DemoNation Winner #11: Fireside Shadow

What is up, Demo Nation!?

Today, we’ll be taking a look at Demo Nation Winner #10, Fireside Shadow, a multifaceted alternative rock indie musician. Reba, the woman behind it all, is a songwriter, singer, musician, music video director, editor, and artist (just to name a few). Hailing from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Reba is no stranger to the music world. She grew up with musician parents who instilled firsthand knowledge. “I didn’t want to be like my parents, I wanted to be different, an artist or novelist,” Reba said while talking about her upbringing, “but as I got older, I couldn’t deny my love of music.” So follow her love she did.

Like most young musicians, she started her first band at the age of 15. “No one took it serious,” she says while recalling the misfit teens’ practice sessions. While this first band did not work out, she continued to sing, write, and hone her craft.

In her early 20s, she started another band, Lucid Flight. This time, the band was more successful. They wrote original songs and played live in downtown Minneapolis. This is where Reba got a taste of live performance and a glimmer of the Rock Star life. Unfortunately, with a revolving door of band members, and disagreements on music style, Lucid Flight disbanded – though still very much friends with previous members.

From here, Reba started a duo project with a previous member of Lucid Flight called Desperate Moment. Since there were only two members, the music Desperate Moment created had to be made at home, with the help of a MIDI keyboard to play the other instruments. She worked full-time and part-time in order to get the equipment that she needed to create music to her standards. “When it’s something you love, the extra hours [of work] is worth it.” The duo produced three songs, Spinning, Three Minutes of Honesty, and Hopeful Alleys. But this was not enough.

With a background in video work, Reba set out to create music videos for each of these songs. Spinning and Three Minutes of Honesty can be found on her YouTube Channel – Fireside Shadow. The progression of her editing and eye for framing is apparent when watching these music videos from the start to her latest vision. Each video has incredible attention to detail and helps uplift the meaning behind the lyrics.

As it may be apparent, Desperate Moment disbanded a couple of years later. Now solo, Reba didn’t stop songwriting or creating music. Early in 2024, Reba created Fireside Shadow. Her first single, released in September of this year, Spider’s Eyes has been a hit in the indie music community, especially on Threads. And, of course, there is a music video accompanying the song.

Fireside Shadow has been on a nonstop roll with Ghost Towns released in October and Sammy releasing on November 15. Pre-save Sammy here and be notified of the music video here.

This is just the beginning, make sure to follow Fireside Shadow on her socials, @firesideshadow, to see what she is working on next – because there is always a next for Reba.

Watch the full video interview here

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Remember, Follow the Bunny.

By: Heather “Coon” Chuon