Front Row - Stars Go Dim

With hopes of pursuing a side project, Joey Avalos, from Phoenix Arizona, Michael Wittig, Riverside, California, and Chris Cleveland, Tulsa Oklahoma, never imagined they would be where they are today.

In 2007, Avalos (guitar) and Wittig (bass) asked their friend, Cleveland (vocals, piano, and guitar), if he wanted to write some songs to perform at a couple of shows here and there. Luckily, he thought it was a great idea and joined right away. As the intended side project started to progress into a full project, a Pop/Soul Classic rock band in Tulsa, Oklahoma was formed.

With a developing future ahead, the band needed a name. “One night we were trying to think of a name and out of nowhere [Wittig] said, what about Stars Go Dim?” Avalos said. “It didn’t have a real meaning at first, but it fit with us because it was where we were in our lives. Stars Go Dim is when the sun rises and it’s a brand new day. It represents new opportunities to start a new chapter in your life,” he added.

Although the band did not develop in an area where talent is most commonly noticed, such as a New York City, Los Angeles, Hollywood, or Nashville, Stars Go Dim let their songs carry them to recognition. “The people in the Midwest are so supportive. I think that [they are] more appreciative of new music because they do not have much to do. They really jump aboard and enjoy it. Tulsa is a great place to start and the music scene is really cool,” expressed Avalos.

When it comes to song-writing, Avalos is the band’s leader. After writing almost all of the songs on their debut album, Love Gone Mad, which was released in 2009, he was ready to write another. For their next album, “Chris and I wrote most of them,” Avalos commented. “We like to tell stories that don’t necessarily have to be true, but that connect with life. The songs are all about how you observe the world. Observing the world is inspiring,” said Avalos. For SGD, their lyrics fit with the beat of the music that has already been produced. “It really is a mystery,” said Avalos. “I can’t tell you how a song is written.” Avalos and Cleveland also worked with many songwriters including Evan Bogart, who has co-written “Halo” by Beyoncé and some Sean Kingston songs, in LA. “It is really a humbling experience,” Avalos said.

Right now, SGD is performing on what they call runs where they play three or four shows, take a couple of days off, and then play another three or four. “We are an independent band, so we have to tour smart,” stated Avalos. They are however, planning a tour to the Philippines.

With the support from their families, friends, and fans, Stars Go Dim has really been able to pursue their dreams. “We are a family first band. We do not put our careers in front,” said Avalos. Their families and friends always go to shows and are their #1 support groups. Knowing that the success of the music business fluctuates day to day, Avalos is proud to say that [their family] is a nice constant in this crazy business.” The fans are also very important to them. “They are everything; they are why we are a band,” Avalos remarked.

SGD could not be any more excited about the release of their new album Between Here and Now. “We really enjoy and believe in these songs and we really hope it connects with everyone,” Avalos said. In comparison to their first emotional concept album which was an ongoing love story, “this one is more upbeat. It is about living in and seizing the moment. It is about enjoying life and just being thankful for being alive. Life can get tough and you have to make sacrifices sometimes, but it’s about breathing fresh air and loving where you are,” Avalos proudly explained.

To give back to their fans, the album cover of Between Here and Now, is a mosaic made up of fan submitted photos. “It shows that they are as much of Stars Go Dim as we are,” said Avalos.

Besides performing for their families, friends, and fans, Avalos, Wittig, the group often visits children’s hospitals out of the goodness of their hearts. Aside from playing music, they also enjoy hanging out with all of the kids. “We try to put a smile on their face and we love that,” said Avalos. They have also teamed up with Convoy of Hope which is a faith-based organization with a passion to feed the world through children’s feeding initiatives, community outreaches, disaster response and partner resourcing, according to Facebook. SGD visited the kids in Haiti who belong to the orphanages that are being rebuilt because of the damage the earthquake had caused. “We see how they are living and it really puts life into perspective. We try to see what we can do to give back. It’s all about being thankful,” reflected Avalos.

Looking towards the future, Stars Go Dim just wants to have a great career. “We want to continue to have fun and not let it turn into a chore, because once it turns into a chore it becomes a job,” stated Avalos.