Duane Stephenson to ‘meditate and chill’ on his birthday
FOR HIS birthday today, the man from August Town, Duane Stephenson, will be holding a ‘meditate and chill’ vibe, as he gives thanks for another year, while relaxing at home with family. For the respected singer and songwriter, this is unusual in one sense, since he’s usually on the road at this time of the year, moving from one concert to another. However, he told The Gleaner
that he was never one to have over-the-top celebrations even if he happened to be at home.
“It would just be a day at home with family, and some friends would perhaps pass through. Nothing elaborate. Luckily, I got used to that,” he said, sounding a bit muffled because he was talking through a mask. “When you saw a few persons wearing these things in public a month and a half ago, you thought it was ridiculous, but look at everybody now,” he commented.
Duane, who had taken some time off from the music last November, and had postponed some concerts for health reasons, was ready to fully get back into the swing of things at the end of February when the world changed. The release date for his upcoming album, Exile To Dreadites,
originally scheduled for November 2019, was pushed to March and has been put on hold again owing to the COVID19 pandemic. The 14-track album of all brand new songs sees Duane working with producers such as Lamar Brown and Monty Savory, with his musical mentor, saxophonist extraordinaire, Dean Fraser, overseeing the entire project.
As is the case with almost every artiste, Duane has experienced a string of cancellations between Europe and the United States, and he doesn’t envision things getting back on track before the end of this year.
“Germany has officially cancelled all their festivals for the summer and France has made us know that we must be tested for the coronavirus in order to get the Schengen visa when they reopen their borders. This doesn’t apply to the UK, but their visa application form is like an encyclopaedia,” he stated.
The singer sees the effects of this virus as a wake-up call for the members of his fraternity, as regards financial investment. “We always hearing that we need to get involved in other ventures outside of music, and see it here now, everything come to pass,” he pointed out, adding that he had taken the advice and is using this time to get more involved in his other business.
In 2008, Duane Stephenson released his first album, From August Town, produced by Dean Fraser. Billboard
magazine named it as one of six albums “collectively galvanising a roots reggae revival”. His second album, Black Gold, was nominated for the 2010 Album of the Year at Jamaica’s Excellence in Music and Entertainment Awards. Duane also notably collaborated with legendary musicians The Wailers to write A Step For Mankind, which was done in benefit of the United Nations World Food Programme. His 2014 album, Dangerously Roots, solidified him as a reggae singer of exceptional quality.