We all know that 2020 was a year for the books. The world locked down and life as we knew it was changed forever. In a time of such strife and uncertainty, things can feel hopeless as we are forced to detach from our friends and family and operate life in a world we’ve never encountered. Little did we know going into last year, that the people of the world, although separated, would lean on each other for support more than ever before. Be the Beacon is our first beer in our 2021 Springdale Hazy IPA series, and carries the perfect message to start the new year off with. Inspired by a fan submission, “Be More Kind” by Frank Turner is a soft tune that talks about being a lighthouse in a world of dark. “Like a beacon reaching out to you and yours from me and mine, be more kind my friends, try to be more kind.”
Listen to “Be More Kind” and more on our playlist here: Springdale 2021 Playlist
Such a beautiful, delicate song deserves a beautiful and strong label to truly do the song and its message justice. When I first started designing this label, I drew inspiration from various elements like the album cover, song style/ sound, lyrics, and most obviously, lighthouses.
The album cover was exactly what I imagined it would look like. Like a doodle in a notebook, the art was slender and delicate as if someone in one swift motion drew this light sketch that carried a strong message.
I loved the idea of a sketchbook with light flowy lines, so I used that as inspiration but threw in my own twist and turned the background dark. For the main visuals I wanted to keep the look of the sketched art, but add in pops of color. For the light rays, I mainly used pinks, yellows, reds and oranges which feel hopeful and warm in comparison to the dark navy that lies underneath. My goal was to represent the message that in a world of dark, you can be that kindness and that warmth for someone. “Be More Kind” is a beautiful song with a great message about how a little kindness can go a long way. We hope you enjoy this beer and the track that inspired it.
Be More Kind
History’s been leaning on me lately;
I can feel the future breathing down my neck
And all the things I thought were true
When I was young, and you were too
Turned out to be broken
And I don’t know what comes next
In a world that has decided
That it’s going to lose its mind
Be more kind, my friends
Try to be more kind
They’ve started raising walls around the world now
Like hackles raised upon a cornered cat
On the borders, in our heads
Between things that can and can’t be said
We’ve stopped talking to each other
And there’s something wrong with that
So before you go out searching
Don’t decide what you will find
Be more kind, my friends
Try to be more kind
You should know you’re not alone
And that trouble comes, and trouble goes
How this ends, no one knows
So hold on tight when the wind blows
The wind blew both of us to sand and sea
And where the dry land stands is hard to say
As the current drags us by the shore
We can no longer say for sure
Who’s drowning
Or if they can be saved
But when you’re out there floundering
Like a lighthouse I will shine
Be more kind, my friends
Try to be more kind
Like a beacon reaching out
To you and yours from me and mine
Be more kind, my friends
Try to be more kind
In a world that has decided
That it’s going to lose its mind
Be more kind, my friends
Try to be more kind
