We recently connected with Stephanie Joan and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Stephanie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

SOONER!!! Without question, I wish I’d started earlier.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to both writing and singing. I filled notebooks with poetry and lyrics from a young age, joined choirs, and performed here and there throughout my childhood. But somehow, I never connected those two passions until my late twenties.

The catalyst came from the most unexpected place—a Wii karaoke game. I was playing American Idol with friends one night, just having fun, when one of them stopped the game after my song. He was a theater actor who’d toured Europe in a boy band during his teens, so when he asked, “Why don’t you sing more?” I listened.

He suggested we record a cover together. It sounded like a fun one-off project, so we practiced and booked time at a recording studio. I had the TIME OF MY LIFE—but still assumed it was just that: a one-time thing.

Then the producer reached out.

“When are you coming back in?” he asked. We started talking, and I opened up about my writing. That’s when everything changed. His name is Trevor Price, and if I had to credit one person with launching my singing career, it would be him. He took my words and helped me transform them into songs. More than that, he listens—really listens—to what I want to say, then helps me convey it in ways I never imagined possible. He pushes me beyond what I think my limits are and makes me feel genuinely believed in. That’s why I keep going to record.

Looking back, I wish I’d started sooner simply for the gift of more time—more years to sing, share my songs, and connect with listeners. I learn and grow with every song, every performance, every year. Sometimes I wonder: where would I be now if I’d started in my teens? How many more stories would I have told? How much further along would I be in my craft?

But then again, maybe the timing was exactly right. Maybe I needed those years to gather the stories I now have to tell.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m a singer-songwriter based in Salt Lake City, Utah, and my music is born from the raw, real moments of life—both my own experiences and those of the people closest to me.

What drives my music:

At its core, my songwriting is about connection. I write to touch hearts, to bring emotions to the surface that maybe we’ve been holding back, to create those moments where you find yourself nodding along thinking, “Yes, exactly.”

We all carry stories—some beautiful, some painful, some we think no one else could possibly understand. But here’s what I’ve learned: we’re rarely as alone in our experiences as we think we are. When I share what’s deep within me through song, I’m hoping someone out there finds a piece of themselves in it. Maybe they’ll realize they’re not the “only one” dealing with heartbreak, or self-doubt, or that complicated relationship with a parent, or the bittersweet ache of growing up.

I want my music to induce smiles, tears, laughs, and full hearts—sometimes all in the same song.

My sound:

My original music lives primarily in the Country space, but I love infusing it with pop sensibilities and rock edge. That said, I’m a singer at heart who loves everything. Give me a great song in any genre and I’m happy. My versatility is something I’m proud of—I never want to be boxed in by what I “should” sound like.

What sets me apart:

Authenticity. Every song I write comes from a real place. I’m not interested in chasing trends or writing what I think people want to hear. I write what needs to come out, what keeps me up at night, what makes me feel alive. And I think listeners can feel that honesty.

I’m also incredibly fortunate to have friends and family who truly understand my love for what I do and help me push beyond my perceived limitations. That—having someone who believes in me and challenges me—has been transformative.

What I’m most proud of:

Taking the leap. For years, I kept my writing and singing separate, never imagining they could become something more. I’m proud that I said yes to that first recording session, that I keep showing up. I continue to share pieces of my heart through my music despite the vulnerability that requires.

The dream:

If I could dedicate all my time to writing and recording, I absolutely would. Right now, I balance my music with other responsibilities, which means I can’t create as often as I’d like. But every song I do release carries the weight of that longing—the desire to do this more, to share more, to connect more deeply with listeners who might need to hear exactly what I have to say.

For potential fans:

If you’re looking for music that feels like a conversation with a friend who really gets it—the messy, beautiful, complicated reality of being human—I’d love for you to give my songs a listen. I promise to always show up authentically, to keep writing from the heart, and to create music that honors both my story and yours.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

When I think about resilience in my journey, I’m immediately taken to some of the darker chapters of my life—and that’s okay. Actually, it’s more than okay, because those experiences shaped who I am today, both as a person and as an artist.

