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Stela Cole

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Stela Cole
Stela Cole doing “the hand” at her LA Live Show on November 10, 2022.
Stela Cole doing “the hand” at her LA Live Show on November 10, 2022.
Background information
Birth nameHollyn Elizabeth Shadinger
Also known asStela Cole, Hollyn Cole
Born (1997-10-21) October 21, 1997 (age 27)
Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.
GenresPop
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, piano, ukulele, bass
Years active2010-present
LabelsRCA Records, Ultra Records, Stelavision Records
Websitestelacole.com

Hollyn Elizabeth Shadinger[1] (born October 21, 1997), known professionally as Stela Cole is an American singer-songwriter. Her song “DIY” held the record for the most first week streams[2] on American Song Contest where she reached the semi-finals as a contestant for her home state Georgia.[3] Prior to ASC, Stela independently released her EP, “Woman of the Hour” (2020) and song “I Shot Cupid” (2021) through her self-funded label “Stelavision Records”[4] and Venice Music.[5]

Early life

[edit]

Shadinger was born on October 21, 1997, in Knoxville, Tennessee. She was adopted at birth[5] and grew up Peachtree City, GA.

Shadinger grew up playing goalkeeper, she injured her back at 15, ending her competitive soccer career.[6] After sustaining a serious back injury during a game, she turned her attention toward writing songs. After recording her first demos, she caught the attention of local producers who recognized her talent and introduced her to eventual manager Steve Sparrow. Sparrow went on to teach Stela how to write songs in a professional manner and is still her manager to this day.[5]

Shadinger graduated from Starr’s Mill High School in 2016 and sang the national anthem at her graduation ceremony.[7] She briefly attended Belmont University to pursue a degree in “Commercial Voice,” but dropped out to focus on her music career with RCA Records.[8]

Career

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2018: Musical debut with RCA Records

[edit]

In 2018, Cole signed with RCA Records which released her debut single "You F O" [9] and later on distributed her debut project "Throwing Up Butterflies"[10]

Later in 2018, RCA Records dropped Cole a week after she played them the demo of her song "Love Like Mine" due to creative differences. According to Cole, They envisioned her to be a spin-off Meghan Trainor whereas Cole had a entirely different vision for her career and musical future.[8]

2020: Woman Of The Hour EP

[edit]

In 2020, Cole started to roll out her EP "Woman Of The Hour" via independent music distribution service AWAL.[11] Before the release of the EP, every track was released as a single except Kiss or Kill which was released with the final EP delivery. The debut single of the EP was "Woman of the Hour.”

In a TikTok livestream, Cole revealed that she was able to fund her extended play, “Woman of the Hour” with the leftover money she saved from her RCA Records deal. Cole also stated on this livestream that she owns the masters to this EP and her song “I Shot Cupid,” therefore earning enough from streaming to pay her bills.[12]

2021 - 2023: American Song Contest & Signing to Ultra Records post EP

[edit]

In early 2021, Stela teased her single "I Shot Cupid" on social platform TikTok. She then she released it onto all platforms on 1 June 2021 independently.[13]

Later in 2021, Cole officially signed with Ultra Records.[14] Her first single with the label was "Walking On The Moon." Cole also appeared in the first ever season of American Song Contest to represent her home-state Georgia. She represented Georgia with the track "DIY" [15] Cole made it to the semi-finals of the show where she was eliminated.[16]

Cole throughout 2022 - 2023 continued to release a series of Non-album singles through her label Ultra Records including "Rhapsody In Pink", "Star", "Bye Bye Blues" & Roses.[17]

2024 to present: Exiting label deal and Debut LP 'I Die Where You Begin'

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Cole used 2023 to split with her previous label and reclaimed her place as an independent musician via indie distribution service Amuse, in which she started rolling out her debut album. Cole cites Fleetwood Mac, The Mama’s and Papa’s, Tame Impala, The Eagles, Arctic Monkeys and more as inspirations for this new musical era. Cole describes this new era in her music as "more than a musical evolution, a rebirth."[18]

Cole began this new musical journey via the release of debut single 'Die Hard'[19] She then continued to release singles 'Midnight Killer, Blood Orange Wine, Feel It Again, Candyland, all of which later appeared on a prequel EP of the album 'IDWYB: The Prequel, with new accompanying single 'Now or Nevermind'' [20] Following the EP, Cole released further singles Blue Moon, God Loves You & Stereoqueen.[21][22][23]

Following this, Cole announced the album title 'I Die Where You Begin', accompanied by the full tracklist via social platforms and a pre-release page on streaming service Spotify, for release on 14th March 2025.[24] Vinyl variants were also announced for pre-order during this time.[25]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Title Album details
I Die Where You Begin
  • Released: March 14, 2025
  • Label: Stelavision Records, Amuse (music company)
  • Formats: LP, digital download, streaming

