Migratory Birds

It's been close to a month since I've been on the road. Soon I'll be going back to Bobbio Pellice, Italy, to rekindle a flame once bright. My musical journey under the banner of Daniel and the Sparrows began in the Alpen region of Italy more than 3 years ago. I never dreamt of being a full time musician (and in some ways, I'm still a little bashful about claiming to be one). The last three years have been riddled with euphoria, mountain top experiences, crushing discouragement, doubt, and wrestling matches with God and man. All of which have moulded my character and calling.

It's so easy to give up - to redefine my ministry to make my shortcomings and mediocre success more palatable. But I know God has lead me through this ongoing, seemingly endless desert for a reason. I will just have to grit my teeth, keep my head tilted up, and head towards the light. Though the road is rocky and impossibly narrow, God will guide my steps.

God has recently introduced a band of brothers into my ecosystem; TK, Immanuel Aziz, Eric Reyes, and Isaiah Nichols. Aptly labeled as the foreigners, these characters have caused me heartache and heart-warmth. I have learnt so much from their heart and talent for music and missions. I turn this post to them, to encourage and remind them that we are migratory birds heading home. It may be a long journey, over endless oceans and barren lands, with the occasional oasis to tempt us away from the ultimate goal. But don't look down, not for a second, because if we fix our eyes on things above we will find ourselves home, whatever that may look like to each of our ambitious hearts. I love you guys!

Regards from Singapore,

Daniel and the Sparrows

Live at Studio B

I'm still recovering from a 12hr long session in studio B with some of the best musicians I've ever played with. I recall the hours spent with Josh arranging music, praying that it'll be worth everyone's time, and now our live EP is gradually becoming reality.

Featuring 7 instrumentalists, Stephanie Lim, Joshua Lee, Sylvia Robin, Song Kim, Isaiah Nichols, Matthew Casiple, and Tyler Blohm, the currently untitled EP focuses on a period of my life where I'm getting used to the glare of post spiritual blindness. After a time of wrestling with cynicism, self doubt, and an ever shifting sense of identity, this EP speaks of the joys of finding solid ground in a world of chaotic fluidity.

Not only has it been a pleasure working with these musicians, it has been uplifting and cathartic. In hindsight, this EP was merely a by product of the relationships developed within a group of musicians meeting in a tiny apartment to tell stories (my sympathies to the neighbors). The true beauty lay in the lives of the individuals.

Of course the extensive efforts of Ryan McConnaughay, our sound engineer, Pavel Adamek, our videographer and his team, Reidar, James, and Joe should not go unnoticed. They saw us through several hours worth of face-palm worthy mistakes from us musicians.

Look out for Daniel and the Sparrows' upcoming EP, recorded live at Studio B.

Daniel Lim

Photo Credit (and slave elf): Gabrielle Torres

New Live EP

I've been working hard with a little help from my friends to produce a brand new EP that will be recorded live in Studio B on the 11th of April. While this is proving to be the most difficult, expensive, and passionate project thus far, this EP is also going to be the shortest album I've ever cut.

The Long year...

Finally, after writing, recording, mastering, getting frustrated, throwing away, rewriting, re-recording, remastering, and acceptance, the album is at its last lap. A shout out to Reidar who's working on the cover! This album is about spiritual blindness, something I've been struggling with for the past year. Please pray and get excited! There have been more people working on this album musically than all the other albums combined.

Creative Courage

It's getting colder here in Chicago. As I slowly edge my way towards the final product of an album, I realized I left my audience in anticipation with the promise of an earlier release date during the summer. It's now fall and I'm giving an update to anyone willing to listen. After the mastering process, I realized it was a project unworthy of public ears. So I took it back to the studio (my bedroom) and began writing new material and re-recording old songs. At last, that stage is over and I am in the final stages of mixing. A part of me is still anxious, afraid of being vulnerable, unnoticed in the ocean of already established songwriters. But isn't that what creative courage is? The deliberate and illogical act of vulnerable exposure, trusting God as the one true fortress of the heart. The counterintuitive decision to risk it all as Abraham did on his faith journey to sacrifice Isaac.