Stephen Leonard had a passion for music as a youngster and his mom persuaded him to it. She signed him up for trumpet lessons and he played for a few years.
Then, in the mid-1990s, he discovered his mom's classical guitar under the basement stairs at his home in the Detroit area—and he found his calling.
"I was very self-indulgent [ at the time ] , listening to female singer/songwriters and coming to terms with my body and the idea of sexuality," said Leonard, now 25 and living in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood. "I picked up that guitar and wanted to sing and express myself like Alanis Morissette and Tori Amos."
The songwriter came alive in Leonard.
"It was really the best way I found to keep my thoughts inline and get to the core of what I was experiencing," he said. "So I started writing lyrics and attempting to sing them. And then I started sharing songs I wrote both in high school and college, and I felt this overwhelming connectedness and I really haven't stopped since."
Leonard is now a promising local musician, bound for glory. He's lyrical and vocal, with a nice acoustic-rock vibe.
His first single, titled "Still Say No," has its roots in California's Proposition 8.
"After Proposition 8 passed, I remember how horrible it felt," Leonard said. "I sat in my room thinking to myself, 'How could this have happened?" The day before, there was this positive energy in the streets everywhere that we couldn't escape when [ Barack ] Obama was elected [ President ] . But the moment it passed, that energy quickly disappeared for many of us. It was tough experiencing it in the Midwest and I couldn't fathom how those in California were dealing, and I really felt as though I could do something. But being in Chicago I knew the only thing I could really do was continue to say 'no' and stand up and get involved here."
The public has been saying "yes" to Leonard's No.
"I mean, it's no 'Poker Face,' but I think on a local level it can really allow for some to feel connected to this movement without being on the frontlines," he said. "I have no control over how many people listen to it, but I can at least contribute to some awareness and if that is the only takeaway from this, then I consider it an accomplishment."
"Still Say No" landed on the 13-track National Equality March compilation CD, an album with songs from various LGBT and supporting acts. The proceeds benefit Equality Across America and the National Equality March on Washington, D.C. The song has been the most downloaded of the 13.
"In my eyes, I think [ the march and the CD ] serve as another leg in this movement and support toward national awareness for equality," Leonard said. "I am very honored and thrilled to share my voice alongside other great artists who also stand for such positive change and action. I really hope the album does well.
"Still Say No" is available on iTunes.
"When I wrote 'Still Say No,' I remember daydreaming about playing it at a rally or protest; little did I think this song would play a bit part in the national movement," he said. "But, if anything, I think it's encouraging to know that if you push and allow yourself to be heard, you will. And sometimes such incredible opportunities arise."
Leonard said the October march in the nation's capital was, "incredible; a memorable and exhilarating experience."
"I had no expectations of what the turnout would be, and I certainly did not expect the numbers that they are still estimating," he said. "The most beautiful moment happened just minutes before the march. I was standing in McPherson Square was told to look up. So I did and in the clear, blue sky, we saw an intense rainbow haloed around the sun. It was absolutely stunning and it lasted there for a few minutes. I can't help but think of it as a nice, supportive gesture from the gods."
Leonard will release his first album, With A Pen, in mid-November.
"It's been a long time coming," he joked. "These songs have been with me for quite some time and I'm ready to give them a proper release. It has always been something I've wanted to do since I started writing music. And this year I really found a voice and confidence inside myself, [ so ] I decided to buckle up and just do it.
"The majority of the album was recorded in my bedroom. I moved this past summer and, until recently, I didn't have a bed frame, so I would push my mattress against the wall and created this little homemade-style studio. But the record itself consists of songs written over the past six years, surrounding personal experiences and self-discovery through relationships, politics and intoxication. I think each song has a reference of drinking and I'm not sure if that's a good thing or bad. The title track, With a Pen, is a song about taking experiences whether perceivably good or bad, owning them and letting them build the basic confidence to move forward."
Leonard has two local musical gigs, at Wild Pug and Mary's Attic. Wild Pug offering is "Unpugged"—an acoustic music series with LGBT and supporting acts. Leonard is the host and introduces two different acts every Tuesday—and each plays sets of almost an hour. "Wild Pug is a great venue and it's an incredibly fun time," Leonard said. "We have some very talented performers from the community. The lead singer of Sixteen Candles, Adam LeBlanc, will be performing solo with us next month."
Leonard's alliance with Mary's Attic stems from his passion for open-mic nights. "I met with Ashley, owner of Hamburger Mary's, and we brainstormed Mary's Spotlight: Open Mic Variety Showcase! It gives the stage to song, drag, monologue and comedy. It's currently scheduled once a month," he said.
Join The Impact Chicago is a local organization intent on building awareness of LGBT struggles, specifically marriage equality—and Leonard was aligned himself with the group.
So what's ahead for Leonard?
"I hope to continue to grow personally and musically and allow myself to be challenged," he said. "Next summer, I would love to perform at local festivals, such as [ the Chicago ] Pride [ Festival ] or Market Days."
More Stephen Leonard:
—College: Michigan State University
—Moved to Chicago: In 2006
—Status: Gay, in a relationship
—Hobbies: Burritos at 2 a.m.
—Musical influences: Alanis Morissette and Tori Amos. "I love anything with an emotional and nostalgic connection to it. Also, 1997 was a great year in music. Such good pop music."
—A memorable 25th birthday in 2009: "The National Equality March album was released on my birthday; this was the first time one of my songs was officially released on an album. And to have it part of this movement was in itself, a tremendous and unforgettable gift. I also performed a full set that night at Wild Pug. So needless to say, it was a very busy and fulfilling day."
—Favorite sports: Hockey, golf and lemon parties
—Favorite pro team: Detroit Red Wings
—Favorite pro athlete: "My mother named me after [ hockey player ] Steve Yzerman, so naturally my heart lies with my mother's decision."
—Favorite TV show: Golden Girls and Glee
—Favorite movies: Wet Hot American Summer and Once
—Superstition: "That women have two sets of teeth."
—Fan tales: "I have great friends who have been very supportive of me since I began sharing pieces of myself in college. They've stuck around and I've been fortunate to gain some new friends along the way. As for tales … hmm, I did have someone quote one of my songs to me during an intimate moment. As vain as I can sometimes be, I knew that I had to draw the line there."
—Playing for the Chicago Gay Hockey Association ( CGHA ) team, known as the Blackwolves: "I love playing hockey. I've been on ice skates since I was 4 years-old when my mother was building rinks in our backyard. I played for about 12 years back in Michigan and when I moved to Chicago I was hoping to get involved [ again ] . It's great playing with a group of like-minded and supportive guys. I think it's helped clear up those insecurities I had when I was younger and with sports."
—Web site: www.facebook.com/stephenleonardmusic
