Stephanie Hatzinikolis

Soulful and passionate, Stephanie Hatzinikolis caresses the keys on her keyboard. Her fingers flutter and dance across the black-and-white instrument and her voice, almost with a sense of urgency, fills the room.

Her songs are intimate and relevant. “I like to write what I’ve experienced and I aim to relate to as many people as possible. I tend to write about deep emotions and feelings, mostly things that will make others reflect on their own thoughts,” she said. “I’m always writing, never fully satisfied and always open for inspiration. Like any artist, I have no limits or boundaries. My gift is music and I intend on touching as many hearts as I can.”

Hatzinikolis, 22, has been playing the piano most of her life. She remembers writing her first composition when she was 4 or 5, playing it over and over again. Born in California, Hatzinikolis’ family moved a lot and she attended at least eight schools in different cities and states.

They settled in Spokane in 2001; she attended Mead High School and began writing words to accompany the melodies in her head. She graduated in 2005 and then went on to Spokane Falls Community College, earning an associate arts degree with studies in music theory, jazz and classical. “Discipline leads to freedom,” she said, “You study hard and learn one thing and then you are free to use that knowledge. Then you learn something else and so on. It’s an ongoing ladder.”

Hatzinikolis works at a Papa Murphy’s on the North Side. A co-worker, Sam Wilkinson, heard her play and decided to act as her manager, finding her gigs and helping her cut a sample CD. For the past few months she has been playing regularly at area establishments and has over a dozen performances lined up from now into November.

Though Hatzinikolis enjoys all genres of music, her style falls into the category of indie folk. Her songs often tell stories and include instrumentals. In her song “We Will All Fall,” she expresses her feelings about following dreams: “Standing up is harder than what it seems … to fighting fears and living dreams. There could be love and peace today because everything’s going to be OK.”

“The way I see it, we were all given a gift of some sort and the best way to use our gifts is to share them,” she said. Her other songs include “Holding Tight,” “Nowhere to Run” and “Stay Inside.” She is always writing songs and is in the beginning stages of making her first full-length album. In the meantime, she performs as often as she can because it’s what she loves to do. “Everyone has something that they love to do. Whatever it may be, it should always be a part of their lives. There is no excuse to not be happy.” -Jennifer LaRue - The Spokesman Review

Soulful and passionate, Stephanie Hatzinikolis caresses the keys on her keyboard. Her fingers flutter and dance across the black-and-white instrument and her voice, almost with a sense of urgency, fills the room.

Her songs are intimate and relevant. “I like to write what I’ve experienced and I aim to relate to as many people as possible. I tend to write about deep emotions and feelings, mostly things that will make others reflect on their own thoughts,” she said. “I’m always writing, never fully satisfied and always open for inspiration. Like any artist, I have no limits or boundaries. My gift is music and I intend on touching as many hearts as I can.”

Hatzinikolis, 22, has been playing the piano most of her life. She remembers writing her first composition when she was 4 or 5, playing it over and over again. Born in California, Hatzinikolis’ family moved a lot and she attended at least eight schools in different cities and states.

They settled in Spokane in 2001; she attended Mead High School and began writing words to accompany the melodies in her head. She graduated in 2005 and then went on to Spokane Falls Community College, earning an associate arts degree with studies in music theory, jazz and classical. “Discipline leads to freedom,” she said, “You study hard and learn one thing and then you are free to use that knowledge. Then you learn something else and so on. It’s an ongoing ladder.”

Hatzinikolis works at a Papa Murphy’s on the North Side. A co-worker, Sam Wilkinson, heard her play and decided to act as her manager, finding her gigs and helping her cut a sample CD. For the past few months she has been playing regularly at area establishments and has over a dozen performances lined up from now into November.

Though Hatzinikolis enjoys all genres of music, her style falls into the category of indie folk. Her songs often tell stories and include instrumentals. In her song “We Will All Fall,” she expresses her feelings about following dreams: “Standing up is harder than what it seems … to fighting fears and living dreams. There could be love and peace today because everything’s going to be OK.”

“The way I see it, we were all given a gift of some sort and the best way to use our gifts is to share them,” she said. Her other songs include “Holding Tight,” “Nowhere to Run” and “Stay Inside.” She is always writing songs and is in the beginning stages of making her first full-length album. In the meantime, she performs as often as she can because it’s what she loves to do. “Everyone has something that they love to do. Whatever it may be, it should always be a part of their lives. There is no excuse to not be happy.” -Jennifer LaRue - The Spokesman Review

It has been said that the sunflower is the happiest of all flowers; on Wednesday night The Vault was decorated with a vast array of sunflowers to celebrate Stephanie Hatzinikolis’ first full-length album release.

The cover of Hatzinikolis’ CD “This Side Up” shows her face at the heart of a sunflower. The same image was printed on the VIP passes distributed to guests at the entrance.

“I wanted everyone to be a VIP tonight,” Hatzinikolis said.

Over a hundred people gathered together near the stage to hear her play. Throughout each performance the audience was at the edge of their seats, inching closer to be apart of the music.

For many of Hatzinikolis friends and family this was a momentous occasion in her career.

Logan Heftel, a friend and fellow singer-songwriter, said the album had been years in the making.

“The show was a great representation of the work that went into the album,” Heftel said.

“This Side Up” has been an on going project since 2005. At 24-years-old Hatzinikolis has come a long way from playing at open mics and talent shows in Spokane, Wash.

After placing 3rd in Spokane’s Got Talent last year Hatzinikolis received criticism on her vocals skills. Instead of lashing back at the harsh comment she started taking voice lessons. The same amount of determination went into the writing process of her new album.

