Adam Brooks is a Nashville, Tennessee native. Penning four out of the five Alta tracks, the Ohio State English graduate continues to establish himself as a song-writer and vocalist. Originally making the move to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career, Brooks started playing music for fun with a couple friends, including Andy Fischer-Price, and formed a band called Mr. Adventures. Adam listened to a lot of country music growing up, being the son of a studio session guitarist in Nashville. He also attributes a lot of his musical inspiration to The Beatles, Black Keys, Interpol, and Radiohead.
Andy Fischer-Price was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. Like Brooks, he also moved to Los Angeles to become an actor, though he'd studied music since age nine. Through the Northwest Choirs he learned everything from Bach to Bill Withers and developed an ear for harmony. He picked up electric bass in high school and started writing songs for his first band at fifteen years-old. His current influences include the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Fleet Foxes, My Morning Jacket, and "probably around 100,000 other artists." It wasn't until a few years ago that he considered music to be a viable career path but now he could imagine doing nothing else.
Hailing from Heath, Texas, Allie Gonino got her start in music after a chance encounter with The Dixie Chicks in 1994. At age seven, she began taking classical violin and ballet lessons, and by age ten was performing professionally throughout the Dallas area. Allie, or "Sal" as the band often refers to her, grew up listening to a wide variety of artists such as Fleetwood Mac, Michael Jackson, The Eagles, The Beatles, Alanis Morissette, and Tchaikovsky. Once she moved to Los Angeles, she began acting, and made the leap from country to mainstream pop music. She toured with girl group, The Stunners, as the opening act on Justin Bieber's 'My World Tour.' However, radio didn't take a huge interest in the group, and once Allie booked a series regular role on The Lying Game, the girls decided to call it quits. Shortly after, Mr. Adventures also disbanded, and Allie, Adam, and Andy were left to start fresh as The Good Mad.
Alta is now available on iTunes and online, and next year, the band plans to release another EP entitled Strangeworthy. This will be a composition of all The Good Mad songs featured on The Lying Game. And as for the band name? Allie: "There is madness in all of us. We have the choice to use our madness to create something for the good of all and illuminate the ugly truth in a beautiful way… or to divide and conquer. This music is our attempt at the former."
Stepping Stone
The Good Mad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Was it forth giving all I gave?
In the wake of all the worry
Through the pain, I must be learning
I'm afraid I've seen the light
And I'm only wasting time on something that never was
Will never be innocent all because
I'm on a stepping stone(Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh x2)
Like a bird I used to fly
But the wind is a wild one
Lately I've built a wall and it's hard to trust at all
Many moons will come to pass
And a love that's built to last, will find it's way to me
Now I'm free to be
On a stepping stone
I'm on a stepping stone (Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh x2)
On and on I run, when all is said and done (Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh x2)
On a stepping stone
I'm on a stepping stone (Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh x2)
On and on I run, when all is said and done (Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh x2)
Oh, oh, oh, oh x3
The lyrics to The Good Mad's song "Stepping Stone" explore the emotions felt after a difficult breakup or loss. The singer is looking back at the relationship and questioning whether it was worth all the effort put into it. He wonders if all the emotions and energy he invested in the relationship were worth it at the end. However, recognizing that all experiences, both bad and good, teach us valuable lessons, he consoles himself with the knowledge that through the pain, he is learning.
The metaphor of a "stepping stone" is a representation of the journey of self-discovery and healing that he is undertaking. He acknowledges that it will not be an easy road, but compares it to when he used to fly like a bird freely. It is as if he is working through his pain, acknowledging his loss, and taking small steps forward until he eventually finds the right path for himself. At the end of the song, he says that he is "on and on [he'll] run", indicating his determination to continue moving forward despite the challenges that lie ahead.
In summary, the song describes the process of moving on, the realization that the past cannot be undone and accepting that some things are not meant to be. By accepting things and moving forward, there is an opportunity for growth and self-discovery.
Line by Line Meaning
At the bottom of the fall I wonder
I am at a low point in my life and I am questioning my decisions.
Was it worth giving all I gave?
I am unsure if the sacrifices I made were worth it.
In the wake of all the worry
After experiencing many sources of anxiety and stress,
Through the pain, I must be learning
I am enduring hardships with the hope of gaining wisdom.
I'm afraid I've seen the light
I have come to realize the truth about a situation, and it scares me.
And I'm only wasting time on something that never was
I am spending my effort on something that doesn't exist or never had a chance.
Will never be innocent all because
This situation will always have dark consequences.
Like a bird I used to fly
I used to feel free like a bird,
But the wind is a wild one
But now the world is unpredictable and unstable.
Lately I've built a wall and it's hard to trust at all
I have been hurt and am having difficulty trusting others.
Many moons will come to pass
It will be a long time before things get better.
And a love that's built to last, will find it's way to me
Eventually, I will find a lasting love that is meant for me.
Now I'm free to be on a stepping stone
I am free to move forward and progress in my life, even if slowly.
On and on I run, when all is said and done
I will keep moving forward despite the challenges and hardships.
Oh, oh, oh, oh x3
Musical interlude.
Writer(s): Bobby Hart, Tommy Boyce, Stephen Grimes, Peter Hooton, Keith Roger Mullin, Carl James Hunter
Contributed by Dominic G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.