Stephanie's Id — Biography
Asheville's alt-pop rocksters Stephanie's Id have garnered enough acclaim on the east coast to prompt "next big thing" buzz by The Indie. The band's accolades are undoubtedly due in part to their histrionic live show: Stephanie's Id drapes lush, emotional music over an all-star cast of musicians and a 'hyperactive siren' (Go Triad, Greensboro), creating an arena-worthy experience that is as enrapturing as it is buoyantly sacrilegious. The sound embraces intricate melodies, intelligent-playful lyrics and 'impress-your-parents technical sorcery' (Aaron, sound engineer, Knoxville). Stephanie's vocals and stage performance have drawn believable comparisons to Björk, Jim Morrison, Beth Gibbons, and Janis Joplin. Collective influences include 1980's brit-pop music, U2, Bjork, Afghan Whigs, Esther Williams, and Prince.
Originally formed in 2001 around the collected songs of charismatic singer/songwriter Stephanie Morgan and keyboardist/songwriter Chuck Lichtenberger, the 'band' briefly teamed with drummer/producer Vic Stafford, a friend and sought-after player who had studied in Boston at Berklee and played in several national touring bands. The trio recorded some tracks for the album that later became "Spiral In," but various personal affairs prohibited the three from uniting musically again until early 2006. Meanwhile, accomplished vibraphonist/drummer Matthew Richmond was added, lending a stellar and unusual signature sound. The band finished the album, which bypassed the customary "Local Color" spins to be placed in regular rotation with national recording artists by regional AAA station WNCW. The same year, "Spiral In" was named in the Top 100 national releases by WNCW, the Asheville Ballet choreographed "ANNA! A Rock Ballet" to the music (commanding an encore performance), and JANE Magazine (along with Shirley Manson of Garbage) chose the single "Popsicles" for their 2005 compilation. The band toured the east coast U.S. with drummer Cameron Juroff, friend of Richmond's from music school, and released a 'B-sides' EP ("This EP is MONEY") in 2006 with Juroff. "White Guys Selling Cars" from this record won third prize in the Unisong International Song Contest in the social/political category.
In early 2006, Morgan and Lichtenberger, engaged to be married in Iceland, began working again with collaborator Stafford, living in Atlanta. Out of a basement jam session came the unabashed "Unmistakably Love", produced by Stafford. The band released this single on Myspace for download; its popularity garnered an expanded following on Myspace and marked a new direction in writing by Morgan.
The existing touring band amicably parted, with promises to work together in the future. Morgan, Lichtenberger, and Stafford teamed with then-transitioning guitarist Holiday Childress (charismatic frontman of regional theatrical rock band The Goodies) and Rob Geisler (major label player and custom bassmaker), and briefly with Atlanta percussionist Jay Hoots. This lineup premiered in the heat of July, 2006 at Bele Chere (the largest street festival in the Southeastern U.S.), supporting beloved guitar/vocal wonder Martin Sexton. Approximately 3000 screaming fans danced to the new, gigantic sound of Stephanie's Id as clouds gathered and rain drenched the undeterred crowd. The band and audience enthusiastically embraced the Pink Floyd-esque moment. It was an unforgettable night.
Morgan, Lichtenberger, Stafford, Childress, and Geisler played together for the next two days in Asheville, refining the new sound of Stephanie's Id. The band is set to tour, beginning with the Midpoint Music Festival in Cincinnati. They are also in pre-production for their next album. Morgan and Lichtenberger were married near an Icelandic glacier in October of 2006.