Dynamic performer set to launch second EP

MUCH-adored local songstress Steph Bitter is positively jumping out of her skin in the lead up to the launch of her second EP and its debut performance at Handlebar on 1 April.

The highly anticipated Playful Thoughts of a Sentimental Heart is Bitter’s first release in over five years, and she’ll be bringing the whole kit and kaboodle to the showcase gig.

“I’ll be playing with my full band!” she said. “Electric, acoustic, all of the EP songs, songs from my old EP, the whole works. Big sounds.

“I’ll also bring in Trevor Petrie for some harmonies/backing vocals. He’ll be opening up for us because I just adore his music and song writing.

“We’ll have the EP on good old-fashioned CDs at the gig, complete with digital download cards and a gorgeous lyric and art booklet.

Bitter credits a cast of plenty for helping build her career and keep releasing music in an industry that becomes increasingly competitive every year.

“It’s hard to make music, I won’t lie,” she said. “It’s expensive. Gear is expensive, recording is expensive, printing is expensive, even digital release isn’t free. Running live music venues is expensive, fuel to get to gigs is expensive.

“Who even knows how to pitch music to the media or get your songs on radio and Spotify playlists? How do you stand out amongst the billions of other talented and creative artists around the world?

“The music industry changes so fast but I’m grateful I’ve got so many people in my life, people that understand my love and passion for it and just happen to know a thing or two about music. You can’t do this kind of thing alone.”

Catch Steph Bitter perform the full EP and more with her band at Handlebar on Friday, 1 April. Entry is free.