Originally from the United States, Steffany released her debut EP Blue Eyed Girl back in 2019. She has enjoyed numerous successes, winning a National Songwriting Competition with her song I Have A Dream and playing at numerous festivals and shows.
Steffany performed an intimate show at the Isaac Theatre for a small but appreciative audience, performing a mixture of her own material as well as some well-known covers. Opening with the title track from her EP, Steffany belted out the personal and emotive lyrics, accompanying herself on acoustic guitar. Her voice is powerful and unique, a mixture of Alanis Morissette and Jewel. Blue Eyed Girl was followed by another track from her EP, Heart Beats For You, a love song that pulled on the heart strings. A highlight of the show, you could really feel the emotion in Steffany's voice as she sang the chorus.
Steffany then treated us to a cover of Sway by Bic Runga, after sharing with the audience that she had the opportunity to take part in a work shop with the legendary Kiwi musician. This was followed by a new song, Star Crossed Lovers, and a cover of First Cut Is The Deepest.
She then switched things up and moved to the piano, performing a beautiful, heart breaking song about the loss of her father, Am I Too Late, followed by Worthy. She then went back to guitar to perform another new song, Fire With Fire and crowd favourite Good Times, where she encouraged the audience to sing along in the chorus, teaching everybody how it went before getting started. I found myself humming the song well after the show had ended.
Steffany then took a step out from behind her guitar and performed a cover of Alannah Myles' Black Velvet to a backing track. The song was perfect for her and showed off her impressive vocal range. Steffany finished up with a cover of Brave by Sara Bareilles, before finally performing her song I Have A Dream, a catchy, feel good pop song, encouraging the audience to clap along and enjoy the moment with her.
Overall, Steffany's performance was raw and honest. If anything, I would've preferred if she had stuck to playing the music herself rather than singing along to backing tracks at the end, but I appreciated the variety in the show. Her interaction with the audience was wonderful, she was personable and not afraid to open up to the audience and share the meanings behind her songs. She seemed genuinely grateful to have been able to share the night with those that were there.
It is clear that Steffany has a huge passion for music and a talent for writing heart felt songs with catchy melodies. A regular in the Christchurch music scene, Steffany is now working on her next EP. I'll be waiting eagerly to see what comes next for this up and coming songwriter.
Steffany Beck is a New Zealand based singer/ songwriter performing and recording artist, originally from the USA. Steffany is a National songwriting competition winner, commercial jingles composer, original songwriter/performer for an independent film in the USA and has performed at various festivals and on a Carnival Cruise Ship.
Steffany Beck released her self written debut EP Blue Eyed Girl in November 2019. Steffany wrote all her own songs and co produced her own EP alongside Eddie Simon at Acoustic Waves Recording Studio.
Following the highlighted release of her debut EP, comes the next exciting addition to her music repertoire, the official release of her single I Have a Dream. This upbeat feel good song won a national songwriting competition providing funding for the final production, music video and mentoring with New Zealand artists Johnny Barker and Jared Kahi.