Kevin Bronson on June 15th, 2022

0

Stephanie Hatzinikolis authors poignant ballads and buoyant pop-rock anthems, piano-based singer-songwriter fare elevated by warm vocals and melodies.

Born in California, reared largely in Spokane, Wash., and now based in L.A., Hatzinikolis has been working on a new EP at Elliott Smith’s old digs, New Monkey Studio in Van Nuys. It’s been six years since the songwriter’s last EP, “Cold Coffee,” and a decade since her debut album, “This Side Up.”

Her songs, backgrounded by her own battles with depression, trauma and anxiety, have an underlying theme of self-love and self-care. Hatzinikolis has charted her own struggles with sobriety in her Instagram posts, and her new single “So High” strikes a note of optimism.

“‘So High’ was written to dance to and to feel good about the days ahead,” she says. “It’s an adventurous and free-spirited celebration of life after enduring difficult times. Ultimately, it’ll make you want to release stress, cut loose and enjoy the party.”

Produced by Greg “Killah” Cortez, the song finds her backed by guitarist/bassist Nico Barouhas and drummer Alexander Gonzalez. It’s the follow-up to her May single, “Runnin’ to You.” Her EP is set to arrive late this year.

||| Stream: “So High”

||| Also: Watch the video for “Runnin’ to You” and “Love of Mine”