Stephanie Bettman :: Official Website

BETTMAN & HALPIN IN OC WEEKLY!

Stephanie — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 23:27:32 +0000

Check it out: http://blogs.ocweekly.com/heardmentality/2013/04/bettman_and_halpin_soka_performing_arts_center.php

BETTMAN & HALPIN ON KCAL 9

Stephanie — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 23:27:16 +0000

Check it out here: http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2013/04/10/indie-musicians-spread-positivity-healing-and-joy-through-song/

Pasadena Star-News

Stephanie — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 22:12:09 +0000

KCET documentary on folk music focuses on Bettman and Halpin

By Luis Torres, Correspondent

Posted: 12/11/2012 01:41:08 PM PST

Updated: 12/11/2012 01:44:37 PM PST

Stephanie Bettman and Luke Halpin make up folk music duo Bettman and Halpin. (Photo by Christopher Moscatiello)

When broadcast journalist Dan Blackburn told the singing duo Bettman and Halpin that he wanted to produce a documentary film about them, they told him: “But you know we’re not famous.” And Blackburn replied that he hoped after the film is seen, they will be.

We shall see.

Stephanie Bettman and Luke Halpin have their fingers crossed. They are hoping the broadcast of the documentary titled “It All Comes Back to Love Tour” will be the catalyst that will boost their careers and open doors of opportunity.

“We’re very excited about this and grateful for the opportunity the airing of this film represents,” Bettman said. “We have our hopes up, but whatever happens happens.”

The film, which will air on KCET at 8 p.m. on Wednesday Dec. 12, provides an intimate look at the lives and artistic work of these two musicians who have been gaining popularity steadily since they came together six years ago. Their roots are in Southern California, particularly the San Gabriel Valley.

Bettman, after forays into such careers as trapeze and actress in her youth, decided seven years ago to dedicate herself to her first artistic love – music. She’s a fiddler, singer and songwriter. She has a captivating voice and a mesmerizing stage presence.

She was soon joined by Halpin, a musician who excels at mandolin guitar and fiddle. There is a certain effortlessness evident in his meticulous work on the mandolin or guitar onstage. Audiences often mouth the word “wow” after some pristine picking.

Playing thousands of gigs in small, informal venues throughout the country has made them proficient and “tight” as a duo.

Spontaneity and playfulness characterize their performances, and yet they tell haunting stories through original songs; their music evokes emotions and memories that resonate with their audiences.

Bettman and Halpin music is a mix of blues, bluegrass, folk and contemporary ballads with tinges of country.

“We call it `Americana’ if we’re forced to try to categorize the music we play,” Bettman said.

There seems to be something of a renaissance of folk-rooted acoustic music sweeping the country, and Bettman and Halpin are part of that movement. They say it’s been a fun journey, even with the inevitable little hardships and obstacles they’ve had to deal with along the way.

They do everything themselves. They don’t have booking agents, managers, publicists, accountants and lawyers. Maybe after they “break through” – which may happen soon – they’ll need a legion of assistants. But right now, they book their own shows, they produce their own CDs and they make their own arrangements on the road. Truth be told, they often “rely on the kindness of strangers” and flop on living room couches instead of staying at the nearest Holiday Inn or Best Western motel.

“We just enjoy performing,” Halpin said.

He’s been playing music professionally since he was about 9 years old.

“My first gig was at the Fourth of July picnic in South Pasadena at Garfield Park, and I still remember it well,” he said.

His family has been in South Pasadena for generations.

“My uncle painted the Garfield Park sign,” he said with a laugh.

In elementary school, he learned to play mandolin and quickly became a member of the family band. He joined his father, mother and brother in a band called the Phancy Clan Band.

“We played some bluegrass stuff and then some Merle Haggard kind of stuff,” Halpin said. “Later, when I was in my 20s, I still performed with my parents – Phil and Nancy Halpin – as the Halpin Trio.”

Halpin has fond memories of growing up in South Pasadena, which he says was a bit like something out of a Norman Rockwell Saturday Evening Post cover.

“My grandfather lived near that great library building in South Pasadena,” says Halpin. “I remember playing around there and going down Mission and stopping for candy and talking to people. Everybody was friendly; those are great memories.”

Like Bettman, Halpin looks at the airing of the documentary about them on KCET as something that could boost their careers.

“Sure, we hope it’ll give us more exposure and encourage more people to check out what we do,” he said.

Bettman says she’s trying to keep all of this in perspective.

