August 27, 2025
The August 27 Songbird Concert carried a distinctive edge; one of those nights where individuality didn’t compete, it compounded.
Shanna in a Dress opened with a magnetic blend of theatricality and emotional honesty. Her performance felt immersive, balancing vulnerability with a bold presence that set the tone from the start. Hunter Peebles followed with a steady, roots-driven presence, bringing the night back to center with honest songwriting and a delivery that felt both relaxed and resolute.
Miki P shifted the energy with a modern, genre-blurring style that added texture and contrast to the round. There’s a fluidity to Miki’s performance that keeps listeners leaning in; never quite knowing where the next turn will land, but trusting the ride. Chris Shepherd closed the evening with a grounded, songwriter-first approach, delivering songs that felt thoughtful and intentional. His set brought a sense of clarity and craftsmanship, giving the room space to settle into the stories.
Together, the lineup created a compelling arc—distinct voices, different approaches, but a shared commitment to storytelling that felt fresh, dynamic, and unmistakably Songbird.
📸: Auset Sarno
ABOUT THE MUSICIANS
Chris Shepherd
Hunter Peebles
Shanna in a Dress
Miki P
-
Chris Shepherd is a St. Louis-based singer, songwriter, and guitarist whose music channels the raw emotion and rich legacy of blues, soul, and gospel. With gritty guitar work, smooth-as-honey vocals, and a deep well of original songs, Shepherd brings a timeless authenticity to every stage he steps on. His sound is rooted in the spirit of St. Louis—a city steeped in musical history—and it pulses with the lived experience of heartache, resilience, and joy.
Whether delivering a soul-soaked ballad or a foot-stomping blues anthem, Chris Shepherd keeps the tradition alive with every note, reminding us why the blues still matter and why St. Louis still swings.
-
Hunter Peebles brings a rich, reflective voice to the Country and Americana scene—one that echoes the grit of John Prine and the soul of George Jones. Based in St. Louis, Peebles writes songs that dig deep into life’s messy beauty—love and loss, grit and grace—delivered with a storyteller’s eye and a voice that rings true.
Known for his work fronting Hunter Peebles & The Moonlighters, Peebles shines just as brightly on his own, blending timeless country influences with modern songwriting sensibility. His solo sets showcase the heart behind the music: stripped-down arrangements, poignant lyrics, and a voice that can break your heart and mend it in the same breath. Whether you’re a fan of classic country, modern Americana, or just a good story well told, Hunter Peebles offers a sound that’s as authentic as it is unforgettable.
-
Shanna in a Dress is the folk-pop singer-songwriter you didn’t know you needed—part comedian, part poet, and all heart. Known for her clever wordplay, fearless vulnerability, and quirky charm, Shanna delivers a performance that’s equal parts gut-busting laughter and heartstring-pulling truth. Whether she’s crooning about heartbreak, feminism, or her refusal to wear pants, Shanna takes audiences on an emotional rollercoaster—and somehow manages to land the punchline and the gut-punch in the same breath.
A blend of John Prine’s storytelling, Ingrid Michaelson’s indie sweetness, and a dash of Phoebe Buffay's lovable chaos, Shanna’s songs are delivered with a voice that’s warm, clear, and unmistakably her own. Whether she’s on stage at the Bluebird Café or pedaling across the country in a sundress, Shanna in a Dress is an artist who’s impossible to forget—and honestly, why would you want to?
-
Miki P is a Midwest-based multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and performer whose music blends introspection with infectious melody. Rooted in a lifelong love of rock and pop—both classic and modern—her songs feel like pages from a beautifully written journal: vulnerable, melodic, and unafraid to dig deep. Writing as a form of healing, Miki crafts compositions that linger long after the last note, filled with emotional honesty and subtle strength.
Whether performing solo, alongside her acoustic band The Swallowtails, or lending her talents as a freelance musician, Miki P brings a captivating stage presence and a sound that’s both intimate and expansive. Her music carries a quiet weight—melancholy in tone, but always reaching for connection. For fans of raw lyricism, rich instrumentation, and the kind of songs that feel like they were written just for you, Miki P offers something beautifully real.