Jon Stojan
Image credit: Dan & Faith
Trans youth are facing an uphill battle. Every day, changing legislation puts their futures at risk. Amid a world of chaos, one song is breaking through, offering hope, acceptance, and encouragement to guide the way. “My Name is George” is the newest single from the beloved modern folk duo Dan & Faith. The artists are known for their folk-like music that masterfully interweaves flawlessly haunting harmonies with classic instrumentals, creating a sound that’s uniquely their own.
Dan & Faith are using their platform to promote a cause that’s near and dear to their hearts: the trans community, and more specifically, trans youth. “My Name is George” fearlessly tackles the journey of a transgender boy, facing it head-on with refreshing yet heartwrenching honesty. It lays bare the thoughts, emotions, fears, and desires trans youth face when choosing to live their truth and show their authentic selves to the world.
When asked about the motivation behind the song, the duo shared that it was meant to be a catalyst for acceptance, a bridge trans youth could use to open eyes and transform hearts. “We hope this song inspires parents to love their kids unconditionally and for people to support trans friends and family members,” they stated. “Trans folks already have a tough road ahead of them, and in the current political climate, they are undergoing active persecution across the country.”
The poignant words within the song are already getting noticed. “My Name is George” is a finalist in the 2024 South Florida Folk and Acoustic Music Festival Songwriting Contest, an acclaimed competition where artists can debut new music. It’s no wonder this heartwarming single is making so many waves and winning hearts. Along with the world-class vocals and instrumentals, it was produced by Joe Jencks, international troubadour, with engineer Mark Dann of Woodstock, NY. These two industry veterans have hundreds of highly successful songs under their belt, making their role truly invaluable. As if these two rockstars of the music industry weren’t enough, Charlie Pilzer at Tonal Park Studies, the Grammy-winning engineer, also helped master the single.
The namesake album “Who We Are,” from which this meaningful single is from, is also receiving acclaim worldwide. From Bill Copeland, a well-known music critic who called it a “flavorful masterpiece loaded with a lot of fun, folksy, sing-along music,” to Worcester Public Radio’s Nick Noble, who hailed it a “triumph,” “My Name is George” is set to be one of the most influential songs of the modern age. Being a voice for trans youth in a world where they are often silenced is a powerful role, but Dan & Faith took up the challenge with “My Name is George,” a song that promises to be truly life-changing for one of the world’s most marginalized communities.