In 2009, Stars Go Dim released their debut CD, Love Gone Mad, which explores the cycle of love and loss. Audiences immediately identified with the universal theme and authentic lyrics. Stars Go Dim continues to creatively demonstrate pop sensibilities, multiple facets of their style and abilities in each song on their sophomore EP, Between Here and Now.
The first single, “Like I Mean It,” is a reflection inward and a challenge to make love more than just a word. The song was quickly embraced by radio stations in Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas then went on to national exposure as the song proved to be a crossover hit, garnering airplay on both mainstream pop and Contemporary Christian stations "Hesitate" is an up tempo single with an urgency and pop sheen that makes it perfect for pop radio while exposing another aspect of the band’s expanding sound. Stars Go Dim explores their acoustic side with simple melodies on "Now or Never" and an R&B sound on "Lose It", a track co-written with Evan Bogart (who collaborated on Beyonce's "Halo" with Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic). "Life Without You" was co-written with Grammy award winning and multi-platinum artist Richard Marx.
Stars Go Dim is more focused than ever, exploring the multitude of possibilities and opportunities. Their music can be heard on TV, film, radio, airlines, theaters, restaurants, and retail stores nationwide such as Hollister, Buckle, Kohl's, Nike, Old Navy. The videos, "Like I Mean It" and "Get Over It" can be seen on MTV and video programs nationwide.
In 2009, among thousands of bands across the US, Stars Go Dim won the Mayercraft/Ourstage contest and performed with John Mayer, Guster and OAR. In 2010, they won The Subway Fresh Artist contest and opened for Goo Goo Dolls at the 101.3 Jingle Ball in SF. They've shared the stage with Augustana, Daughtry, All American Rejects, Natasha Bedingfield, Paramore, Justin Beiber, Switchfoot and many more.
Their commitment to the fans has earned SGD a loyal following worldwide. As principle songwriter and guitarist Joey Avalos explains, “Music gets you in the door, but it’s really all about people and the relationships you build.” Communicating on Facebook, websites and spending extra time at each show to meet the fans has been central to the growth of SGD. Stars Go Dim recruited their fans to appear as extras in the video for “Hesitate” and submit pictures to be used in the cover art for Between Here and Now. According to Avalos, the title track is about “a moment in time where life becomes real, kind of like a snapshot in time. Without getting into clichés, we all have our ups and downs, but we have each other. There really is more to life than meets the eye.” In order to reflect the impact on those moments, SGD asked the fans to submit pictures from those special moments in time for use in the CD’s cover art. Fans responded with thousands of pictures which were used to create a mosaic as the new logo. As bassist Michael Wittig explained, “It’s literally thousands of moments in our fans lives, all rolled together into one.”
International non-profit organization, Convoy of Hope, has partnered with Stars Go Dim to help people through children's feeding initiatives, community outreaches and disaster response. The title track, "Between Here and Now", is the theme song that Convoy of Hope has adopted to bring inspiration to everyone.
“Between Here and Now” has all of the elements that have become a part of the band’s signature: thoughtful lyrics, a soaring chorus and a big hook that grabs you both lyrically and musically. Avalos says, "Stars Go Dim may seem to be moving in a more pop oriented direction, but that’s only natural as all of the members love pop music". There are two constants that don’t change, Chris Cleveland’s rich voice, which gives the songs their continuity, and the band’s relationship with the fans. Stars Go Dim will continue to be committed to their fans and write solid songs. The future is wide open and life is "Between Here and Now".