steph stephenson

Hellooo and welcome to my homepage! Please support me by joining the mailing list, to receive the odd email about my new releases, etc!

Hellooo (again), I'm Steph Stephenson and a singer-songwriter from West Yorkshire, UK. I'm not going to pretend I'm someone else and write my biography in third person, that's far too impersonal, and hey! my songs are as open and personal as it gets, so why write in that manner?

I was born in Wales, which makes me Welsh, but I've lived in Oxford and Holmfirth for most of my life :) When I was 14 me and my best friend starting writing lyrics, and she played a little guitar too. She encouraged me to pick up my big sister's Fender Telecaster and learn a few chords! We wanted to be as cool as Avril Lavigne.

For my 15th Birthday I received a Tanglewood Folk, and it was from there I started to write songs. My sister gave me a few tips, I had a few guitar and singing lessons, and I read a few books including Songwriting for Dummies! But it was only with writing song after song that allowed me to get better!

When I was studying for my A levels I formed a band called Sleight of Mind. We practised in the scout hut, and performed a number of times! We also took a couple of tracks to the studio. But unfortunately we all went off to Uni. I went to study Philosophy at Leeds.

For my 21st Birthday this year I received a blue Yamaha APX700. I wanted it because it was blue and pretty, but luckily it sounds pretty good too!

It has always been hard to find the courage to perform and it has only been this year that I have starting gigging as a singer - songwriter! Most of the songs I perform are songs that I've written this year too!

When you listen to my music, I hope it seems clear what has inspired me to write my songs. Some people say that music is their life, but for me life will always come first otherwise my songs would be empty and meaningless. It is the trials and tribulations, as well as the joys and beauty of life that give soul to my music. I wouldn't be able to write without my wonderful friends and family. I wouldn't be able to write if I wasn't a soppy romantic fool! If a boy breaks my heart, then he is going to find himself in a song. :) The odd philosophical thought or realization also makes its way into my songs, and I like to think there is always a positive message or thought somewhere in my lyrics.

I always write about what is true to me. Most of the time it makes me feel better.

Steph. (Oct 2009)