“Yes, we have ambitions,” she said. “But it’s all about who you are as a person and not about somebody else’s definition of `success.”‘

She says she hopes people who watch the film on KCET will want to find out more about the music of Bettman and Halpin.

“I’d like those viewers to say, `I like them and I want more.”‘

IT ALL COMES BACK TO LOVE TOUR

8 p.m. Wednesday Dec. 12

KCET Channel 28

Pasadena Weekly

Stephanie — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 22:07:11 +0000

Telling tales: Songwriters Stephanie Bettman and Luke Halpin bring stories to life

By Kim Dixon Perez 12/13/2012

On a Sunday evening in October, I sat in Pasadena’s Neighborhood Church and listened as songwriters and musicians Stephanie Bettman and Luke Halpin told me stories.

Through their music, they described visiting a graveyard for circus performers and imagining the high-flying lives lived by those remembered there. They tapped into the personal anguish of a child with no permanent home. They described in exquisite detail the serenity of a moonlit night.

It was one of those beautiful, unplugged moments. No Facebook, no texting, just expertly played acoustic music, stunning voices and an intimate gathering — two artists sharing with the rest of us something they’ve created.

A new film airing on KCET-TV gives viewers a chance to get to know these two independent musicians who take

seriously the art, craft and business of telling stories through music. The film “It All Comes Back to Love Tour” shines a spotlight on Stephanie Bettman & Luke Halpin (bettmanandhalpin.com), an award-winning acoustic duo with Southern California roots.

Bettman is classically trained in opera, violin and voice. She studied at the Oberlin Conservatory and is also a former aerialist. Halpin, who grew up in South Pasadena, is self-taught. At the age of 8, his dad handed him a mandolin and a Mel Bay book and said “learn how to play, you’re in my band.”

Today they describe their music as Americana or “rootsy” — springing from the traditions of American blues, jazz and folk.

The film debuted on KCET on Dec. 12 as part of the public television station’s pledge drive and is scheduled to air again at 4 p.m. Saturday and at 11 a.m. Dec. 21.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I was involved in the film in the most tangential way. Filmmaker David Carstens is a friend of mine, and at his request I tagged along on the shoots at the artists’ home. My role was simply to generate conversation. Or just be there while Bettman and Halpin talked about life, art and music. They described the vulnerability of crafting something with care and presenting it to a live audience — quite opposite of today’s online Tweet culture.

Carstens describes the film as a “collection of moments.” He deliberately didn’t claim the title of director and didn’t script the story. Instead, he spent two years (using his own money) filming the musicians at concerts and at home. He didn’t know them before he started the project. As a former news cameraman and editor for KCAL-TV Channel 9 News in Los Angeles, he was simply motivated by their story.

The final film includes concert footage, interviews and conversations with the artists, capturing that feeling of connection that happens when people just sit around talking with others they find interesting.

Bettman and Halpin’s music is gaining momentum in the Southland. Upcoming performances include McCabe’s in Santa Monica (at 7 p.m. April 14) and the Soka Performing Arts Center in Aliso Viejo (8 p.m. April 11), among others.

I have no financial stake in their success. But I have personal reasons for wanting to live in a city in which people soak up real stories, shared in person, by artists who craft them with care.

Kim Dixon Perez is a freelance writer based in Pasadena.

New Press About KCET!

Stephanie — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 21:29:02 +0000

Thank you to all of you who watched the film on KCET in December. We had tons of positive response and it’s clear that the film gets people excited to see us live! Pasadena Star News: http://tinyurl.com/ap7uknw Pasadena Weekly: http://www.pasadenaweekly.com/cms/story/detail/telling_tales/11729/ … Continue reading →

We’re Going To Be On The Radio!

Luke — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 15:25:30 +0000

The Hootenanny Cafe Mini Concert, hosted by Jon Stein, will be featuring us, Stephanie Bettman and Luke Halpin on Sunday December 16, 2012 at 8PM (est). The show can be heard locally on 93.5FM and world wide at www.wtbq.com. Hope … Continue reading →

We Won!!

Luke — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 15:12:09 +0000

We are proud to announce that our instrumental “Buttonwillow” has won “Outstanding Achievement in Songwriting” in the Great American Song Contest!! We are so please and honored. Check out “Buttonwillow” under Music.