“This Side Up is about overcoming struggle whether it’s physical or mental,” Hatzinikolis said.

Although many of the songs on the album are personal, Hatzinikolis said she likes to leave them up to interpretation. The tracks cover a range of topics including dealing with trials, death and love. “Endlessly,” written for Hatzinikolis’ mom, talks about what it was like loosing her son.

“Everyone has their breakup songs, but I like music that takes you someplace else,” Hatzinikolis said.

At the CD release party Hatzinikolis surprised fans with a new song called “Broken Glass,” before the premiere no one except friends and family had heard her sing it live. Violinist Pamela Benton joined Hatzinikolis on the stage to perform the song. The mixture of strings and piano built an emotional bridge; when the drums kicked in every head in the room turned toward the stage at full attention.

“I loved watching the violinist,” Gonzaga graduate Erin Johnson said. “She was really into it.”

The final performance of the night ended with a standing ovation. Hatzinikolis’ release party was a great representation of her musical journey. From the time that she began teaching herself piano at the young age of 4 up untill the early days of writing lyrics in high school, Hatzinikolis said she has grown to love performing.

“Being on stage is the best feeling ever,” Hatzinikolis said. “It feels like being at home.”

The release party also featured Hatzinikolis’ first music video of the song “Come Back Down.” Check it out!
- Brianna L. Anderson

It has been said that the sunflower is the happiest of all flowers; on Wednesday night The Vault was decorated with a vast array of sunflowers to celebrate Stephanie Hatzinikolis’ first full-length album release.

The cover of Hatzinikolis’ CD “This Side Up” shows her face at the heart of a sunflower. The same image was printed on the VIP passes distributed to guests at the entrance.

“I wanted everyone to be a VIP tonight,” Hatzinikolis said.

Over a hundred people gathered together near the stage to hear her play. Throughout each performance the audience was at the edge of their seats, inching closer to be apart of the music.

For many of Hatzinikolis friends and family this was a momentous occasion in her career.

Logan Heftel, a friend and fellow singer-songwriter, said the album had been years in the making.

“The show was a great representation of the work that went into the album,” Heftel said.

“This Side Up” has been an on going project since 2005. At 24-years-old Hatzinikolis has come a long way from playing at open mics and talent shows in Spokane, Wash.

After placing 3rd in Spokane’s Got Talent last year Hatzinikolis received criticism on her vocals skills. Instead of lashing back at the harsh comment she started taking voice lessons. The same amount of determination went into the writing process of her new album.

“This Side Up is about overcoming struggle whether it’s physical or mental,” Hatzinikolis said.

Although many of the songs on the album are personal, Hatzinikolis said she likes to leave them up to interpretation. The tracks cover a range of topics including dealing with trials, death and love. “Endlessly,” written for Hatzinikolis’ mom, talks about what it was like loosing her son.

“Everyone has their breakup songs, but I like music that takes you someplace else,” Hatzinikolis said.

At the CD release party Hatzinikolis surprised fans with a new song called “Broken Glass,” before the premiere no one except friends and family had heard her sing it live. Violinist Pamela Benton joined Hatzinikolis on the stage to perform the song. The mixture of strings and piano built an emotional bridge; when the drums kicked in every head in the room turned toward the stage at full attention.

“I loved watching the violinist,” Gonzaga graduate Erin Johnson said. “She was really into it.”

The final performance of the night ended with a standing ovation. Hatzinikolis’ release party was a great representation of her musical journey. From the time that she began teaching herself piano at the young age of 4 up untill the early days of writing lyrics in high school, Hatzinikolis said she has grown to love performing.

“Being on stage is the best feeling ever,” Hatzinikolis said. “It feels like being at home.”

The release party also featured Hatzinikolis’ first music video of the song “Come Back Down.” Check it out!
- Brianna L. Anderson

It's been a very productive year for Stephanie Hatzinikolis since her previous appearance on the Local Lounge. She has performed twice at The Bing Crosby Theater: at a benefit concert for Transitions women's shelter and in competition for Spokane's Got Talent. In the latter, she placed 3rd out of around 200 contestants! Stephanie's rich voice and intricate piano accompaniment cover a huge dynamic range and can elicit powerful emotions. It's clear that her deeply personal lyrics and classically-inspired songwriting resonate with a larger audience. Just last week she unveiled her new full-length CD "This Side Up" and screened her professionally-produced music video of "Come Back Down", followed by a performance at Arbor Crest Wine Cellar's Hot Summer Nights. Stephanie Hatzinikolis returns to the 103.1 KCDA Local Lounge this Sunday for her third visit, spinning CD tracks, performing songs live in our studio, and talking about her upcoming concerts in the area.
- 103.1 KCDA

It's been a very productive year for Stephanie Hatzinikolis since her previous appearance on the Local Lounge. She has performed twice at The Bing Crosby Theater: at a benefit concert for Transitions women's shelter and in competition for Spokane's Got Talent. In the latter, she placed 3rd out of around 200 contestants! Stephanie's rich voice and intricate piano accompaniment cover a huge dynamic range and can elicit powerful emotions. It's clear that her deeply personal lyrics and classically-inspired songwriting resonate with a larger audience. Just last week she unveiled her new full-length CD "This Side Up" and screened her professionally-produced music video of "Come Back Down", followed by a performance at Arbor Crest Wine Cellar's Hot Summer Nights. Stephanie Hatzinikolis returns to the 103.1 KCDA Local Lounge this Sunday for her third visit, spinning CD tracks, performing songs live in our studio, and talking about her upcoming concerts in the area.
- 103.1 KCDA