We had the good fortune of connecting with Stephanie Strange and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stephanie, how do you think about risk?
I’ve always enjoyed taking risks with my lyric-writing. Sometimes the audience gets to see more than we intend for them, and that’s when things get interesting. I use a lot of dark humor, sarcasm, and silliness in my writing, so choosing a setlist can be a risky proposition.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The music I create is inspired by graphic novels, children’s literature, and films. Shel Silverstein, Edward Gorey, Neil Gaiman, and Tim Burton are just some of the sources I draw inspiration from. After the first EP (Pretty Deadly) was released, I wrote a story that was bought to life by Jay Reynolds (@stuffedskullcat) in the form of a mini comic book. The lead track was inspired by the graphic novel of the same name. With this next project, which tells the supernatural story of Stephanie Strange, there will be a full length comic. Musically, it’s take me a while to figure out what I wanted to do. My first band was called Steph Infection and the Heebie Jeebie’s. We were young and talented and crazy and scattered. It was lots of energy going in a hundred different directions. With Strange & the Familiars I was rebuilding my life (which had recently fallen apart) and building a story that mirrored my own, but a fantastical version in the realm of dreams and nightmares. Actually, it all started with three black cats. They showed up in my neighborhood one day when said life was falling apart. Our street was known for strays, but these cats seemed to show up out of nowhere. Their story came to me in bits and pieces. They were Nightmares, guardians of fearful souls and guides. I adopted the youngest, called Nina Nightmare and the music came with her. Stephanie Strange became a stage persona and a character that has the ability to walk through the dreamworld guided by the Nightmares. Insects, animals, ghosts, and trees all talk to her, sharing their stories and warnings for her to pass on to other people. I’ve learned that if I’m going to do my own thing, I have to do it without apology or expectations. I know that not everyone is going to get it, and that some people are going to dig it, but committing is up to me. Stories have helped me better navigate the treacherous waters of my mind, and I hope that the magical world I write and sing about might some day be a buoy for a strange stranger in an ocean full of sharks.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’d hit a different part of town every day and have a new experience at each one! For food we’d hit Shojin for vegan sushi. Every..single…night. I’d bring them to the tar pits and the California Science Center, and of course the Magic Castle and the Museum of Death. We’d go to The Last Bookstore and try to find some underground tunnels, because what else would you do with a best friend? We’d hit the Griffith Observatory and afterwards get Fonuts for dough-less doughnuts. Then we’d burn off the doughnuts on a hike to the Hollywood Sign, cause you just gotta.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Tim Karplus has been a huge support throughout my fits and starts. Working together through the years he’s supported me at all stages and many different aspects of being a musician. My musical journey would have been very different without him. It helps that he’s a super nice guy and a great musician. We’re both separately watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It’s fantastic.

Website: www.strangeandthefamiliars.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/strangeandthefamiliars

Facebook: www.facebook.com/strangeandthefamiliars

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ia0VO78q7pI&list=PL9BFppJkAyYeKSsm7QoyNsWDQpMXUmrJ1

Other: www.bellastrano.com

Image Credits
Mercy McNab, Mathieu Lewis, Rolland Mike Larson, JP Downer, Jay Reynolds, Chris Goldthorpe and Daniel Joseph

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