I don’t want to paint my life as one defined by darkness, because that wouldn’t be the full picture. I’m surrounded by incredibly amazing and beautiful people who fill my heart with love and create glorious memories every single day. But I’d be lying if I said there haven’t been agonizing, deeply painful times woven throughout my story as well.

Here’s where my resilience shows:

It’s in my life and the music itself. Every song I write that transforms pain into something beautiful is an act of resilience. Every time I step into the recording studio after a hard season, I’m choosing to keep going. Every performance where I stand on stage and wear my heart on my sleeve—vulnerable, exposed, but still singing—that’s resilience in action.

The fact that I’m still here, still creating, still laughing, still loving, still willing to share the rawest parts of myself through my music—that’s the story of resilience.

I’ve learned that resilience isn’t about pretending the hard things didn’t happen or putting on a brave face and moving on. It’s about acknowledging the weight of what you’ve carried, honoring the pain, and then choosing to transform it into something that might help someone else feel less alone. It’s about saying, “Yes, this hurt. Yes, it changed me. And yes, I’m going to keep singing anyway.”

There is a gift in the struggle.

Those painful experiences gave me depth as a songwriter that I wouldn’t have otherwise. They taught me empathy. They showed me what truly matters. And they gave me stories worth telling—stories that resonate because they’re real, because they’re earned, because they come from a place of genuine understanding.

So when someone tells me a song of mine helped them through a difficult time, or that they felt seen by my lyrics, I know that my resilience wasn’t just for me. It became something I could offer to others who are fighting their own battles.

That’s what keeps me going. That’s what makes every difficult moment worth it.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

On a broad level, society can best support artists and creatives by recognizing that art isn’t a luxury—it’s essential to our humanity. We need to value creative work as real work that deserves fair compensation and respect. This means paying artists for their craft, understanding that “exposure” doesn’t pay bills, and creating systems that allow creatives to sustain themselves while doing what they love.

We also need to normalize supporting independent artists directly. Stream their music. Buy their merchandise. Attend their shows. Leave reviews. Every small action compounds into something that can genuinely change an artist’s trajectory.

But here’s what YOU can do right now to support me and artists like me:

**SHARE!!!! **

Seriously, sharing is one of the most powerful tools you have. When you share my music with friends and family, post it on social media, tag me in your stories, or send a song to someone who needs to hear it—you’re amplifying my reach in ways I can’t do alone. Algorithms are tough, but genuine word-of-mouth recommendations from people who love the music? That’s gold.

Here are specific ways you can support:

-Follow me on streaming platforms and social media—it helps more than you might think
-Message me and tell me your thoughts on a song. What resonated? What made you feel something? I read every message and they fuel my creativity
-Give me ideas for songs. Your stories, your experiences, your suggestions—they inspire me
-Invite me to sing at events. Weddings, parties, community gatherings—I love performing live and connecting with audiences in person
-Engage with my content. Comment, like, share. It tells the algorithms that my work matters and helps new listeners discover my music

I love, love, love my supporters, and I genuinely want to create more of what YOU love, what resonates with YOU. This is a two-way relationship. Your feedback shapes my artistry. Your support makes it possible for me to keep creating. Your enthusiasm reminds me why I do this in the first place.

Independent artists thrive on community, not just consumption. When you actively participate in an artist’s journey—when you share, engage, and show up—you become part of something bigger than a transaction. You become part of the creative ecosystem that allows artists to keep making the music that moves you.

So please, share. Connect. Engage. Let’s build together.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @inktears_stephanie
• Facebook: Ink Tears
• Youtube: @stephaniejoandana
• Other: TikTok: @stephanie.dana.mu

  And my music is on all streaming platforms under Stephanie Joan

Image Credits

Copper Sun Media