Today we’d like to introduce you to Deferred Dreams. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Somewhere adrift the crossroads of “Writer’s Block” and “This Can’t Be It”, two writers/music lovers and one music lifer collided. The three are the brains and grind behind Deferred Dreams, LLC (DDreams).
Roll back to March of 2020, when a pandemic isolated hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Except two. In that time of stillness and uncertainty, Trena Morton and Danah Johnson united over a love for feel-good music and writing. Their passion for the process of music-making grew from there with a contagious energy, spreading to Culver Rief. Steely with goals to inspire others, put music back in music, and help other independent artists chase their dreams, Deferred Dreams (DDreams) became an official record label in August 2021.
Our creative process is fluid and unbridled. We serve as guides for indie artists to find their space, voyaging though genres from country, gospel, rock, and electronic dance to R&B, hip hop, Christian, etc. Without long-term, restrictive contracts or breaking budgets, the team puts a focus on developing the independent style of each artist.
The DDreams program is about inspiration and education. Our goal is to build an artist’s focus and teach them the ropes of the business to help ensure they sidestep any common pitfalls within the industry. DDreams provides songwriting, production, engineering, marketing, recording, or all the above. We push start where an artist pushed pause.
As a small start-up business, our community plays a huge role in our endeavors. We partner with fellow creatives, most dreamers themselves, to ignite a holistic approach to our process: Lift and rise together.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
If the road is smooth, you’re on the wrong road! Every road has potholes, and every life has obstacles. Trena is in her early 40’s and a single mom to a 5-year-old genius non-verbal son. Trena’s light is always green and full of direction, which she passionately loves sharing with others. Regardless of how full and heavy her plate, she pulls up and shows up for people. Danah and Trena are full throttle amidst hustle culture, balancing Deferred Dreams with full-time corporate jobs.
Danah is a pure artist living a triple life as singer, business owner, and corporate employee. She leads with gratitude and the absolute best listening ear. Her discipline to balance fitness, three jobs, and a personal life, and with so much positivity, is nothing short of incredible.
While Trena and Danah are immersed in the daily grind, Culver makes it all work by filling in the time gaps the group needs to shoot this shot, as she just exited Corporate America. At almost fifty, having always done the textbook “right thing”, she’s now doing what “feels right” – sitting at the roulette table, betting on her love of words and her amazing gift to write.
We have faced obstacles and blazed through them. Not always on the first try. Or the fifth try. But you can’t quit. You must empower yourself to see challenges as opportunities to learn new skills for navigating future paths not yet imagined. Can that be exhausting? Yes. Absolutely. But as the adage goes: If you want to do something, you will. Otherwise, you’ll find an excuse and be standing in the same spot a year later.
Many years ago, Culver proclaimed to Trena, “You gotta change your mind to change your life!” They raised whiskey glasses and laughed. But it’s true. Time and mindset really are the biggest tools in the belt, alongside movement. Make the time, focus the mind, and go.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
We are music lovers looking to return to a place of feel-good music and build a safe platform for other artists to share their talent with the world. Music should stop and make you feel something. It shouldn’t just fill space in a forty-minute commute or stay in the background to drown out a feeling. It should stop and hold space with you, regardless of your mood. Music tells stories through beats and harmonies and lyrics.
Deferred Dreams is a team of three females chasing their deferred dreams: a music label specializing in teaching indie artists how to find their authentic sound and learn the business. We believe in community and artistry and supporting fellow dreamers and creatives along the way.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Talk to people. Every person you meet can be a great resource. From the guy sitting beside you at the vet to the girl helping bag groceries.
Engage with like minds as much as possible in meet ups, clubs, or other organizations. Check out the area by the door at local coffee shops and restaurants who support local businesses as there are often flyers and business cards pertaining to music teachers or other forms of art.
Georgia has over 30 local state schools with music classes. Try to connect with staff and students alike. See if you can audit classes. Many local colleges also offer night programs for continuing education. Look into your city recreation departments for programs. Callanwolde Arts Center in Atlanta offers music, dance and writing classes.
Contact Info:
- Email: ddreamsllc@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.deferreddreamsllc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deferreddreamsllc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deferreddreamsllc
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ddreamsllc
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkBd289WIaxeaaC0AyaIHCQ
- Other: https://vm.tiktok.com/TTPdPnUQVk/
Image Credits
Blissful Dreams Photography
