Stacey some questions so we all could get better acquainted with this lovely lady and here is what she had to say.

KC: In your bio on your website you mention “that moment when you realize that all of these pieces you’ve held on to – and at times got lost in – are all a part of a much bigger picture. The pieces to an elaborate puzzle.” Tell us about that moment when the puzzle pieces started forming a picture for you and you realized you were supposed to make music.

SR: The summer before my senior year of college I moved to Nashville to intern for a few months at a music publishing company. At that time I knew I wanted to work in the music industry, but didn’t really know what area I fit best with. Being around songwriters that summer and having to be on the other side of the music making process eventually got under my skin though. And so, my senior year of college was the first time I dabbled with songwriting to see what I could do. After I graduated, I knew I wanted to move back to Nashville because the city has a wonderful energy and it’s just an encouraging place to be. Really I would say that Nashville itself helped to put the puzzle together for me. It gave me experience, confidence, and brought out my passion for music. And now, creating tunes is all I can think about.

KC: Steady Rhythm is such a gorgeous album! Every song on here can be a favorite. What inspired the “tropical” feel that is woven throughout the songs?

SR: Thank you! Oh man, well anyone who knows me at all would tell you that I am a beach lover and belong by the shore. IF only Nashville had an ocean! Tropical sounds have always drawn me in. Besides the Beach Boys and my Elvis “Blue Hawaii” album, I have a few ‘songs of the islands’ records that I play constantly. Beachy music just takes me to a sunny place and makes me feel so good! So I want to reflect that in my music as well.

KC: “Let Life Happen” is such a beautiful song with lyrics we all need to hear from time to time. How did you come to write this song?

SR: “Let Life Happen” felt great to write down on paper. It was during a time where a couple friends of mine were facing hard times. Both in different situations–struggles with careers, social life, marriage etc. But both sort of were lost and worried about what to do next. Then I realized that I also felt this way down deep. I wrote this when I was 24 and I remember really thinking about the meaning of life for the first time at that age. Like really, really thinking hard about what time can do to us. Well I just so happened to be reading my favorite poet, Rainer Maria Rilke’s ‘Letters to a Young Poet’ during this time. And I swear, this book soothes and sets me straight better than most thi - Indie Music Reviewer

It’s a sad fact, but there seems to be shortage of female singer/songwriters in the world. Of course, with the likes of Ingrid Michaelson, Sarah Bareilles, and Regina Spektor earning accolades, many might argue that women have a huge place in the music scene, and these women are strong writers, singers, and performers who deserve their spot in the sun. There are others on the way up, working hard to show they offer unique life experiences, formidable songwriting chops, and prodigious skill with their instruments. In a man’s world, it’s always hard to shine through, but some of these women—specifically Stacey Randol—make it look easy.
It’s not fair to compare Stacey Randol to previously mentioned songwriters, but it will happen. She has relatable lyrics, a smooth sound, and a girl-next-door appearance, all of which could be said about the female artists currently topping the charts. What’s unfair is that Stacey comes out on top in almost every way, and therefore she shouldn’t be grouped in the same category. Neither should she be relegated to the minor leagues.
Let’s break it down a piece at a time to learn why Stacey Randol should (and will) be considered one of the top names in indie music, starting with the lyrics. Women love girl-power songs, and we’re likely to gravitate toward female songwriters who can put what we’re feeling to words and music. Stacey’s no exception, but she offers something a little deeper with her songs. Instead of standing on the soapbox, bemoaning broken hearts, personal struggles, and the pain of first love, Stacey sits on the barstool next to each of us, hands us a piña colada, and asks us to talk back. With gentle humor, shown to perfection in Battled Feet from her debut album, Steady Rhythm, she compares painful shoes to the ache caused by unhealthy relationships. I’d rather have high heels than an idiot guy, she sings, giving life to the shoes that create calluses to shield from the pain. As women, we wear those shoes through the aches and bruises until they become comfortable, even if we know they’re not good for us. She can also be frank and real with us, as shown in Let Life Happen, where she sings It’s raw, it’s real, this disease/Let it grow full within/Develop it. Her take on life, that it’s going to happen whether you’re on board or not, is refreshing. She urges us to let go, accept what happens, and find ways to be happy anyway. Her grasp of metaphors, without the tendency to overuse them to the point no one understands the message, gives Stacey the ability to reach us all.
Her voice—a confection of ethereal and earthy, caramel and salt—never falters. She handles acrobatics deftly, and writes music to showcase this. Never shying from the dreamy, breathless sounds, she then supports them with solid vocals. Steady Rhythm, the title track, is an excellent example of the sheer control she has over her own instrument. She gets light and playful with Wallflower, directing focus to the seriousness of the words when necessary by adding a foundation to the airy vocals, especially in the bluesy bridge. It’s a distinction many musicians are unable to make, but Stacey proves she understands her own words, music, and voice with her technique.
The entirety of Steady Rhythm inspires happy thoughts, even through the darkest of subjects, which is probably something Stacey herself likes to promote. Quick with a smile and a laugh, it’s easy to see she likes to inspire strength and self-confidence in her listeners. She also, frankly, loves the beach, as her tropical-tinged songs will attest. It’s hard not to smile through the pain.
She mixes things up a bit with her latest single, Fragile Forest, without sacrificing her rich, sweet sounds. Leaving the beach behind, this serious tune still features her inimitable writing, as well as strong folk roots, like Joan Baez with a spoonful of honey. She sings, Whisper your secret of trusting spring to come, personifying nature almost as a lover, giving life and breath to the world we’re killing. It’s beautiful poetry, sung with beautiful voice, cementing her spot among female songwriters, even if you haven’t heard of her yet.
You can learn more about Stacey Randol, hear her words and instrument for yourself, by visiting her website. Her songs are also available on her Facebook page and for purchase on iTunes and Amazon. - Awaiting The Flood

“Stacey Randol released her brand new video for her song “Fragile Forest” on January 1st, kicking off 2013 with a treat. The video is simple, yet beautiful (very much like the song itself). Directed by Bo Boswell and filmed at Radnor Lake in Nashville, Tennessee; the video features gorgeous scenic shots of the lake and of course the always stunning Randol. With flowing streams and breezy trees it could almost serve as video for meditating or taking some time to relax…” - Word Krapht

Interview Questions: http://www.americansongwriter.com/2013/02/daily-discovery-stacey-randol-fragile-forest/ - American Songwriter