Offri un caffè a Mitchelle Tanner

I started singing and writing songs when I was in grade school, then putting together bands with my girlfriends in high school, covering all the best "dude" rock songs with our own twist. We were a ragtag group of bright, uppety girls who kept our grades up, but skipped PE to go play music through lunch break. Music was all we wanted to do. It was in our blood. It was our purpose in life. And the songs kept coming.

When I first heard the phrase singer-songwriter, when I was 17 and leaving home, everything jelled--that's what I was. I started seriously writing and performing solo at first, then as a duo, and eventually gathering bands of rock musicians to bring it all to life. In the mid-90's, I woke up one day after a hard breakup and asked myself what would I most regret not doing if I died today? Recording an album of my original songs was the answer. I had very little money, so I sent out a fundraising letter to everyone I knew. At that time, there was no GoFundMe and no one was fundraising this way yet to support their own independent music. I raised enough to get started, and an eye-popping chunk of money and months later, Dawn of the Night Flyers was born.  One of the best days of my life was opening that first box of CDs. (And again for the second CD, The Dark Horse Sessions, a few years later.)

The actual best day of my life was when my son was born. He's grown now and it's time to let him do his thang (and quit bugging him, as parents are wont to do), and find my way back to mine. And wouldn't you know it, the first new single is for him. If I were to die today, I would be at peace knowing I wrote the one most important song of my life. You can listen to that song, Innocence Wings, along with other new releases, here: www.nightflyersmusic.com/music.

I wonder where my ragtag group of bright, uppety grrls from high school is today. I hope, like me, they've continued making music. And to all you amazing young dreamers, writing and playing and singing your hearts out, rock on! Whether your songs are soft and gentle, or hard rockin' and brash, there's a place for you and your music, and people like me out here just waiting to give it a listen.

Thanks so much for your support, and for supporting independent music ❤️