My Daughter Flora

If you haven't heard, my daughter Flora is amazing.

Flora is my second child, born in 2007 in Topeka, Kansas. Flora has always been quiet and reserved, but under the surface is a never-ending stream of creativity. She’s always filled journals with cartoons, self-made comic strips and poetry. And she almost always has a musical instrument in her hand.

It was when I was helping her clean her room last year (right as the pandemic began) that I came across one of her journals that stopped me in my tracks. I try not to be a snoopy dad, but I needed to see this. I know middle children often get overlooked. I had always vowed to never let this happen with my own kids, but as I read Flora’s words it was quickly obvious that she was feeling ignored and forgotten. Her grades had dropped off and she had been pretty withdrawn, but I had just assumed that was normal 13-year-old stuff.

That’s when the lightbulb went off. I’ve been in bands my whole life, and over the years have transitioned to making commercial music. Now it was Flora’s turn. A few short days later, we recorded the song ‘Keep Calling’ in my studio. Flora’s 16-year-old brother Isaac (a prodigy in his own right) got involved with programming the drums, samples and mixing and mastering. As we played the song back over the monitors I was shocked at how … perfect ... it was.

Now with proof of concept, Flora and I kept writing and recording a new song every month or two until we had enough songs to release her first EP. The five songs included on the ‘Keep Calling EP’ are not only a testament of a reclaimed bond between father and daughter, but also a time capsule of Flora’s 13th year alive. And what an insane year it was. Flora went through being stuck at home away from her friends and school, a rough break up, a COVID scare, and general bouts of depression and anxiety.

But making and releasing music has given her a voice. She now knows she is heard and is valued. I wasn’t expecting the result to be so incredible, but Flora’s music is compelling. A couple weeks ago at parent/teacher conferences, Flora’s mom and I were told her teachers have seen a dramatic change in her confidence and that her grades have drastically improved. Maybe the music is just the icing on the cake?

For more on Flora, including ways to hear her music, check out FloraFromKansas.com

- Dan Billen, 4/21