Whenever one moves to a new city, state, or even just from an apartment to a house, there is a sense of excitement mixed with an underlying fear; what you knew, what was familiar is now the past as you move forward to new beginnings and unknowns – but it’s something that has to be done in order to grow personally, professionally or both. That period of realization is exactly what Nashville-based Americana artist Szlachetka addresses in his new single “Lifeboat” premiering today with The Country Note. Listen here.
Written with longtime friend and collaborator Tim Jones (Whiskey Wolves Of The West/ Truth & Salvage CO), the pair reminisce about their love of living in and for the city of Los Angeles in general before packing up to move to Music City.
“It’s a song about nostalgia, honoring the past but also moving yourself forward and persevering to the future,” says Szlachetka. “Everyone has a lifeboat at some point to keep them comfortable and safe, but at some point we all have to let go so we can keep moving forward.”
“I guess I finally have to let go of this lifeboat
‘Cuz there’s another ship waiting to set sail
I know I’ll miss the beaches and the soul of the dirty concrete
But I’m leaving California all by myself”
Produced by GRAMMY-winning producer Scott Underwood (Drummer/ founding member of TRAIN) and recorded at Blackbird Studio A and Thunderwood Sound in Nashville between June 30 – July 12 of 2019, “Lifeboat” also features Jimmy Wallace (Joe Walsh/ The Wallfowers) on keys, Christian Wood (Sara Evans, Leigh Nash) on upright bass, Julio Diaz (The Mavericks) on Trumpet and Craig Ferguson on lap steel.
Szlachetka also released a music video to accompany the single. As he moves through new stomping grounds in Nashville, Szlachetka walks around with a blowup boat – bringing the figurative lifeboat literally into the song. He is then joined by Jones and the two are spotted in different areas of the city performing while in their “lifeboat.” Edited throughout the video are vintage images of oceans, a Mariachi band and other scenes of LA, alluding to their memories of their old home. The video ends with Szlachetka walking away from the water, leaving his “lifeboat” behind.
“Lifeboat” is the second single released from Szlachetka’s upcoming 11 song album Young Heart, Old Soul, following “Bullet Through The Wind” (released on May 8).
For more information on Szlachetka (pronounced Sla-Het-Ka), visit his website https://szlachetkamusic.com and follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.