Stephanie Rice Pages Interview

An LGBTQ+ Advocate and Singer/Songwriter

From her start on NBC's The Voice to utilising her voice as an LGBTQ+ advocate, singer/songwriter Stephanie Rice is making her grand return with a new single and powerful story to share. The Texas born, soulful, rock-infused indie pop artist recently released her single "Pages". The single was co-written by herself and legendary pop songwriter Justin Tranter – and produced by her brother Benjamin Rice (Selena Gomez, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, and engineer/co-producer for entire Oscar/Golden Globe/BAFTA winning "A Star Is Born" soundtrack) and Mark Nilan (Lady Gaga, B.o.B., Trey Songz, Kevin Gates, Migos, Sage the Gemini, and soundtrack for "A Star Is Born"). Together with Justin Tranter, who is out and gay, Stephanie wrote this single to express her personal experience growing up as a lesbian and being exiled by the Church. She is utilising this single to ultimately flip the script on negativity surrounding being queer and religious.

Stephanie initially found international acclaim on Season 12 of NBC's The Voice, spending time on both Gwen Stefani and Alicia Keys teams. After making it to the top 11 finalists, Stephanie left the show empowered with validation and encouragement from fans around the world and continued support from her coaches. In sharing her powerful and honest story of resilience through her emotionally compelling performances, Stephanie has become a source of inspiration and hope within and outside of the LGBTQ+ community. Stephanie has since released her single "Let Me Go" in 2018, which was additionally produced by her brother Benjamin Rice. She has performed her highly acclaimed track at events such as GLAAD Live, PRIDE Houston, KRPC/NBC's Houston Life, and the 2018 Global Genes Gala.

After coming out as a lesbian to her parents over 10 years ago, she became estranged, finding herself completely alone and unwanted. She climbed the mountain of misery and successfully made it to the other side of freedom and happiness. She moved to Houston and graduated with honors with a BS in Biology at the University of Houston. She entered the professional medical field where she conducted ground-breaking research involving HIV, later even publishing an article for the Journal of AIDS.

Throughout Stephanie's time as a scientist, she continued aspiring to share through songs her observation of life, love and pain. In 2016, she decided to commit to music full time and released her debut album "Dear Misery" with her former band Colonial Blue. The album received regional praise, including being named one of the 'Top 12 Best Albums' by the Houston Chronicle.

Interview with Stephanie Rice

Question: How would you describe Pages?

Stephanie Rice: Pages is my life in 3 minutes and 40 seconds. I bottled up so many things for a decade or more, and it affected the way I thought and spoke and wrote. And then one day - I decided to face the monster head-on and actually write about it: Write about religious abuse. Write about my fears of going to hell. And, I almost didn't make it through the process. I was a puddle on the ground. But when I was finished - I felt like I had been given a new life. It's my life story, but it's not just full of pain. It's full of strength. It's my own personal anthem.

Question: What was it like working with Benjamin Rice and Justin Tranter on Pages?

Stephanie Rice: Well, Ben is my brother, so that process was as bonding as the blood we share. There's no one I love working with more than him. I trust him with my voice, my songs, my thoughts, and I love his taste and inclination. He is a producer, I am a writer – and I like to think we were destined to make music together.

Justin Tranter is a goddess who possesses magic in his heart, mind and hands. I was lucky that I got to be in the same room as him. I struggled on which song to show him, but after just hanging out and talking for a while, I knew 'Pages' was the one for him. He helped take the song and transform it into what you hear now. Justin is a part of the LGBTQ community, so there was an immediate and intrinsic feeling of safety. I could be vulnerable and share things with him that I don't share with others.

Question: What message do you hope to spread with your music?

Stephanie Rice: I just want to share my story. My experiences. That's all I can do, and I've learned that many of my experiences are shared with others. If I focus on what are mine and what I'm able to share from my point-of-view, then the message is shared naturally. My life is one of going against what you're told you are supposed to do, being who you are told you aren't supposed to be, and THRIVING in it.


Question: Which is your favourite song to perform live and why?

Stephanie Rice: AHHH! If it's an intimate show: 'Pages.' If I'm able to rock out: 'Get Back.' And, if I'm doing a cover: 'Every Breath You Take.'


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Stephanie Rice: There's NOTHING like performing live. I live for that experience. The energy and intimacy is daunting. Every time I get nervous, yet every time my heart explodes in my chest in the best way possible.


Question: If you could have anyone in the world attend a show, who would it be?

Stephanie Rice: Oooh. I'd love to be honest, but I can't be honest on this one… My second choice would actually be that I open for Coldplay, and therefore, they would naturally be in attendance.


Question: What motivates you most when writing music?
Stephanie Rice: The stuff that keeps me from leaving my room for days. I get in my head and heart. I deal with some pretty heavy stuff that tends to keep me down, unable to move forward. I write about it, and am able to figuratively and literally move on. After I write it, I get excited to share it with others.


Question: Which music/artists are you currently listening to?

Stephanie Rice: Billie Eilish, Julia Michaels, Finneas, Wrabel, Halsey, and Imagine Dragons.


Question: What or who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Stephanie Rice: 'Industry' hmmmm, I guess nothing really inspired me to get into the 'industry.' I was just inspired to share music with other people. That has been and will always be my driving force. Seeing someone in the audience connect with what I'm singing just really makes me feel alive and appreciate the human experience that we often take for granted.


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Stephanie Rice:  Wrabel!


Question: What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success?

Stephanie Rice: I guess back to the previous question concerning the 'industry' aspect. I have to say fans and people have always been lovely and supportive – but I struggle when it comes to the 'industry.' Early on in my career, before The Voice, all the sound engineers at the shows were male and there was always this assumption that I didn't know what I was talking about. I would bring my own gear and ask for specific settings, knowing how my voice would be handled in a particular space. I was more often than not ignored – until we started playing, that is. They would struggle with feedback, and would see that I actually knew how to sing. It's sad that I had to prove myself, but that's what I had to do almost every time – be a bad ass so that I would be listened to.
Ever since then, I've played shows where the booking agent books me as part of a line-up… I have a great show with a great crowd reaction, and the agent will really dig it, but once I mention I have a wife or that I'm gay, the demeanor changes and the interest is lessened. Since being on The Voice, I don't have to 'prove' myself so much as a singer. But, I still have to prove myself in session as being a 'true artist,' as the assumption is made that I'm only a singer and not a writer. I'm equally both.


Question: What's a typical day like?

Stephanie Rice: I guess it depends on what day. If it's a studio day, I wake up, choose a word, and write about it for 10 minutes to get the creative juices flowing. I have my breakfast, a tea, do my vocal warmups, go running, and then get ready to go to the studio. At the studio, I'm in my happy place. Sessions are generally 12 hours, maybe a 6-8 on a short day. And, I pour everything I have into them.

Moving to LA has been super intense and challenging, but I love the pressure. Sometimes you're thrown into sessions with producers who will bring in a different writer and you have to get comfortable with them and vibe with essentially a complete stranger on a topic that is super intimate. Writing this right now just makes me smile though, I seriously am loving my life and loving the challenges.


Question: Can you share your socials?

Stephanie Rice: www.facebook.com/stephaniericemusic
@stephaniericemusic
www.twitter.com/stephricemusic
www.youtube.com/stephaniericemusic


Interview by Brooke Hunter