In a musical landscape where the term "old soul" is often misused, Stella Prince emerges as a true 20-year-old folk sensation. Hailing from Nashville, her musical inspiration stems from the holy trinity of singers - Karen Carpenter, Patsy Cline, and Judy Garland. These three voices have shaped her impressive vocals and equally inspiring songwriting, which is folk-inspired by the queen of folk, Joni Mitchell.

Stella Prince: Carrying the Torch of Folk Music into Gen Z

The Trio that Shapes Stella Prince

Karen Carpenter's voice holds a special place in Stella Prince's heart. As she recalls, "The power of 'Yesterday Once More' makes me sob every time I hear it. She is my personal favorite singer ever. I've been obsessed with her since I was eight years old and I've cried many tears about her. I have photos of her on my walls and carry her memoirs with me wherever I go." Patsy Cline and Judy Garland complete the trio, each leaving an indelible mark on her musical journey.Just like in the '60s folk scene where artists played coffeehouses and clubs every night, Stella Prince has turned a tireless work ethic into burgeoning music success. In 2024 alone, she played 300 shows, all booked by herself. Thanks to these shows, she now has a team in place to help with her mission of bringing folk music to Gen Z.

Stella Prince's Red Carpet Experience

Last weekend, Stella Prince attended the Variety Hit Makers brunch in LA. It was her first ever red carpet, a surreal experience that she describes as "like my world went from black and white to color." Meeting other amazing artists like Lainey Wilson, Benson Boone, Laufey, Dasha, and Lauren Spencer Smith was a highlight. Benson Boone's advice, "My first ever red carpet, I was such a mess, completely freaked out. And then after a few more, I was like, 'Oh, this is fun.'" gave her the confidence to enjoy the moment. After the event, she wrote down 30 pages in her diary to remember it forever.

The Call to Folk Music

Stella Prince's love for music started at a young age. From the age of two or three, she was building towards this moment. After going through COVID and experiencing massive loneliness and isolation, she feels that now is the right time for folk music to be mainstream again. Her music, which she calls Gen Z folk, is specifically written for her generation. It reflects the hardships and emotions of being a young adult in today's world.

Her Path to Success

The past seven years have been a slow build for Stella Prince. She started playing in restaurants, bars, wineries, and breweries. In the beginning, it was hard as no one would listen, but as she grew, people started to pay attention. Now, they not only listen but also mouth the words to her songs. Two of her songs, "Two Faced" and "Crying on a Saturday Night," have a special connection with people. They often share their personal interpretations of the songs with her.

Contemporary Folk Inspirations

Stella Prince looks up to contemporary artists like Kasey Musgraves, Noah Kahn, Laufey, and Lana Del Rey. But for her, Joni Mitchell is the queen of folk. She is amazed to see how Joni Mitchell has become a Gen Z icon. Every time she meets someone her age, they mention loving Joni Mitchell.When it comes to touring in 2025, Stella Prince dreams of touring with Joan Baez. The fact that all these folk singers are still performing and active is truly inspiring.In conclusion, Stella Prince is proudly carrying the torch of folk music into Gen Z, bringing a fresh perspective and a personal touch to the genre.