When Darkness Falls talks about their dreams, tour

Written by Jeana Lucero

Wednesday, 19 August 2009 07:00


Sky Metal 2009, which was held this past weekend at the Sky City Casino in Acoma.

The concert featured national acts such as Ratt, Janie Lane from Warrent, Texas Hippie Coalition, headliners Queensryche, with the opening band being none other than Acoma's own When Darkness Falls.

In a huge tent backstage, sheltered from the sun and strong winds, the sound of Queensryche's Geoff Tate warming up his voice could be heard, as well as the hustle and bustle of other musicians and road crews getting things ready for each of the bands.

Members of Acoma's When Darkness Falls sat with me and talked about how they never, in their wildest dreams, thought they would ever be making it big in the music scene the way they have.

Consisting of six extremely well focused gentlemen, Brandon "Turtle" Valdo and Zachary Garcia on vocals, Larson "Dutch" Valdo and Rollin "Ro" Valdo guitars, Lawrence "Jay" Garcia bass, and Patrick "Bucky" Vallo on drums, When Darkness Falls are all related, being brothers, nephew, and cousins. All are self taught musicians, giving the credit to family members who have influenced them to actually pick up an instrument and learn how to play.

The love of music keeps them driven. Playing cover songs, just to get together and have fun , a hobby so to speak  escalated into them writing their own songs and putting together the music.

They've realized that they won't ever give up, and to follow your dreams while discovering new ways of playing. They say that they've also learned not to be embarrassed or discouraged by the negative things others think or tell you.

When things are bad, they can only get better. Now, When Darkness Falls is a well known band, not only in the United States, but overseas as well.

Recording under the Mysteria Records label, they have one CD, entitled "A New Defense," and will be returning to Optimum Sound Studios in California this fall to record new material, with Rob Tarango, a producer there, while Tim Griffiths, an executive producer, and James Anaya, in operations at Mysteria Records, will oversee things here in New Mexico.

The crowd went crazy when the band opened the Sky City 2009 show, with every person there involved and enjoying the music they were playing. The youngest concert goer was a mere two years old.

When Darkness Falls is moving up fast to bigger and better things on down the road.