Dawn & Hawkes Shine with Their Latest Album, "Light Inside"

In the heart of South Austin, where the music scene glows with creativity and community, Dawn & Hawkes are gearing up for the release of their upcoming album, Light Inside. The husband-and-wife duo, Miranda Dawn and Chris Hawkes, personify the spirit of Austin’s vibrant, independent music scene, crafting, producing, and capturing a sound Texas Monthly calls “undeniably intimate” from their humble home studio. For this album, though, they ventured out of the nest and recorded at the legendary Arlyn Studios, situated in the bustling center of the city.

Their family band adds a dynamic sense of interplay, connectivity, and collaborative expression to their live performances. The lineup features Miranda’s father, Chico Oropeza, playing drums and mandolin alongside their longtime friend and collaborator, Zeke Benenate, on bass. This close-knit quartet often travels with “Momma Polly,” who not only manages merchandise but also injects a sense of fun – ensuring that strings of shows feel more like a family "tourcation." Rounding out the crew is their beloved nine-year-old dog, Roadie, who sports a faded red cowboy bandana, occasionally making delightful surprise appearances on stage to charm the audience.

Dawn & Hawkes infuse their songwriting process with themes of free feeling fun,while maintaining a remarkable sense of groundedness, authenticity and deep emotional resonance. Their lyrics bravely convey the raw emotions of life, encapsulating the joyous highs and the challenging lows of love. All their lyrics strive to uncover light amidst the darkness.

“Songs of introspective bliss, this singer-songwriter team genuinely helps the listener feel the spirit of life”  
- Performer Magazine

Miranda likens this creative journey to “catching a shooting star or holding a lightning bug in a jar,” marveling at the beauty of these fleeting moments before sharing them with the world to illuminate the hearts of others.

Their love story – which began over a decade ago in a quaint blues bar in East Austin, when Chris asked Miranda to dance – blossomed into a serendipitous partnership that has become a vibrant, seamless blending of their talents as both songwriters and performers.

“Outstanding musicians individually, they are absolutely magical together.”  
- Houston Press

After a decade of making music together and releasing original material, Dawn and Hawkes wanted to capture a mostly live album, in-studio and on video.
Director and video producer Jeff Arnold filmed their recording sessions, capturing live performance videos of seven songs recorded in one day at Arlyn Studios, and a live capture at Miranda’s parent’s house aptly titled Father’s House. Each video offers listeners an intimate, up-close experience, allowing the viewer to feel as though they are right there in the studio, as the songs come to life.

Photographer Melanie Secor captured the day in timeless black-and-white, photo-journalistic images that showcase magical moments and memories from the day.

Light Inside features creative contributions from talented friends: Mike Donello on congas (from The New Essentials, of which Hawkes is also a member), Clint Simmons and Trevor Nealon on drums and B3 organ, respectively (both full time members of Austin group The Band of Heathens). Their contributions fill-out tracks like "Need Love," and “Almost For A Minute”, add danceable grooves to
"Corina” and "Over My Head," and elevate "Shining Brightly," in a way that takes listeners to church. Each of these collaborative artists shines throughout the record, infusing it with their unique energy and “light”.

Listeners can expect to find themselves singing along to the catchy and deeply personal tracks that linger in their minds long after the first listen. The album features standout songs such as "Even the Darkness," which lyrically navigates the intricate dance between shadows of our lives, as well as "Father's House," a heartfelt homage to Miranda's profound ties to the vibrant Austin music scene. Each track unfolds a story that reflects the duo's genuine experiences and emotions.

Miranda shares that the atmosphere in the studio was imbued with joy, inspired by the synergy of their collective efforts. Dawn and Hawkes songs encourages audiences to cry, laugh, dance, and fully embrace life, reminding us all that this journey is a precious one meant to be shared with others.

Even in the darker moments, their music radiates warmth and hope, inviting everyone to find a space where they can shine brightly and feel a true sense of belonging. With "Light Inside," they remind us that we are all interconnected through the universal language of music, illuminating our shared human experience in a way that resonates deeply with all who listen.

All photos by the light catcher: Wild Sparrow Photo Co.

Hear the new album: https://vibe.to/lightinside