Hers is the story of a talented woman with a sophisticated voice in search of that one big break.
For more than three years, Hoboken resident Stacie Rose has been performing like a gypsy troubadour, travelling the singer/songwriter circuit all over the tri-state area. And with the direction she is taking, it seems like a matter of time before Rose becomes a local household name.
Rose has performed at such places like the Luna Lounge, the Bitter End, and the Lion's Den in New York City, and Maxwell's in Hoboken. She blends music genres like jazz, rock, folk, and pop to create daring rifts and peaceful ballads.
Rose recently released a five-song compilation produced, recorded and mixed by well-known industry producer Robert L. Smith. The self-titled album is her debut solo record. Rose had already released songs on a previous CD with her old group, "The Stacie Rose Band."
"The new record is a direct representation of me," said Rose recently. For the songs, she said, "Sometimes I come up with ideas in the middle of the night, sometimes while riding a train [or] peering through a window."
One of the songs, "Shine," is about self-acceptance, according to the singer. It showcases Rose's eloquent, soft and strong voice, with terrific poignant lyrics. She can play loud, low or at any tempo, which is evident in her music.
"It's about how you can feel so inadequate, so strange sometimes, so removed from the rest of society," she said.
Songs like the catchy "When You Turn," and "Mine," help illustrate her versatility.
And the tragic song of melancholy, "Your Girl," to be released in her upcoming album, is as simple as it gets. The song takes the listener through a journey of a woman who just wants to love her man.
"The fact is, there is nothing more innate than just loving another person and nothing more precious than innocence," Rose said regarding the song. "What if life were so easy that all I would have to do is be your girl, and that would be enough?"
Rose is definitely a performer on the rise. In December she played at Arlene Grocery in Manhattan's Lower East Side on Stanton Street. There, in front of a crowd of more than 70 and with the help of a full band, Rose rocked the house. Reminiscent of Sheryl Crow, she was hip, fun and charismatic on the club's small intimate stage. Deserving of a larger arena to play, Rose seemed like a bright light hidden in an obscure place while she played at the underground venue.
"Performing is everything. It's the very essence of who I am. It's why I can speak the softest, the loudest, the clearest and with the most honestly," she said.
When Rose plays at smaller venues, she leaves the band behind and simply carries a tune with her enigmatic voice and an acoustic guitar.
"The band is a group of very accomplished players. Certain rooms call for certain audiences and are more conducive to certain musical situations," she said. "It's great to play with a full band. It's like being all made up with lots of accessories on."
Not far away
Rose grew up in the Garden State's suburban town of Woodcliff Lake. Despite being a Jersey girl, Rose admits that she felt a sincere connection to New York City.
"Growing up in Woodcliff Lake was sheltering for me, but very fortunate in retrospect," Rose said. "There were big yards to play in, woods to get lost in, and trees to climb. It was great to be a kid in suburbia."
At a young age, her parents encouraged her musical interests, and eventually she found herself attending school during the day and performing for friends and strangers at local coffeehouses in New York. For half a decade, she has worked hard to build a following.
Despite being virtually unknown in the pop world, true indie fans have heard of her.
Every day she works at writing songs, self-promotion, rehearsals and performances.
Success for Rose is "doing what really makes you happy and doing it well. Feeling pride and contentment with your place in the world," she said.
In the spring, Rose is scheduled to release a full-length 10-track album featuring new recordings. She has auditioned for major record labels and according to her spokeswoman, a few labels in New York City have been paying attention to her music.
Music lovers can catch Rose at the Goldhawk (formerly the Liquid Lounge) on 936 Park Ave. in Hoboken on Jan 31. The show starts at 9 p.m. The venue's telephone number is (201) 420-7989.
On Feb. 7, Rose will perform at The Village Underground on 130 West 3rd St. in New York City at 10 p.m.
For more information on Rose, call (201) 842-8555 or visit her on the web at www.stacierosemusic.com. q
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