Tuesday, January 15th, 2008 | 64 COMMENTS
Duane Stephenson: From August Town
Born in Kingston, Jamaica on April 22, 1976, Duane and his family decided to settle in August Town, a little town in eastern St. Andrew, Jamaica. August Town has an air rich in culture and music and has produced many talented artists such as The Rastafarians, Colin Roach and more currently Sizzla Kolongi. Duane’s exposure to music was inevitable as music was a big part of his family. His uncle Michael Rutherford was the lead singer of a popular band known as Sunny Bradshaw and the Big Band and Rhythms Kings band. During this time he was exposed to music from artists such as Kenny Rogers, BB King, Al Greene, the Temptations, Chi Lites and the Manhattans to name a few. Duane then became the lead singer of a six member singing group known as To-Isis, which was formed with other members of the Cathy Levy Club in 1997. The group went on to be one of the most recognized vocal groups in Jamaica, with their class, style and professionalism.
In August 2006, Duane decided to leave Toisis to take center stage on his very own as a solo act. His first official solo album, From August Town, which dropped September 17 on reggae label VP Records, features the infectious title track “August Town†ushering in a new era of soulful roots. OonuCulture.com caught up with Duane to discuss his new album, and what it means to be From August town.
OC: When did you realize that you had the talent to sing?
I have been singing from the time I was a little boy, I started off in the church choir like most people. But in the choir you can’t really do your thing because there is so much talent. By my late teens I was being pushed by family and friends, so I knew I had to atleast try.
OC: How would you describe your music?
I would describe my sound as soulful roots. A nice mellow vibe.
OC: Is this your first album with VP records?
This is actually my first record.
OC: Who are some of the producers you worked with on the album?
Well basically Dean Frasier produced the album.
OC: Why did you decide to name your record “From August Town”
I wanted to do something that was close to the heart and when I wrote the song “From August Town”, I knew it was a pretty powerfull song. It says so much about me, my experiences, and where I am coming from. It has personality.
OC: Who are some of the artists that inspire you?
I would say Peter Touch, he was a very powerful writer, Jimmy Cliff and Marvin Gaye. There are a wide range of people who inspire me.
OC: What impression of your music do you want people to take after listening to your album.
I would like people to think that it was a beautiful and inspiring album, easy on the ears, you know something that you can learn from and relate to.
OC: What is your favorite track on the album?
In terms of lyrics I would say “August Town”, but in terms of the whole presentation I would say “Misty Morning”.
OC: I understand that you are a writer, who are some of the artists that you have written for?
I have written for Luciano, Morgan Heritage, Jah Cure, Etana, and one or two other local artists in Jamaica.
OC: How did you find the transition from writer to singer?
Actually it was the other way around because I was singing with a group called To-Isis, for many years. Then I was asked to write for Luciano’s album many years ago, thats how I actually started writing for other people. People heard that song and loved my approach to music, so they started giving me more work as a writer.
OC: What can we expect from you in the future now that you have signed with VP Records?
Right now I’m just doing promotions for this album but you can expect clean conscious music. Try to teach the people something whithout being over bearing.
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64 Responses to “Duane Stephenson: From August Town”
fairytale gave me goosebumps…I love your music …jah bless
this is a song for every youn man to listen to and live by the words
Duane keeps it real in his music. I simply love this album. I listen to “August Town” everyday cuz it is really inspiring. Bless up and keep keeping it real Duane.
i love august town, but my favorite is misty morning…..all the best ..duane
i am pleased and proud that someone like you emerge from jamaica. keep up the positive vibes and continue your journey with positive lyrics.
thank you,
trecia
i am a jamaican and i endorse you. your music brings tears to my eyes.trecia
Keep it real…
I am a Belizean and I admire you a lot. You make me realize that life is worth living and learn from our mistakes.. God bless YOU
Duane ik kom helemaal tot rust als ik naar je muziek luister.Ga door om je positieve boodschap over te brengen.Je bent STERK en word nog STERKER. JAH BLESS AND LOVE YOU.
