By Howard Campbell—-
STEPHENS… music scene in Toronto is on the up but is a crab-in-a-barrel situation—
Growing up in Toronto, Canada singer Show Stephens says he soaked up the different sounds on radio and in the city’s clubs.
Some of those influences can be heard on So Amazing, his debut song, which was released this month.
“It’s a blessing to put my first record out there, I put my blood, sweat and tears in it and It makes me feel good to make others feel good while they are listening to my music,” he said.
Stephens was born in Spanish Town but moved to Toronto as a child. One of his uncles was the influential deejay/producer I-Roy who died in 1999.
He points to I-Roy as one of his favourite artists along with soul giants Sam Cooke and James Brown. He credits Toronto’s diverse music scene for his eclectic tastes.
He adds, however, that getting the break there is not easy.
“The music scene in Toronto is on the up but is a crab-in-a-barrel situation where everyone is trying to get to the top but stepping on each other. There isn’t a lot of support and people showing love out here,” he said.
Stephens has maintained a presence on Toronto’s live scene, performing mainly in clubs and writing songs for singer Karl Wolf.
He wrote two songs, UFO and Tell Me, for Wolf’s 2012 album Finally Free.
In July, he made his major show debut on One Love at The Border in Toronto.
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