Then my own neurosis, and maybe being a libra gets in the way, and I can’t make up my mind. Rateliff’s ability to go from conversational coffeehouse mutter to roadhouse bluster has a similar dynamic command, and it makes the music feel urgent even when his lyrics don’t rise above. I just continue to try to write from a place of hope. When I was writing the record we were in the middle of a pandemic and our future looked pretty bleak. Says Rateliff regarding the album, “I look at the album overall as a big question. Rateliff has performed with a backing band called the Night Sweats for an R&B side project he formed in 2013. Coincidentally, Martin and Rateliff were both born in Missouri while Martin was raised in Colorado where Rateliff has lived for the past 20 years. Nathaniel David Rateliff (born October 7, 1978) is an American singer and songwriter based in Denver, Colorado, whose influences are described as folk, Americana and vintage rhythm & blues. In addition, Rateliff and Martin teamed up to release “The Survivor Fight Tee” to benefit The Marigold Project, Rateliff’s foundation dedicated to economic, social and racial justice. So, I tried to create fun little parts for them to play.” I’ve known the band for such a long time and they are such funny guys with real comedic timing. I tried to imagine what Raging Bull or Rocky might have looked like if Wes Anderson had dreamed them up. But I wanted to try and take a different approach to a classic story. Gutierrez adds, “As soon as Nathaniel sent me the track, the boxing imagery sprang to mind. He has an amazing eye and the ability to make you feel comfortable in front of any lens.” “I’ve always loved his work be it video or photography. Well, you just think that I'm Some great survivor And you just build upon The light to carry you Well, I don't even talk that way See I wanted you to stay and show you the world's a better place And as we crawl to find our way We even take the shape of something else You think that I'm just Some great survivor You think that I'm just Some great survivor I'm afraid that the weight of the world.
“I’ve been friends with Brantley for years and we have been talking about making a video like ‘Survivor’ for 14 of those years,” notes Rateliff. Following its release last week, “Survivor” is currently the No.1 most added track at Triple A Radio as well as No.3 most added at Alternative Radio.