IK kom zelf uit SURINAME waar reggae hoog aan geschreven staat.
i just love all your songs…it is food for the brains and blood for the hear….i can say your are an inspiration from the famous Bob Marley..
Duane everytime i hear this song it brings back memories to me…I am a young girl from St.Lucia who has gone through alot in life.I should say i admire your music and from what i have heard from your songs”you’re a god in August Town”..Everytime i listen to this song in particular i just begin to cry..It’s touching.
Hey guys cant someone sent me the lyrics to August Town song? I have tried get em but cant help some one : milankitema@yahoo.com is my email.
oh man this guy is hot. his lyrics reminds me of garnett silk, so smoot and very well sang. keep up the good work. all the songs are great. keep them comming
Cuz this sounds is tight what kind of talent is this.respect to u Duane Stephenson’s and all my folks out there
august town is one of my favorite songs, the first time i heard that song, i listen it over and over until i fell asleep,…duane has a voice that touches the heart and soul
i love your whole album all the songs on your album give some kind of inspiration one way or another….love your music it touches my heart continue the good work….hope to get alot more of your good music in the future
i think that you have an amazing talent and i think all your songs are great …….
but august town is the best of them all
IT’S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE AN ARTIST HAS HAD SUCH AN EFFECT ON ME. I CAN’T SAY THAT I HAVE ONE FAVORITE SONG ON THIS ALBUM. THIS ALBUM WAS WORTH BUYING. THERE IS NOT ONE SONG THAT I WAS DISAPPOINTED WITH
VERY INSPIRING
Hi i loved your album,it was a totally unexpected album, very inspiring and educational, can’t wait for the next album, I saw you perform live at Brixton academy wow excellent performance,should of been longer,looking forward to seeing you again and again, keep up the good works, love Marissa. happy THAT YOU CHOSE THE RIGHT PATH. I WOULD APPRECIATE AN ADD ON YOUR MY SPACE.
i am dominican and i love your music and you too.. every song of your august town album is a hit. ooh how i would like to meet you one day..soon…peace and LOVE
your voice is so rich and powerful and every song is deep with inspiring heart felt lyrics i love every aspect of your album and i mean EVERYTHING…so when are you coming to perform in dominica? i will not miss that show and i know all dominicans young and old will love to see you live. You are a real hit in dominica and even my 10 month old niece hums to the august town song, thats one way we get here to settle down..once she hears it she just relaxes.love .jeanstar,Commonwealth of Dominica
I am also from Dominica and we love this song. I would really like the lyrics could someone send it for me please. my address is angeleyes@yahoo.com
hey guys this is a really great song, its so inspiring, Im a guy from nicaragua carribean coast, can someone please send the lyrics to ryan_t26@yahoo.com thanks
hi ppl listen to the words of this song from your heart it can change the live of our youths also please send me the words of this song , K.G Trinidad
THIS SONG IS MY MORNING GOSPEL I MUST PLAY IT BEFORE I START MY DAY IT COMES FROM THE HEART SOME PLEASE SEND ME THE WRIITEN WORDS OF THIS SONG to safaritt2008@gmail.com
KERVON BEST LOVE FROM TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
i only got to hear your music today and trust me it is so touching and i love it. i always love mucis with meaning and ur music definitetly has that, keep up the good work, bcuz i think the music world needs sons like urs, tsehai
I really love this sound its superb. It relates to what is happening now a days. Before i leave all I have to say is stay true yourself, don’t change and don’t change your music either.
i love the song so much would someone please send me the lyrics at allankirawa@yahoo.com mad luv from kenya
i love you music, its strong real reggae music. What i love is the smooth touch you put in your music that make reggae music more attractive. “August Town”, my favorite love that song. Cant wait ’til u visit Belize.
August town as touch me deeply keep that real vibe,we need it in this time..peace and love my brethen jah bless.natty
jah bless love all of your music ,we play it over and over.augusttown is played every where you turn in trinidad&tobago .thanks for positive songs emmanuel (ghana) west africa
Does anyone have the lyrics for August Town by Duane Stephenson?
