Lifestyle & Entertainment
26 July, 2026
Local singer embraces country roots with latest release
TRAWALLA local and independent singer-songwriter Stephanie Skidmore, better known by her stage name Steffii, is embracing a new musical direction with the release of her latest single, Country Breeze. Raised in Willaura, Steffii has been performing for as long as she can remember, growing up on a diverse soundtrack that ranged from Shania Twain, Celine Dion, Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton to Nicki Minaj.
"My mum reckons I've been singing since I could talk. And I've always loved singing."
After originally making a name for herself in rap and hip hop, Steffii has transitioned into country music.
“I've done a few singles and an album,” she said.
She released her single Dirty Love in 2018.
In 2020, she released her debut 10-track album Misfits, which she wrote herself while working alongside producer Connor Jones. She followed it with the single One of a Kind in early 2021.
She has since toured throughout Geelong, Melbourne, Echuca, Bright and Ballarat, building a growing audience along the way.
"My fanbase has changed as well.
“After making the transition to country, my fans are now starting from the ages of three onward."
Inspired by a road trip home from Sydney, Steffii said Country Breeze marked a return to the music she has always loved.
"I've always loved country music. I got inspired with my latest song because we were on the way back from Sydney in the truck. I thought from all the hustle and bustle of the city of Sydney to the beautiful country,” she said.
"It was gorgeous. I was so inspired to write Country Breeze."
The song has already found an audience online.
"It's only been out a couple of weeks and it's had over 5,000 streams on Spotify alone. It's going crazy."
The accompanying music video will be released on August 7th and features scenes filmed throughout the local district.
"That's showcasing our local area. A lot of the filming was done at home and in the Trawalla region."
Steffii has also been named a finalist in the Listen Up Music songwriting competition and will perform an unreleased original song live at Bendigo's Golden Vine Hotel on September 4.
For Steffii, performing remains the highlight of her career.
"It's a surreal moment when I get up on stage. It's actually the most alive that I ever feel. There's another version of me that's really happy,” she said.
"It's mind-blowing that people love my stuff that much that they are actually enjoying it and singing along."
After almost a decade of auditioning, Stephanie has also achieved a long-held dream by earning a space on this year's season of The Voice.
"I want to put it out there that anyone can achieve anything if they put their mind to it."
Anyone interested in checking out our homegrown star can visit www.steffii.com.au.