Wayne Lee Stephens Perspective on These Are the Days
"These are the Days" is a concept I developed nearly 20 years ago. While going through a relatively rough period in my life I realized that I needed to hang onto the really special moments. Each minute brings us hope of renewal and the potential for someting even better. And that in itself should be cherished.
I am Wayne Lee Stephens, a songwriter and producer. My primary genres are Jazz, R&B/Funk, and Pop. I have played music since I was five years old, and now I create and release music from my home studio in Chicago.
I grew up in Cleveland, and I began playing the piano at the age of five. I used to hear my mother playing Lou Rawls and Dinah Washington albums on her (big) Magnavox console stereo. When I would go to my grandmother's house I'd hear her Junior Walker and the All-Stars 45's, and very definitely her James Brown records. That's where I began my appreciation for the Godfather!
I became an atrist when I discovered the ability to record my music. I'd always had "music in my head". But in the late 90's, not long after my son was born, I bought a small Casio electric piano that allowed me to save and record my music. What a concept!
These are the Days is definitely Jazz. But it contains some elements of funk basslines, as well as Pop-style drums.
During the last 3 years I've become much more attuned to Pop. I enjoy writing and producing Pop vocals in some of my other work, and I really like to dig into the drum mixes. Although I use my synthesizer for much of my keyboard sound, I typically use live drums and vocals, so it's important to me to 'get it right', especially when it comes to those aspects of the mix.
I want people to feel the intensity of whichever emotion the song is trying to convey. My earlier release, Love Profound, is all about a woman expressing the depths of her feelings for the person who is the love of her life. Another Groove is a Pop song that's more upbeat in it's approach, and centers on her wish to turn things around and make their love stronger. These are the Days just wants you to sit back and revel in the moment, enjoying life as it comes.