May God bless this brother! Message in the Music!
Massive must listen! Blessings
You just hit the nail on its head. Allah Bless U. One Love Duane. Remember Senegal West africa is your next destination see u there.
u di best mein.your music is great, it is inspiring.
i really love ur songs!!!! n to think wen i had met u i had no idea u could touch me so deeply with ur music… u r an amazing person, so loving and caring n u portray dat in ur music…
Yes i , its great to hear your songs they are always inspiring and all its great once you are listening to the message in the song. My mum love the songs they all catch her attention. they are great.
I love your music Duane. no one puts it out there like u do. when u came to Belize you brought your positive vibes and it stayed here. so Jah Bless. Love Ya1111
I love your music Duane. no one puts it out there like u do. when u came to Belize you brought your positive vibes and it stayed here. so Jah Bless. Love Ya!!!!!!!
Man you are my favorite singer and i will for sure name my baby boy after you if you may give me your permission.Am a Kenyan love your album cannot wait for the other one i know it will be ital
man i love your song,just keep it goin on,here on the coast of nicaragua ,tou are the hit,JAH BLESS.
Duane keeps his music real and to the tune
Gooosshh!! that august town song rocks badly bak here in kenya. pliz sam1 send me the lyrics with an attachment of the song to diaznash@gmail.com.pliizz. and any other of dweins songs. jah bless!!
Such a great artist he is. If there’s one hit that i love, it’s ‘august town. Duane is such a hit. Ride on boy.
AUGUST TOWN. Its the song that was part of Guyana’s history in 08. With the murders we had and what we went thru, this song make me cry. Love ur music brother.
The whole world is africa big up man Jah will reward you,you made me proud being an african with the vibes sky is not the limit Go Go man kenyans loves you……
From Africa with love brother. Cool vibes
Never has roots and soul blended so well. You’r truly talented my brother w’r all looking forward to more of yo works.
Am 4rom kenya i jst lyk ol songs of duan,kip it up,one lov jah blez.
Bigup dwane till leo {today} i cant stop listen to august town. Born in august {leo}.waitin wen u come kenya
Fall in love with one of his songs and i had to find the name of the singer and i am impressed. I can really relate the them. Relaxing
grew up there so i lve z song AUGUST TOWN hope to hear more from you…to cheer up stressful ENGLAND
luv to all fellow jamaicans
i loveeeeeeeeee these positive lyics.listen up ghetto youths.
The vibes from August town thrills us all the way here in
Curacao. Keep it up, jah will provide
you are my favorite reggae artis. when i think of August town i think of you duane. Bless UP….cuzoo
MiSsss u cuzoo!cant waitt to see u!
lubb the musicc u makee!LuBbB ShanicEeeee! da cuzoo!
for sure i wasvin trouble findin whuz gud voice was that when i firstly listened august town in my local station, but when i found the name i took my time to find the album full of encouragement about our day to day life….i just love all of duane tight lyrics every track, thanx duane u gave mi somethin to live with! am from tanzania
i love you, your voice and the lyrics of the songs. Your songs sound as if you are personally speaking to me. As you said nice mellow vibes and all you expect from this cd is what really happens. Drop me a line
Duane Stephenson i love your music and August Town really inspired me.please keep it up u really mek ya home town look gud.
Duane, after Marley i thought all the prophets are finished coming but you’ve proved we the youth should heave some sign of hope. August Town track is my morning devotion song. Please when are you coming to Ghana West Africa
Ghana is waiting for you
Duane you are God sent messenger keep the concious vibes alive and I know jah will lift you to the skies.When are you coming to Ghana West Africa
That eagle that soar in Duanes hearth has given me inspiration to walk one more day like
drunk of August town song, what a HIT!!!!!!!!
powerful..evocative..inspiring..nostalgic..amazing..uplifting..full of positive meanings..refreshing..very good lyrical morals…makes u feel good about humanity…Son of Jah – keep up the good works and live the good life according to his majesty’s will. L:ots of love peace and happiness..one love