Stephanie McCourt Hard Living releases the video to her first single. Fresh from headlining the legendary Jazz Café where she played to a sellout crowd including celebrity fan John Michie (Holby City, Coronation Street) and from supporting BBC The Voice finalist Matt Henry at his album launch shows,
“Hard Living” is the first release from the ultra-talented soul singer Stephanie McCourt. Released through Unstoppable Music Group the song describes a lost love that captures her heart before breaking it and leaving her to sing a song of sorrow. Upon release in Ireland the song stormed the iTunes Charts breaking into the Top 5 and peaking at No.4. Produced by EFX and with co-production from Ben “Billionaire Ben” Wynter for Unstoppable music Group, Hard Living is an unmistakably catchy song with its doo wop, soul feel and super hooky chorus.
The catchy guitar riff, accentuated by the rhythmic drums and percussion, topped off with the sad brass in the chorus serve as the perfect back drop for McCourt’s emotive, passionate, heartfelt and soulful vocals to glide across the track; as she explains the way that her lover captured her heart and has now left her making it hard to live without him due to the pain that he has caused. Her vocals are not only full of soul, but also the passion behind what she is saying has the listener fully believing every word from this soulstress, as the pain is more than evident.
The video is produced and directed by newcomer Toby Aldridge of T.A.P Ltd and marks his first foray in to Music videos having previously worked as an editor and first AD on commercials and videos. The 1950’s inspired shoot was styled and dressed by BAFTA award winning costume designer Andrea Galer from The London Film Fashion Centre. The video focuses the lead male who is two timing His girlfriend/wife with Stephanie. Eventually Stephanie breaks free from his grip and leaves followed by his main girl.
Background
An unusual mix of Irish and Zambian Stephanie McCourt’s talents were recognised at a young age by her parents who at age 9 enrolled her to train with the legendary vocal coach Tona De Brett (Vocal coach to Seal, David McAlmont of McAlmont & Butler, Dido, Johnny Rotten and more). Stephanie trained with her for 6 years using her singing as an escape from the bullying she experienced whilst at school. She then headed off to Brighton where she studied at B.I.M.M (Brighton Institute of Modern Music) whose notable graduates include Tom O’Dell and The Kooks.
After an introduction to EFX by a mutual friend the two began making music together. EFX took her material to Ben “Billionaire Ben” Wynter and the pair decided to sign her to Unstoppable Music Group on a production management deal.
With an array of labels now aware of McCourt’s once in a generation vocal talents, she is currently in talks with an array of labels as she aims to attain the success that she targeted as a child.
Her new EP “Stripped Back” is currently available on iTunes, Spotify and all good digital retail outlets.
Listen to all remixes on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/mccourtofficial – https://soundcloud.com/mccourtofficial
Website: www.mccourtofficial.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/mccourtofficial
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YouTube: www.youtube.com/mccourtofficial
By Lauren Bayram
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