Get to know: Stephanie Rodd - A French Voice Bringing Comfort to the London Soul Scene
- QH SOUND
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
In London’s pop-jazz-soul landscape, Stephanie Rodd is emerging as a quietly powerful voice rooted in authenticity and emotional honesty. Her path into music wasn’t immediate - she first studied languages and trained in drama, pursuing acting while always continuing to sing and write. “I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember,” she says, but the turning point came during musical moments on stage: “Those were the moments when I felt the most comfortable and the most like myself. That’s when I realised I needed to follow that path and take music more seriously.”
About four years ago, Stephanie committed fully to music, working on her debut EP and releasing several singles. Since then, she has built her career independently - a journey both liberating and demanding. “You have to wear so many hats... but I genuinely love the freedom that comes with being independent... staying true to my artistic vision without pressure.”
Sonically, Stephanie embraces fluidity. “My sound is really a blend and it actually took me some time to figure out what felt like “me.”... But if I had to sum it up, I’d say my music sits somewhere between pop, jazz and soul... I don’t try to fit into one box.” Her songwriting focuses on empowerment, vulnerability, and self-esteem. “I write a lot about self esteem, confidence and empowerment,” drawing predominantly from lived experience: “Most of my inspiration comes from personal experiences.” One key influence is “Amy Winehouse,” whose soulful imprint echoes subtly in Stephanie’s sound.
Her unique voice is also shaped by her cultural duality. “Being French while mainly writing in English adds a subtle blend of both cultures,” though this sometimes sparks debate back home. “Writing in French doesn’t feel natural to me... English just feels more natural to me creatively.”
Stephanie’s milestones are deeply human - releasing her debut EP, hosting a launch party, performing in London, securing radio play, yet above all, “The moment I decided to start my career and fully follow my passion.”
A couple of songs stand out most to her: “I have a soft spot for my single ‘Dancing Through the Unknown’... this mix of jazz and pop that feels playful and free,” and her recent release “‘Lovely’, because its message is meaningful to me.”
Offstage, she doesn’t quite match her confident persona. “I’m actually quite introverted and far from naturally confident,” she admits, adding, “I’m also a pretty private person in real life, yet I somehow end up sharing the deepest parts of myself through my songs.”
Her mission is clear, “I hope my music helps people feel a little kinder towards themselves... I want my songs to be a safe space.” That intention was powerfully confirmed when “a young woman once messaged me saying that my music helped her feel better.”
Currently working on new material, Stephanie says, “You can definitely expect new songs to be released in 2026.” Long-term, her goals remain grounded: “To be able to make a living from my music” while building “a genuine community around my songs.”
As her sound continues to evolve - becoming “more mature” with an “elegant and warm” visual identity - Stephanie Rodd stands as an artist for whom music isn’t about spectacle, but connection. In her own words: “If my songs can support someone in their own journey, even in a small way, then that already means a lot to me.”
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