Same Side Of The Sun

David Stanfill’s new alternative rock album is a deeply personal collection of ten songs shaped by real-world experience, introspection, and hard-earned perspective. While each track is written to be widely relatable—touching on resilience, empathy, doubt, love, and hope—every song also carries a specific, lived meaning behind it. These are not abstract ideas, but moments, realizations, and emotional turning points drawn from Stanfill’s own journey. What follows are the stories behind each song, told in the artist’s own words:

1. Half Made Me

I was drawn to the piano from a young age and quickly realized I had an unusual ability to absorb music simply by watching someone play. The melodies stayed with me through what felt like pure instinct—a kind of muscle memory that made creating music effortless and exhilarating. In college, a single reckless decision changed that forever. Not long after, I noticed my fingers no longer knew where to go. That instinctive connection was gone. The loss devastated me—it felt like losing half of who I was. Since then, making music has required far more intention and effort. This song captures the moment I looked at my reflection and mourned the part of myself that disappeared, while desperately hoping that magic might someday find its way back.

2. Same Side of the Sun

This song reflects the way we absorb headlines, opinions, and outrage, then use them to judge one another—forgetting that we are all part of the same human family. At its core, the song is about unity and choosing connection over division. Much of it was originally written in 2004, then forgotten until years later when I discovered fragments of it tucked inside an old piano bench. Hearing it again, I recognized something timeless and hopeful in its message—almost a hidden John Lennon–like spirit. I reworked those fragments into something new, and because of its optimism and heart, it felt right to name the entire album after it.

3. Somewhere I’m Clear

Life is loud. Responsibilities pile up, distractions multiply, and clarity becomes hard to find. This song is about the need to step away from the noise and reclaim focus. Between singing lead for two rock bands and running a business, my mind is rarely quiet. Songwriting is where I find stillness. Each lyric I write feels like an exhale, like setting something heavy down. The act of creating music resets my internal compass—it can change the entire direction of my day. This song lives in that sacred space where chaos fades and clarity finally shows up.

4. Let the Storm Pass By

The members of AXIS Five aren’t just bandmates—they’re brothers. And like brothers, we argue, clash, and occasionally hurt each other. After one particularly intense confrontation, I sat down and wrote this song in about twenty minutes. It was my way of draining the poison before it took root. Writing it allowed the anger to burn out instead of simmer, reminding me that conflict doesn’t have to define a relationship. Sometimes the strongest move is to pause, breathe, and let the storm pass.

5. I Stay Kind

“Stay kind” is a phrase I repeat to myself whenever emotions start to rise. It’s a personal discipline—choosing empathy even when I’m shaken or visibly upset. I’ve always believed people are imperfect and deserving of grace, even when they fall short. Perspective changes everything, and none of us truly understands another’s path. This song is a reflection of that philosophy. It’s about holding on to kindness in moments when it would be easier to harden.

6. I Must Have Been

For more than a decade, I’ve explored my ancestry and the stories hidden in family lines. The deeper I dig, the more I wonder how those long-gone lives still echo through mine. This song is fueled by imagination—questions about inherited traits, emotional tendencies, and the invisible ways our ancestors might still be shaping who we are. It’s a quiet meditation on identity, history, and legacy.

7. I Believe In

This song is about finding faith in my own voice. I’ve released albums with my band AXIS Five, but putting music out under my own name felt terrifying. Doubt crept in from every direction. Then someone said something simple but powerful: If you believe in the songs, that should be enough. That shifted everything. This song marks the moment I stopped questioning whether I was allowed to take that leap—and started believing I could.

8. Someday Clock

A friend of mine uses the phrase “someday clock” when talking about all the dreams people plan to chase—but never actually do. This song grew out of that idea. It’s about recognizing how easy it is to postpone life while time keeps moving forward. The song challenges the habit of waiting for the perfect moment, reminding us that someday doesn’t arrive unless we act.

9. The One Who Stays Around

My wife, Angie, thrives in a demanding career where the pressure to perform never stops. Watching her carry that weight with determination and grace fills me with pride. This song is my promise to her—an acknowledgment of her strength and a reassurance that no matter how intense things become, I will always be the constant at her side. Success means little without someone who stays.

10. One Normal Day

This song is pure, honest frustration. It’s about craving a break from the relentless pace of responsibility and stress—just wanting one easy, ordinary day where nothing goes wrong. It’s a small complaint, and I know I’m not alone in it. Sometimes we don’t need a miracle—we just need a moment to breathe.