Maria Taylor has released the new single “Darby Jean.”
The touching single, released on Flower Moon Records, was accompanied by a Facebook post explaining the song’s origin and focus:
A few years ago, this sweet, beautiful family in our community lost their baby girl at 15 months. They found out she had genetic condition earlier in the pregnancy, but still wanted to have her… even if she didn’t survive the pregnancy or If she only lasted one day in the hospital. The family already felt a connection and wanted to let nature take it’s course. They were treated terribly by doctors ( making them feel like they were wasting everyone’s time, like they were a burden.) Their baby girl outlived every doctor’s prediction ( by far) and touched them in the most profound way. A few months ago they came to me and asked if I would write a song for their baby girl. Her name was Darby. Darby Jean Rubin. She was blind and could barely hear but she kicked and smiled when they played her music. They wanted Darby to have a song that would be forever…. It was a true gift to be asked to write this song. I’m forever connected to this beautiful family and to Darby Jean. As much Joy and love Darby brought the to the Rubins, it was a difficult time as Darby needed 24/7 care. They were never told that they had options for help and it was extremely difficult to navigate while they were focused on Darby. Cindy ( Darby’s mom) is now part of a legislative committee here in California in an effort to change California state law to help families who need help in this kind of situation. It’s called Darby’s Legacy
Bad Dad (occasionally called Ed) has been on the periphery of the punk and punk-adjacent scene for over twenty years. While many contributors to this site have musical experience and talent, Ed’s musical claim to fame comes from his time in arguably the most punk rock Blockbuster Video district in NJ where he worked alongside members of Blanks 77, Best Hit TV and Brian Fallon. He is more than just an awful father to his 2 daughters, he is also a dreadful husband, a subpar writer, a terrible dresser and has a severe deficiency in all things talent… but hey, at least he’s self-aware, amirite?
Check out the pathetic attempts at photography on his insta at https://www.instagram.com/bad_dad_photography/
