THE ARTIST

For many recording artists, the process of cranking up the writing machine to begin a new record can be a daunting task. But not for rising singer/songwriter Stacie Rose.

After her 2005 release of Shadow & Splendor earned unanimous raves, (songs were featured on FX’s The Riches, MTV’S The Hills and an ESCADA Sunset Heat episode) the Jersey born Rose was ready to rock when her muse came calling again.

“I won’t pick up a guitar or mutter a word of melody for months. Then I’ll go through a spell where I can’t tear myself away from the guitar or mini recorder. This time, I got a lot of ideas on the fly, so I’d be calling my answering machine and singing ideas into it. Yes, it’s true; I’m that crazy person on the street singing into her cell phone! Once the songs begin to come, they start a flood. Especially, with this batch. That’s how much of the album came to be.

The end result, Shotgun Daisy (May 2008--Enchanted Records) is a collection of songs with lush vocals, hook-laden melodies and engaging lyrics. It is clearly her most personal and direct recording yet. The title is a nickname given to Rose and refers to her all or nothing, mile a minute approach to life.

This time, Shotgun Daisy had a new mantra. “I knew I needed to take a deep breath on this one, to come at it a bit differently. With time being so precious, I wanted to manage it properly. The crew all had binders with lyrics and notes. That way during the recordings everyone could literally be on the same page. It sounds a bit geeky but it really kept things together.

“I live and write in Jersey, bustle between there and NYC, and the bulk of the recording ping ponged between Chinatown and the Bronx. The insanity of my schedule forced me to try to slow down and think things through a bit more. I believe the record reflects that. Naturally, there were inevitable moments of circus-like chaos, too. Perhaps that is represented on the record too.”

THE SONGS

If you’ve heard Stacie Rose before, you know she’s a bit of a chameleon. She can write and sing just about anything--ebullient pop, country tinged rock n’ roll and the lush, torchy, numbers as well. Nothing is off limits.

“I hate to limit myself. The artists I admire most don’t try to fit the mold. I create music as I hear it in my head and that includes vocal and instrumental riffs alike. I joked around a lot during the recording about all the voices in my head…." This batch of songs certainly reflects the period in her life during which they were written.

“I was going through some messy stuff personally and the writing was hard and sometimes stressful but it proved to be quite therapeutic. The good news? As the process continued, the songs got brighter and so did my outlook.”

In Hope Rose is trying desperately to see through a loss of faith. Its silky smooth pop belies the singer’s anguish and by the end you can’t help but feel that she’s going to will her way to that better place she imagines.

Run Out is her “burned by love country duet”. It jumps off the disc when Rose is joined by Shawn Mullins. Rose is ecstatic about working with one of her favorite artists and about how the future hit came to be.

Find Your Way, a rocker about the lessons of trying to help someone who isn’t ready to be helped, also sees the light at the end of the tunnel. Even if the singer admits she had to cut someone loose for a while.

Worry Free, is very close to Rose’s heart. At more than six minutes, it could be the centerpiece of the record. The word to describe this sound is hypnotic. Like a lot of Rose’s songs, the intimacy of her words and voice are almost overwhelming. She says,” It’s about how I used to be and how I try to be now-Worry Free.”

THE GRAND COLLABORATION

With a the stellar cast of musicians on Shotgun Daisy it’s no wonder many have called her a true, musician’s musician.

The record includes performances by Gerry Leonard (David Bowie, Rufus Wainwright), Jack Petruzelli (Joan Osborn, Rufus Wainwright), Shawn Pelton, Shawn Mullins (Lullaby--Vanguard Records), Steve Conte (New York Dolls), Lucy Woodward (Dumb Girls--Atlantic Records), James Maestro (Ian Hunter, Patti Smith), David Patterson (Shawn Mullins, Indigo Girls),
Jeff Allen, one of the producers, and bass player (Avril Lavigne, Dunkan Sheik, Roseanne Cash, Marc Cohn), Robert Smith, also a producer of the record (David Bowie and Rickie Lee Jones).

“Working with co-producers Jeff Allen and Robert L. Smith was a dream. We had some good fun and it was great to have a team! I love the fact that we were all trying to make the same songs speak and have a life. True collaboration allows each song to really grow up and find its space and emotion. I revel in the process. It’s what I love most about making music”.

So Stacie Rose, Jersey girl—Shotgun Daisy is back and better than ever. The irresistible melodies, the mile-wide hooks, the revealing lyrics, dark comedy mentality, and that all enveloping voice. They’re all in tact and they all add up to a self-portrait of an artist who’s truly come of age.