Musical testimony of a former drug addict 6/6/12
A former drug and alcohol addict whose life changed dramatically after finding God tells his life story at two events in Stornoway this week.
Talented Steph Macleod found himself in rehab for homeless men with addiction problems. He had left his music far behind when drink and drugs got hold of him and he ended up living rough in Edinburgh and begging on the streets to feed his addiction.
In rehab he came to personal faith and his life was transformed. He now goes all over Scotland and further afield telling his story through song.
Martins Memorial church in Stornoway is holding an open meeting with Steph MacLeod at 7.30pm tonight.
At a mens’ dinner meeting in the Caberfeidh Hotel on Thursday Steph will tell more of his story and sing some more. Tickets for Thursday are £15.
Steph had once been a promising classical guitar student at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama but personal problems from his teenage years led him to escape using alcohol and drugs. These problems continued to grow and grow until they became his priority in everyday life.
During his eight months in rehab Steph picked up a guitar, for the first time in years, and began to write songs about his experiences of substance abuse and homelessness. It was the first time Steph had written songs and the first time he had really sung anything.
He was overwhelmed by the response from people who related to the challenges described in his songs about his downtrodden lifestyle.
Steph found great comfort and healing in both writing songs and his faith. After leaving the addiction centre in Edinburgh, Steph continued to write music and started performing in public.
A year later he had married and started a family which greatly influenced his writing. He began to network with other musicians and music lovers via the internet, and continued to travel to play gigs and various festivals.
With the help of friends and college students Steph was able to continue recording and performing around the UK. Through entering various competitions Steph was offered sets at festivals like The Retrofest, The Belladrum Festival,The Wizard Festival, and The Spratton Folk Festival. He also competed and won the 2009 Troubadour Acoustic Singer Songwriter competition in Berlin, Germany. Steph has also had his music used in Independent film and TV.
In the the last 2 years Steph has been performing both as a solo acoustic singer songwriter and also with his band The Whiney Shuffle. The 3 piece band consist of Steph, bassist Dave Biddulph, and drummer Si Walker. The Whiney Shuffle compliment the intimate, personal, and honest sound of Steph’s solo songs with bold beats, addictive grooves, and energetic performance.
Steph also writes and performs music that is greatly influenced by his faith. In 2009, and with the kind help of Origin Scotland’s Exile Band, Steph wrote and recorded a 12 track Christian album which is a personal account of his walk in faith and the impact it has had on his recovery from alcohol and drug abuse. Steph has also worked with Christian organizations like Origin Scotland, Open Doors, and the Bethany Christian Trust.