Black Stacey
Kansas City, Missouri, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2014 | SELF | AFTRA
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The title track from an upcoming EP, “Lose the Peace” is the latest effort from Kansas City-based artist Black Stacey.
“It’s undoubtedly one of my proudest moments as a writer,” said Sharaden Staten, the man behind the project.
The song — which sets up the album’s narrative about a troubled father/daughter relationship — dynamically pulls together Staten’s deep-rooted influences in rock, soul, R&B, blues and funk. These influences go back to the artist’s formative years, when he would borrow guitars from friends and draw frets on his arm to familiarize himself with the instrument. Later, when living in Warrensburg, Missouri, Staten honed his chops while working among a community of artists, writers and musicians. In 2017, he released Black Stacey’s debut album, “Electric Chariot.”
With textured guitar leads, a soulfully serene vocal delivery and lovely accoutrements — backing vocals by Julia Haile, viola by Christine Grossman, horns by Michael Raehpour and Grant Morgan, and co-production with Joel Nanos at Element Recording — “Lose the Peace” is certainly something Staten and his band can be proud of.
“It was new territory for me as a songwriter,” Staten said. “I’ve never composed string or horn parts, and I’m a pretty mediocre Wurlitzer player. But we had some keen input from very talented musicians, and I can’t thank them enough.”
Here is The Bridge’s premiere of “Lose the Peace,” by Black Stacey: - Bridge 909
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
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Bio
Black Stacey is Sharaden Staten, a Missouri native, whose music brings the spirit of "Electric Church" to the Midwest. Sharaden, a 25-year-old, having grown up in the back woods of central Missouri, and couch surfed his way into the KC metro, pairs subtle notes of R&B, funk, soul, and rock; dramatically blending it into a raw and emotional eclectic mix.
In his home, growing up, it was heavy doses of Motown and Hip-Hop. Rock music was an undertaking the young adolescent ventured into alone, and not having been exposed to the black iconic guitar players that shaped the genre, he felt isolated. “I remember family members calling me a ‘white boy’ for listening to this stuff, or that it was ‘devil worshiping’ music.” Sharaden states. “The sound was becoming a huge part of who I grew to be today, and I couldn't express that, I didn't know how. So, I just sort of withdrew myself from some of those family members.”
At 13-years-old, Sharaden was borrowing guitars from friends. Spending most of that time looking down at the overwhelming amount of frets, determined to recreate the songs he loved. “I remember being so obsessed with everything about the instrument. If I couldn't borrow, I would just draw the guitar neck on my arm and practice that way.”
Using holiday breaks and summers away from college, he began writing, recording and producing demos in his mother’s attic. “I bought a cheap USB microphone and torrented a recording software. Literally, I was spending 6-8 hours a day demoing. No intention of ever sharing those, but it was an outlet I needed to have.” It wasn't until a few years later, when Sharaden was dismissed from college in 2011, that he began to pursue a music career.
It was his years living in Warrensburg, MO that solidified the idea. Not having a place to live, he spent a lot of time on the couches of friends, whom would eventually push the young songwriter to work his craft. “It was tough, no doubt… mentally. But, there was a small community of artists, writers, and other musicians that took me in,” he explained. “We played music, talked philosophy, took drugs, encouraged each other. I was able to step out of previous isolation, and be vulnerable with those guys. That time shaped me as an artist, and really focused me.”
In 2015 Sharaden began writing, recording and producing Black Stacey’s debut, “Electric Chariot”. A project that has given him a solid foundation in the KC music scene, gaining him spots on local radio and the opportunity to work with producer Joel Nanos ( Madisen Ward and The Mama Bear, Radkey, Sly/Robbie & the Taxi Gang). He’s a long way from a kid drawing guitar frets on his arms, honing his craft through dreams of Hendrix, Gil Scott Heron, and Curtis Mayfield, but the young musician knows there is still much to say.
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