RISE
Q What prompted you to use the uncertainty and no road map theme in Dreams?
As we all get older, we all reflect on how our earlier plans and aspirations in life have actually turned out…the older we get the more we reflect (in my opinion)
Q Was there a direct personal experience that gave meaning to the message in the song?
The orginal singer in RISE was Steve Kinley (my twin brother). Steve died quite suddenly 2 years ago…we had plans together for years, then all things change.
Q How do you deal with your own times when you have no “road map” in life?
Good one; I’m a planner so for me, I work best to plan or an idea of where to go
Q Do you think, though, you have to pour lots of your own emotions into your songs when you write them?
100%, they are all from my life (good or bad). They do represent my feelings and my journey
Q You speak of someone who inspired and encouraged you along—was this based on one specific person or was it symbolic?
Family (and I mean close friends as well) is the key to me; we are a close unit, through good and bad times, so yes Family “holds me together”
Q The “no guarantees” line is a tough one. Is uncertainty ever a positive?
Yes, it really is. Although I’m a planner, I will take risks (an odd combination)
Q How do you weigh uncertainty against the drive to keep moving forward?
Uncertainty shouldn’t be feared and I’m a quite positive driven person…What will be, will be and I’ll deal with it.
Q Do you think Dreams is a song about seeking or discovery?
It’s more about dealing with change, life can be tough, very tough at times and how we pull through and get back up is the key point (help and support is the sub-theme)
Q Was there ever a period of your life when you ever felt the message of Dreams more than ever?
Yes, when my brother Steve died; I questioned everything and I mean everything
Q Was it more a letter to yourself when you were writing Dreams, or something to get to the masses?
Both, it’s 100% from me, but it also is a message of hope….things change and keep going
Q What do you hope listeners feel when they listen to this song?
I hope they pick up the overall theme and feel positive, yes make plans, but when life bites you, get back up and make new plans, still dream.
Q Do you view Dreams as something that evolves in meaning to you with time?
Yes, the older you get, the more you reflect
Q Has writing this song altered how you view your own dreams?
Not really, but I do think that dealing with change has made me think a little more reflective about life (way too deep now lol)
Q Something you’ve learned about yourself through working on this song?
I am more reflective about where I have come from
