Song Spotlight: Stephanie Wittmer's Texas Is Haunted (a night at the Bigfoot Lodge)

It was a Friday night so why not enjoy a full night of music. I did a rare venue jump (for me, maybe not for others) by starting out at Zebulon where I caught the full line-up. Then I went off to the Bigfoot Lodge to end the night at just past the stroke of midnight. Stephanie Wittmer was playing the Americana Joy showcase and was celebrating the release of her "Texas Is Haunted" single. 

Stephanie Wittmer at the Bigfoot Lodge

Per bandcamp, she grew up in small town Illinois and then moved to Los Angeles after college. In 2021, she released her debut EP Pilot. Her music can be described as "90s country influences with modern folk-pop flourishes that make for an inspired journey along open roads and past tumbleweeds, 'only stopping for good views' — or news, depending on the chorus."

Comment of the set that perhaps explained her sips of tea throughout the set and maybe the fact that she recently saw Disclosure Day: Full disclosure, I was really sick two weeks ago.   

Noticed: A friend showed up mid set and gave a wave to Wittmer. Coming in from work? And was that Devon Thompson in the crowd? 

Stephanie Wittmer at the Bigfoot Lodge

Noticed 2: Her set ended with a country rocker "The Great Ones," which is the final track of her EP. As she performed the song, the clock ticked pass midnight. Couples were dancing throughout her set, but that midnight hour as well as the song's country beat provided an extra incentive and the front of the stage was a dedicated stage to show off everyone's dance skills.

Story of the night: That goes to her unreleased song "Don't Mind." She introduced it by saying, "I wrote it for nobody, because it's a love song." Her brother and current sister-in-law were looking for a wedding song and the lyrics happened to fit their relationship. "They danced to my sh*tty demo of it at their wedding."   

 

Stephanie Wittmer at the Bigfoot Lodge

The song spotlight naturally goes to "Texas Is Haunted." What's the background of the lyrics? Per an Instagram post, "Moral of the story: you can run from your problems, but they’ll still haunt you wherever you go." 

Is the history of the song about a break-up and a drive to Texas to record her debut EP? Or about her trip to Texas for her brother's wedding and it is a companion piece to "Don't Mind"? I love speculating. I recently speculated about the final episode of Euphoria Season 3. One of my two predictions came true. One might even argue that my second prediction came true, but in a 180 degree fashion. And hey, hopefully someone has bought a new car since that time inspired by the lyrics.  

Stephanie Wittmer at the Bigfoot Lodge

I came here to forget about you

But you're still everywhere and in everything I do

Setlist: Pilot, Always Been A Sucker, TN, Dancin, weren't for wind (Ella Langley cover), Don't Mind, Texas Is Haunted, Cavalier, The Difference, Moonlight, The Great Ones.