Stephanie Rainey returns in 2021 with a brand new track, ‘No Cowboy’, taken from an impending EP set for release later in 2021. The young Cork songwriter has already packed a multitude of experience into a short career to date; from seeing her hit ‘Please Don’t Go’ take off internationally as the video went viral, to a deal with Warners and working regularly in the US.
It hasn’t all been plain sailing however, as this thoughtful new track attests. ‘No Cowboy’ reflects on misgivings with the music industry and the road to redemption that follows, as an artist picks herself back up and strives to play the game on her own terms. Produced by Ash Howes (One Direction, Ellie Goulding) and with a music video shot on a packed Hollywood Blvd, ‘No Cowboy’ is the first of four singles planned for 2021.
“Here I am,” Stephanie asserts, “ready and armed with more information and experience than ever before. I wasn’t prepared then but I am now. I’m out the other side of what was a very challenging time, and I wouldn’t change a second of the hurt or hardship given what I’ve learned in the process”
The time is right for someone as resilient and forward-thinking as Stephanie Rainey. One of Ireland’s most-played female artists on radio, she has a combined 30m streams and views across all music on social platforms. With 20m hits across social platforms of the video for Please Don’t Go (as well as a US Billboard 200 charting for the song), she has shared spotlights with the likes of Imelda May, Kodaline, The Waterboys, Tom Walker, Tom Odell, and Donovan.
Stephanie has also played most of Ireland’s primary music festivals, including Indiependence and Electric Picnic, has sold out Irish venues with ease, and is a record breaker (going gold) courtesy of her inclusion in the ensemble Irish Women in Harmony, whose 2020 cover version of The Cranberries’ Dreams has amassed well over 1m Spotify streams.
“My wish for the new songs,” remarks Stephanie, “is they find the ears that need them. If they do that I’ll be happy. All I have to offer the world is my version of my truth. To actually connect with what I’m saying I have to be honest. People will see through me if I don’t, and I’ll see through myself, which is worse.”
‘No Cowboy’ drops on January 29 with a follow-up single, ‘Woman’, due for release on March 12. In a forthcoming TV special that celebrates the 75th birthday of iconic folk/pop singer and songwriter Donovan, Stephanie will perform ‘Catch the Wind’ and ‘Colours’, two of Donovan’s best-known songs. She also contributes three songs (‘Please Don’t Go’, ‘Catch the Wind’, ‘Colours’) to the soundtrack a forthcoming feature film, details of which will be announced shortly.
Live Dates:
Dec 2 – Galway – Roisin Dubh
Dec 3 – Limerick – Dolans
Dec 9 – Dublin – Whelans
Dec 10 – Cork St Lukes
More dates TBA
