Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Stephanie Poetri continues her musical evolution with the release of her new single, “Invited,” out today via Infinite Thrills/88Rising. “Invited” follows Stephanie’s most recent single “Astrologically Illogical,” as well as a U.S. tour supporting Lyn Lapid, which saw Poetri winning over packed rooms across the country. While her music has been known for its soft, ethereal qualities, these new songs showcase her continued growth as a songwriter and see Poetri embracing the power of her voice with a bolder and edgier sound inspired by the indie rock she grew up with. “There weren’t a lot of female artists in that world back then,” says Poetri, “so I see myself wanting to fulfill that position, and make songs that have a little bit of edge. I want to put some more femininity into indie rock.”
Growing up in Indonesia with a former trombonist and marching band instructor for a father, and a pop star for a mother it was the tropical house of Kygo and the melodies of K-pop that cemented Stephanie’s early interest in music. Her initial intention was to be a tropical house producer, but after discovering and being inspired by K-Pop, Poetri started to take up songwriting. In the middle of her very first producing class, Poetri started releasing songs just for fun, the second release being her 2019 viral hit, “I Love You 3000,” reaching over 365 million streams to date, including 156 million views on the DIY video she and her sister made to accompany it, and a remix version, “I Love You 3000 II,” featuring Jackson Wang. Poetri did not end up finishing the producing class and has been writing and releasing music ever since.
Although her sound continues to evolve, a quality that continues to be ever-present in Poetri’s writing is her authenticity and sensibilities toward sharing relatable experiences with fans. “Invited” is an honest examination of ego and the need for inclusion and is inspired by the yearning to be invited to the party, while knowing you have no desire to attend.
“Invited” and “Astrologically Illogical” follow the release of Poetri’s collaborative tracks, “No Explanations” (with Elephante and ZHANG YANQI)” and “Breakfast in Bed” (with gnash).” Next up, Poetri will be performing at Head in the Clouds Festival in Los Angeles, CA taking place August 5th and 6th.