Singing since she was two years old, Halifax-based singer-songwriter Stacie Lynn’s latest single, Mirrors, is available now on all streaming platforms.
All of my songs have a story of something I have gone through or seen, and If I touch the hearts of others who truly feel what I am trying to say, then mission accomplished as an artist.
In this Q&A, we learn more about the artist and the single.
You can find out more about Stacie Lynn and her new single on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Spotify, YouTube Music and Apple Music.
This interview has been edited.
Please introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Stacie Lynn, and I was born in New Brunswick but moved to Nova Scotia when I was three with my family and have been here in Halifax ever since.
I have been singing since I was two years old. My mom has a video of me in a fur coat at two years old singing Love Can Build A Bridge by The Judds, and I have been hooked ever since.
My grandmother, on my mother’s side, was a singer and played the piano. She was on television, often singing with other artists and her children. I got my musical talent from her and my mother. Unfortunately, my grandmother passed away when I was five years old, and I do not remember her, but my mom always says, “if she were here, you would be famous,” and I hang on to the thought, knowing that if she were here, she would be so proud of me.
My parents have been my biggest supporters through the years, spending money for me to go to recording studios, participate in competitions, and get into singing shows in bars when I was underage. They even paid for me to go to Hollywood, California, to represent Canada in a performing arts competition. I brought home gold medals for original songs and had callbacks to come to Capitol Records. Unfortunately, that was not an option financially, but I will forever be blessed by the time, money and energy my parents have put into me and my dream of making it big.
I wrote my first song when I was 14 and have released various songs since then. I currently work full-time to pay the bills, but I focus on music as much as possible.
I recently participated in the first-ever Sackville Idol, with 20+ amazing participants, and I came first. As a result, I had an hour-long show on CIOE 97.5, which was so amazing. I am a country/pop singer, but I also enjoy singing the covers of artists like Bon Jovi. My voice is powerful, and my vocal variety is large.
I got into music when I was 13-14, writing music because I was bullied so badly growing up. I didn’t wear the right clothes; I didn’t have the right hairstyle, I stood taller and was bigger than everyone else, and I wasn’t popular, whatever popular is. So I kept to myself and cried to sleep, hating the thought of going back to school the next day, but I kept my head up, took all my hurt, and turned it into words. Now I’m 32, standing 6’2″ with the voice of a lion. I am proud of the girl I have managed to turn out to be, considering it was a rough childhood. I will continue to sing as loud as I can because I know deep down that someday I will be in the right place at the right time, & I will get my big break; regardless of my size or my looks, it’s what’s inside that matters, and that will forever keep me going.
How do you describe your new single, Mirrors? What was the inspiration for the song?
As I mentioned, I was bullied so badly, but at a young age, I knew that just being who I was, was beautiful. I knew I did not have to change who I was to please anyone. I knew loving who I was, was all I needed to be happy. I didn’t want to change anything about who Stacie Lynn was. I enjoy my beauty. Many young girls, teenage girls, young adult females and even older women all compare who they are to other females they see. They feel the need to change everything about who they are, how they dress or how they wear their hair to fit in with the stigma of what society makes you think “beauty” is. The truth is beauty is who you are; beauty is what is inside you. If I had to explain what Mirrors is about, I’d end it with this, “break the stigma, smash the mirrors, love yourself & baby you’ll go far.”
Who are your musical influences?
Aside from my grandmother, I do not have any one music influencer. I am an artist who truly loves the music of songs. I feel the beat of every song. I emotionally connect with the lyrics and genuinely appreciate other artists’ stories.
Picture this, I am driving down the road with my phone on shuffle listening to Carrie Underwood, and a few minutes later, I am blasting Eminem and, after that, a little bit of Ozzy Osbourne. The variety will never end. Every artist has a story, and as an artist myself, I can appreciate and love what they are trying to say. What they feel, I feel. What they say, I understand.
All of my songs have a story of something I have gone through or seen, and If I touch the hearts of others who truly feel what I am trying to say, then mission accomplished as an artist.
You’ve been singing since you were two years old. What keeps you going?
I hit a rut for a short moment in my 30 years of singing because it’s such a hard business, and I became so tired of hearing, “I am not fit” for what people were looking for. So many times, I have been told, “I don’t have the look.”
A local morning show that has supported local artists for years was looking for artists to come and sing on their show, so I submitted as I faithfully watched their show every morning. I will never forget the response I received, which is not even worth my time sharing, but let me tell you this, someday, when I make it big, I will never go on that show, regardless if they wanted to do a show on me, they had their chance.
As of right now, what keeps me going is the constant love and support I receive from those around me. My partner has recently pushed me to get back into music because it makes me happy. My coworkers, who support me not only at work but outside of work as well, and of course, my friends, who are always cheering me on.
When I participated in Sackville Idol, I made some great friends, including Michelle Ryder, a local artist. She saw something in me that she saw in herself back when she was my age and encouraged me to keep pushing. I truly believe it takes a community to help you get your name out there, and their support will always keep me going.
What’s been the highlight of your career so far?
So many highlights I don’t even think I can name just one. First time I stepped into a recording studio when I was 14 years old. The time I went to Hollywood, California and represented Canada in a performing arts competition. When I did “So You Think You Can Sing” at the Rodeo Lounge. When I made it to the second set of judges on Canadian Idol. When I did Canada’s Got Talent. The Canadian songwriting awards I have received over the years. The 1-hour show about me on CIOE 97.5. All the talent shows I have participated in locally, I could go on.
I am truly grateful for every single experience I have gone through & am looking forward to many more in the upcoming years.
What’s next for Stacie Lynn?
I plan on getting my name out there, and I have made a goal to release 5-10 new songs this year, with Mirrors being the first. After that, I hope to branch out, do shows as a solo artist, and grow my audience. Let’s start with Mirrors. The possibilities are endless.
You can find out more about Stacie Lynn and her new single on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Spotify, YouTube Music and Apple Music.