Review: It All Comes Back To Love – KGLT FM

Stephanie — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 21:24:02 +0000

It All Comes Back to … “How long till I can listen again to this CD?”
Five Stars
author: Rik James (“Americana Backroads” KGLT-FM)

“I just simply love this record. When I first put the disc in my player, I was ready for a quick step review, but just a few bars in, I was going, “Whoa now… Hey, wow, these guys can really sing and pick. Great singing, terrific arrangements. From the contagious beat and happy feel of the opening track, “Fiddler’s Bend” to the final song, “After the Storm,” I could not wait too long, and I just had to listen to the whole CD all over again. And I was not disappointed the second time either. Stephanie’s fiddling, and Luke’s guitar and mandolin are terrific. And the material… These songs are very special. I really cannot pick one favorite, because each took me to a place to which I wish to return to again and again. And I guess that is why it really does come back, comes back to a great love for what music can do. GET THIS CD!! Highly recommended!”

Review: It All Comes Back To Love – El Dorado News Times

Stephanie — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 21:12:32 +0000

Speaking of a CD with beautiful music, “It All comes Back To Love” features the voices and music of Stephanie Bettman and Luke Halpin.
Bettman’s voice might remind you a bit of Joan Baez or a dash of Emmylou Harris. Her fiddle playing blends elements of jazz, bluegrass and old-timey music. On their website it says “We are Stephanie Bettman and Luke Halpin, and together we create original folk/bluegrass/Americana music. Our shows are uplifting and energetic. And our songs range from up tempo bluegrass to groovy jazzy acoustic pop to heart wrenching ballads with a focus on memorable lyrics, stunning musicianship and beautiful vocal harmonies.”
Halpin has played with the likes of Merle Haggard and Lone Star. On the duo’s first CD he plays guitar, fiddle and mandolin. He offers harmony vocals and lead on at least one song. This summer the duo is keeping busy with gigs in New Mexico, Utah, Colorado and other spots out West.
“It All Comes Back To Love” is all acoustic, with help from the likes of Michael Pacillo and Brian Netzely. All eleven songs were written by Bettman or Halpin.
“Buttonwillow” is a fine instrumental featuring Bettman on fiddle, Halpin on mandolin, Netzley on bass and Pacillo on percussion. It might remind you of something from Alison Krauss, Tony Rice or Nickel Creek.

Bettman’s song “The Darker Side of Happy” is a haunting melody with beautiful harmony vocals to boot. Probably the opposite of “Darker Side…” is Bettman’s “Stiff Upper Lip,” featuring fantastic guitar from Halpin and fiddle by Bettman.

“It All Comes Back To Love” is a wonderful debut album by two talented people.
— Rod Harrington / El Dorado News-Times

Review: It All Comes Back To Love – MusicNewsNashville

Stephanie — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 20:50:33 +0000

by Janet Goodman

It’s hard to believe that this is their initial collaborative effort; Southern Californians Stephanie Bettman and Luke Halpin sound like they’ve been at it making records for some time. Their polished, 11-track Americana album, “It All Comes Back to Love,” shows off their many skills, as songwriters, as singers and as musicians. Produced by the duo, along with Ed Tree, the tracks here are a platform for Bettman’s emotive, Joan Baez-inspired vocals, as well as her award-winning fiddle playing, and Halpin’s head-spinning mandolin and guitar picking, and his velvety, close harmonies.

The Halpin-penned instrumental “Buttonwillow” is a rollicking bluegrass thrill with a European flair, while sultry south-of-the-border “Moonlit Night” is a romantic duet, pairing Halpin’s surprising center-stage tenor with Bettman’s clear soprano.

“The Darker Side of Happy,” written by Bettman, could be arguably THE definitive song explaining the emotions surrounding suicide. Reminiscent of the 2004 Brad Paisley country hit “Whiskey Lullaby,” she explores two self-inflicted deaths and the families left behind: “They all said it was a loss/They all felt a mortal shame/They all cried in separate corners/They all held themselves to blame.”

Folky and acoustic “The Sound of Time” finds Halpin singing lead in their poignant co-written song about a man getting through the untimely loss of his spouse, and looking back at how the experience changed his perspectives: “I use the good silver/Every week, fresh flowers from the store/I don’t wait to travel/And I don’t save the good wine anymore.”

The somewhat self-indulgent “Leavin’ New York” has a supporting melody, but lacks the lyric strength found elsewhere on this record. Light-weight and saccharine “Beautiful Place” feels “out of place” following the solid “The Sound of Time.” But the big picture on “It All Comes Back to Love” is the overall groove, the perfect, unique blending of their voices and the ace musicianship of both Bettman and Halpin, making this a memorable first project together as a band.

Visit their web site at www.stephaniebettman.com