Extended plays

[edit]
Title Album details
Let Me In (released as Hollyn Cole)
  • Released: January 12, 2016
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Throwing Up Butterflies
  • Released: August 10, 2018
  • Label: RCA Records
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Woman of the Hour
  • Released: November 20, 2020
  • Label: Stelavison Records, AWAL
  • Formats: LP, Digital download, streaming

Singles

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Title Year Album
Maybe Love Will Last[26] (released under the name “Hollyn”) 2014 Non-album single
Bodyrush[27] 2017
Secret Lover[28]
You F O 2018 Throwing Up Butterflies
Throwing Up Butterflies
Woman of the Hour 2020 Woman of the Hour
Love Like Mine
Goldrush
The Day It Rained In Southern California
Graveyard Shift
No Man's Land
I Shot Cupid 2021 Non-album single
Walking On The Moon
DIY (From "American Song Contest") 2022 American Song Contest: Episode 4
Rhapsody In Pink Non-album single
Star
Bye Bye Blues
Roses 2023
Die Hard 2024 I Die Where You Begin
Midnight Killer
Blood Orange Wine
Feel It Again
Candyland
Blue Moon
God Loves You
Stereoqueen
[edit]
Title Year Album
Edit You

(KREAM featuring Stela Cole)

2019 Non-album single
Sweater

(Codeko featuring Stela Cole)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "STELA COLE Trademark of Hollyn Elizabeth Shadinger - Registration Number 5447812 - Serial Number 87603709 :: Justia Trademarks". trademarks.justia.com. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  2. ^ "Stela Cole Chats Her Upcoming Single "Star," Self-Care Tips, And Creating Music — Raydar Magazine". raydarmagazine.com. 2022-09-16. Retrieved 2023-01-17.
  3. ^ "American Song Contest 2022 Georgia: Stela Cole - "DIY"". Eurovisionworld. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
  4. ^ Lefuturewave; Lefuturewave. "Introducing: Stela Cole - Woman of the Hour - Lefuturewave". lefuturewave.com. Retrieved 2023-01-17.
  5. ^ a b c Interview with Stela Cole, 22 September 2022, retrieved 2023-01-10
  6. ^ "STELA COLE RELEASES ANTHEMIC NEW SINGLE "RHAPSODY IN PINK" VIA ULTRA RECORDS". Mundane. 2022-08-31. Retrieved 2023-01-18.
  7. ^ Hollyn singing National Anthem at Starr's Mill High School graduation, 20 May 2016, retrieved 2023-01-18
  8. ^ a b Interview with Stela Cole, 22 September 2022, retrieved 2023-01-15
  9. ^ "NEW POP SINGER/SONGWRITER STELA COLE SIGNS WITH RCA RECORDS AND RELEASES DEBUT TRACK & MUSIC VIDEO FOR "YOU F O" – Sony Music Canada". www.sonymusic.ca. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
  10. ^ "Stela Cole Releases Debut EP Throwing Up Butterflies Via RCA Records Today – Sony Music Canada". www.sonymusic.ca. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
  11. ^ "Stela Cole "Love You Like Mine" | Kings of A&R". kingsofar.com. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
  12. ^ 26 AUG 2022 - Stela Cole - TikTok Live, retrieved 2023-01-19
  13. ^ Cole, Stela. "Stela Cole - I Shot Cupid". TikTok. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
  14. ^ Major, Michael. "Stela Cole Releases New Single 'Bye Bye Blues'". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
  15. ^ "American Song Contest 2022 Georgia: Stela Cole - "DIY"". Eurovisionworld. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
  16. ^ Stela Cole Performs "DIY" LIVE At The Semifinals | American Song Contest, 9 May 2022, retrieved 2023-01-10
  17. ^ "Stela Cole discography - RYM/Sonemic". Rate Your Music. Retrieved 2025-02-14.
  18. ^ "Amuse Artist - Stela Cole". amuse. Retrieved 2025-02-14.
  19. ^ RECORDS, BROKEN 8. "Stela Cole's shares new single 'Die Hard', a release that is equally flawless and harrowing". BROKEN 8 RECORDS. Retrieved 2025-02-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  20. ^ IDWYB: The Prequel by Stela Cole - RYM/Sonemic, retrieved 2025-02-14
  21. ^ Stela Cole – Stereoqueen, retrieved 2025-02-14
  22. ^ "Stela Cole Drops New Music Video for "God Loves You"". pm studio world wide news (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-02-14.
  23. ^ Delores, Bee (2024-11-15). "Stela Cole Shoots For The Stars With Hypnotic 'Blue Moon' (Review)". Countrypolitan Magazine. Retrieved 2025-02-14.
  24. ^ "Spotify". open.spotify.com. Retrieved 2025-02-14.
  25. ^ "I Die Where You Begin". Record Stop. Retrieved 2025-02-14.
  26. ^ Maybe Love Will Last by Hollyn, 2014-09-23, retrieved 2023-01-17
  27. ^ Bodyrush, 2017-04-21, retrieved 2023-01-17
  28. ^ Secret Lover, 2017-05-26, retrieved 2023-01-17
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