The birth of DFM
Destined for Mars didn’t begin with a grand plan or a mapped-out vision. It started two years ago simply with a few unfinished songs sitting in a hard drive, half-formed ideas I’d carried with me for years. These were pieces of music that always held a special place in my heart, and musically I really believed in, but never really found the right time, headspace, or collaborative partnership to fully bring them to life.
That changed when Ryan Durfee and I began working together.
What started as a simple effort to resurrect some older ideas quickly became something far more meaningful. Ryan brought a depth, musicality, and sensitivity that reshaped everything. Suddenly the songs that had been stuck in my head for years began to breathe a new life. We finished a couple of those older songs and, without forcing it or rushing it, found ourselves writing new ones, music that felt fresh, honest, and aligned with who we are now.
We continued working consistently and as our collaboration grew, a chance meeting would bring Teressa Mahoney into our creative lives and after some really great initial songwriting sessions, and work on a couple of her songs, we asked her to join us on this DFM journey. Her voice, both literally and creatively, added a new dimension. Teressa brought clarity, emotion, and perspective that helped finalize what DFM could be: a true creative collective built on openness, curiosity, trust and shared intentions.
For many years, I’ve dreamed of forming a group like this. To explore the artist that was deep inside. A group formed with other like-minded musicians, other artists who were more interested in exploring genres and topics rather than chasing any musical trends. An outlet where we could explore the messy, beautiful experience of being human: our emotions, our questions, our hope, our faith, our search for light on dark days. A space where collaboration about expression and connection, with ourselves and with others.
The past two years has laid the fertile ground from which DFM can finally grow.
It’s still evolving, every week, and that’s the beauty of it. We’re learning who we are as a band as we create. We’re discovering new colors in our sound, new ways of communicating, and new stories to tell. But at the core, the intention remains the same: to craft music that feels honest. Music that carries pieces of our own personal experiences, and shared experiences, and hopefully some of it resonates with your experiences too.
This project is about more than releasing songs. It’s about building something that comes from a mysterious place deep inside. That mysterious and mystical place that’s inside us all and that connects us all.
Something that reminds us we’re all navigating this strange, incredible, sometimes confusing journey together.
We can’t wait for you to hear what’s been taking shape. New music is coming soon.
