TURNING CRISIS INTO CREATIVITY
In the past two years of societal lock down, and the ensuing venue closures and concert cancellations, Daring Greatly Band (DGB) found itself performing fewer and fewer live shows--sadly, it was just the nature of the beast. Undaunted, we refused to accept defeat, and turned this restrictive time into one of our most productive. The imposed periods of isolating actually gave us new freedom to create, and the time and space for concentrating on our songwriting and recording. What, at first, was perceived as an unwelcome home-bound sentence, actually manifested as an incredible gift!
We were fortunate to live in a perfect-for-us house in the picturesque Gird Valley of small town Fallbrook, California, high atop a hill, surrounded by nature, with inspiring views and a top-of-the world vibe. Surrounded by flora, fauna, breezes, and with dramatically-changing cloudscapes, and brilliant sunsets as our muse, we were presented with an open canvas to practice our craft.
“Something inside needs to decide should I run, sing, or hide. Across the divide, beyond far and wide, to the place in my dreams.” — Born to Fly - Gird Valley (2022)
GIRD VALLEY: INSPIRED BY NATURE
Gird Valley, our fourth independent album release, was inspired by our 70's retro haven of two years, the birthplace of our continuous live broadcast shows, The Quarantine Sessions, and our developing home-based recordings.
In the northeast corner of San Diego's North County, is a vision of fruit tree-covered estates, vineyards, and rolling hills draped in orange and avocado groves. Nature is the dominant energy, and that energy infuses the lyrics of most of the songs on Gird.
Gird Valley (2022)
Artwork by Jordyn Nikole.
Conceptualized by Brayden Tario.
The Daring Greatly home between 2020-2022 in Fallbrook, California. We have since moved on from the house up on Gird, but we will forever remember and treasure these precious moments as they changed this band, this group of humans, forever.
This is our tribute to the Gird Valley and we are delighted to share this part of our journey with you guys.
Nature--not the man made world, the government, or pandemic sanctions--would prove the most impactful to this work. Rather, we drew from all of the energies within our earthly hilltop ecosystem.
“As a young boy I saw all the green outside
City out of sight
All of my dreams
Born in the trees I swear
I can hear them singing in my heart”
— Unknown - Gird Valley (2022)
FREEDOM CALLING
Another dominant theme in the album is a call for freedom. Not in a political sense, but the transcendent form of freedom that calls us to cooperate on a deeper level, and especially with our self, so that we can collectively move out of this fog, this “mitote," and get back to our true and authentic essence.
“When I feel it’s time to get out of line, far beyond me,
I take to the sky and I am revealed.”
— Born To Fly - Gird Valley (2022)
Born To Fly, I Will Not, and Heartbeat of the World, all point to this freedom, underscoring that it is we who carry the responsibility and accountability for our freedom.
“That righteous voice of which I hear
To stand up and take my ground
I will not be pushed around
I won't stand here and listen to you say
To push me from your unpleasant way
…I will not”
— I WIll Not - Gird Valley (2022)
ALL ABOUT LOVE
Love is still a prevalent theme in this new record. Every song was written with the basis of love—love for nature, love for freedom, love for self and love for others.
Liam Croome, the 25 year old singer and songwriter says “I’m Not Alone was written about getting over the fear of heartbreak and reopening your heart so that it can give and receive love again. Realizing that your past relationships don’t define you or limit you to what you think you deserve. It’s about getting excited about the billions of possible connections that could come into your life once you realize that none of us are truly alone."
I see the light inside myself
And I can’t hide it from anyone else — I’m Not Alone - Gird Valley (2022)
Backside of the CD Sleeve
SPREADING OUR WINGS
In addition to DGB's own gifted brotherhood of writers and musicians, we are excited about, and have counted on, the recording and mixing talents within the band-- those of David Mills (electric guitarist), Brayden Tario (drummer), and our newest band member from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Matt Spatol (bassist).
We are grateful for these challenging times, that have stretched our artistic limits, opening us to some of the best work of our careers. And, the good news is that there is even more on the horizon!
Stay apprised of new song releases and our robust and exciting concert line-up at www.daring-greatly.com, and check out our Patreon subscription membership for special offerings, advance notices, and special merchandise at patreon.com/daringgreatly