Steph Stewart & the Boyfriends

I’d been stalking UPS for a couple days, and knowing my anticipated delivery was in Chapel Hill, I was on high alert all day Thursday for the big brown truck that would deliver the thousand copies of our debut album. 3pm. They’re here! I couldn’t be more pleased and proud of the final product revealed to me when I split the top open on one of the seven cardboard boxes sitting on my doorstep last Thursday.

The only problem is there just isn’t enough space to properly thank all the people that I’d like to acknowledge for years of inspiration and support. For believing in me when I didn’t even believe in myself. For giving yourself, your time and your talents so that this album would be the best we could make it. You are: My loving husband and truly better half Steven Horton, my parents Kathi & Kevin Stewart (they’re probably the only ones who really know how far I’ve come), Patricia Ferguson & Thomas Ferguson (you always told me to do what makes me happy), JoAnne & Butch Horton, all my brothers: Tommy, Anthony and Jason, Montessori Day School, Molly Mullin (most amazing photographer… making me look good since 2011… beyond generous), Annalee Harkins (truly inspirational creativity in all you do!), all my sweet, sweet, talented boyfriends: Nick (I don’t think we’d have ever gotten here without you. One of the best things to happen to this band in so many ways and a true honor to call my friend), Omar (infinite possibilities & love), Mario (so good I can’t tell when I stop and you begin! seriously, those harmonies are haunting & fish oil!), Emily Thewliss (strength & love), Davis Stillson, Don Raleigh and Tim Stambaugh, Kickstarter backers!, Emily Frantz (your music business school 101), Vimala Rajendran (nourishment!)…. all my old open mic night haunts (Drips (rip), The Cave, Skylight(rip)/Nightlight Exchange and those friends who came to support me there… anyone that has ever given us a place to play our music, sleep or fed us… or helped us rent a van… you have made this possible:

Photo/design: Annalee Harkins, 2013

Dearest friends and family,

You have changed the course of history for four friends who love making music together, and we are simply grateful and in awe over your generosity. Thanks to all 103 of you, we were able to meet our $3,500 goal with 10 days to spare. If our Kickstarter Campaign continues at this rate, we’ll be able to expand our vision to entertain such ambitions like an expanded album package including a booklet, album art…. and who knows, t-shirts?!

Thanks for continuing to help us spread the word. We’ll meet you all at the finish line on May 18th at 2:48pm– to get particular!

Happily yours,

Steph, Mario, Nick & Omar

Hey Y’all!

We had a great time yesterday playing on 88.1 WKNC’s Local Beat show with our friends the SC Broadcasters. We’ll be playing tonight with them again down at Slim’s in Raleigh and look forward to bringing it for all you Raleigh folks. Doors are at 8, we’ll start up at 9. Just $5!

We’re honored to have been selected out of a pool of some really talented folks to play the Carrboro Block Party on Sunday at the Cat’s Cradle. There are 2 stages, one in the parking lot and one inside the venue. We’re playing inside at 6pm and will be joined by: Lost in the Trees, the Love Language, Loamlands (new project of former Midtown Dickens musicians), and Chatham County Line side project, The Jackets. All this is free with a voucher. Keep checking on the ticketing link as a limited number of vouchers may come available today. In addition to this, it’s also Cinco de Mayo AND Carrboro Day! Free fun for everyone!

A huge thanks is certainly in order to the 90 of you who have already committed to support us by helping fund our upcoming album. Because of you, we are only $500 shy of meeting our $3,500. There are still two weeks left of the campaign. You can check out our fun prizes, receive secret backer-exclusive videos and more HERE.

We’ve had a nice couple of days back home after our fun weekend in Asheville and Winston-Salem. Now we’re off again today- this time to Knoxville and Danbury. Tomorrow (4/4) will be my second time performing on WDVX’s prestigious Blue Plate Special and first time with the new Boyfriends. We’re all excited to be involved with the Blue Plate Special and to share in the space where so many of our heroes and heroines have played.

The WDVX Blue Plate Special program was created in 1997, the same year WDVX started broadcasting as a community public radio station from a 14-foot camper studio in Norris, TN. The noontime show included themed broadcasts and occasional live performances from visiting artists. In late summer of 2005, WDVX brought back Knoxville’s rich tradition of mid-day live radio shows by producing the Blue Plate Special in front of a live studio audience from its new home in the Knoxville Visitor Center, located at 301 South Gay Street. Hosted by Red Hickey, the WDVX Blue Plate Special is now a signature event in downtown Knoxville and was recognized as the 2006 Knoxville Area Museum/Attraction of the Year.

Our show will be broadcast over the radio waves around noon (we’ll keep you guys updated), and there will be streaming video and audio online at http://www.wdvx.com/audiovideo/listen-live/ – so please tune in! We’ll be sharing the show with Johnson City, TN band The Rickshaw Roadshow. So invite your friends and come on by if you’re in the Knoxville area! If you’re not, be sure to dial that radio to 89.9 FM or catch the stream on their website.