Stephanie has a 2020 vision
Hamilton singing star Stephanie Cheape performed to thousands at Stirling’s Hogmanay celebration.
Named as Scotland’s Best Unsigned Act in 2017, the flame-haired fiery singer tore up TRNSMT and the Belladrum Festival last year, and has also supported the likes of rock legend Bryan Ferry.
Over the past 12 months, Stephanie has been on a musical journey, honing a new style and earning further recognition and accolades along the way.
And she ended 2019 on a high by singing in front of thousands of New Year revellers at the iconic Stirling Castle.
She said: “I have been working with my head down most of the year and it’s nice that everything has come together towards the end of 2019. It’s going to be really exciting to be able to share that experience and play music I haven’t been able to play yet.
“I originally started with a rock/ indie type vibe but I wanted to try to home in on some of the artists that inspired me, such as Annie Lennox.
“I connected with the emotion in their music and I wanted to try to bring that into mine – pop but a bit darker and twisted.
“It’s quite a gruelling industry so you have to stick to your guns and not get pushed into something, so I went away, found what I wanted to do and worked at my craft.
“This feels like the start for me and I’m so happy with where I am just now. This has been the year of grafting, so it’s going to be really exciting to start 2020 at Stirling’s Hogmanay.”
Stephanie’s recent release, Cool My Mind, received rave reviews, including being named as Single of the Week by Radio Scotland in September, cementing her status as one of Scotland’s top up-and-coming musical talents.
She said: “Cool My Mind is one of the songs I wrote with my new sound. It’s about being reborn into the industry without blinkers and letting yourself get carried away a bit, as the world can be a difficult place. It’s turned a few heads and the response has been brilliant.”
The track featured on Stephanie’s Hogmanay set-list. She perfformied with backing band Don Wilson (drums), Gary Aird (bass) and Jonny Queen (guitar, piano and synth).
Stephanie, who has been working with Sam Mctrusty and Ross Ncnae from Scottish rockers Twin Atlantic, said: “The thing I love about performing is seeing other people connect with music and disconnecting from what they were thinking about an hour before the show – all their daily problems. I love having that feeling with the crowd, and I don’t hold back, as people need to come with you.”