Singer and songwriter vet Inaya Day is back with a new hit song and will be returning to Chicago for Northalsted Market Days after nearly 10 years. Day has been in the music industry for more than 20 years and has recently come out with a cover of the '70s hit "Love Is in the Air," which is one of the songs she'll be performing at Market Days.
The record "Love Is in the Air" came about one day when producer Joe Gauthreaux and DJ Grind called Day on the phone and asked if she would sing to their version of the song. Day excitedly agreed.
Day, who has worked with Gauthreaux in the past, told Windy City Times that "Love Is in the Air" is a "feel-good kind of song" and said she, Gauthreaux and DJ Grind "had so much fun" recording it. When talking about what the record means to her, she went on to say, "To me, love is God [and] God is love. When I'm singing it, in my mind and heart, God is in the air. We're in tumultuous times and if you don't have some kind of foundation to hold onto you can fall apart." Day said she believes the best part of this song is that "it will bring some light to a lot of people."
When asked how she stays positive and upbeat in her music, Day credited her fans. "The audience knows when you're sincere and being honest and they feel that ... and that's what make them buy your albums," said Day. She went on to say that her vibe affects others: "You have to love and save yourself firstbecause you can't do anything for anyone if you're not OK yourself."
Day added that even though she thinks the world needs love right now, she believes society is becoming more accepting of the LGBTQ community. According to Day, "People have the right to express themselves now," which she said is one of the greatest weapons they can have. She then added that her hopes for the LGBTQ community is that the demographic "will no longer be a label and we'll all just be people. ... I don't think anybody should be separate."
Day went on to say that the decision to perform at Market Days wasn't a difficult one. "I haven't performed for Market Days since 2008 I believe, and every year in between I was at Chicago Pride, except last year. When they gave me a choice I chose Market Days since I haven't been there in so long and I have such great memories there," she said.
She went on to talk about her favorite Market Days memory: a picture from a Market Days show years ago in which she and a fan were looking at one another, both fascinated. "He was looking at me as if I were a unicorn," said Day, laughing. "It was flattering."
When asked what fans can expect from her upcoming Market Days performance, Day said that "they can expect my own gospel, booming voice out of this short body." Fans can expect a combination of Day's classic hits such as "Movin Up" and "You Are My Family" as well as new music. She also said that she might bring her dancers back to perform alongside her.
The festival will be held Aug. 12-13 on North Halsted Street in Boystown. ( Day will perform Aug. 12 ) For more information, visit Northalsted.com/marketdays .