“I’ve made it no secret that I believe songwriter Nate Leavitt is one of the most gifted musicians in the Boston music scene. I witnessed Leavitt bring a capacity audience of strangers to their knees. That’s a special kind of power.” – Ryan Spaulding, Ryan’s Smashing Life
FOR RELEASE MAY 13, 2021
BOSTON (May 5, 2021) – On May 13, Nate Leavitt releases the single “Hope You’re Doing Well” in tandem with Mental Health Awareness Month. Written during the pandemic, it acknowledges the isolation and loneliness that profoundly affected people around the world and impacted the mental health of so many. The song provides a source of comfort, reminding listeners they aren’t alone.
The opening line, “The fear in my heart, the fear of my heart, I don’t feel okay.” starts a dialogue about it being okay not to be okay. The chorus, “Hold on, you’re not alone. As we turn out the lights, I hope you’re doing well tonight,” speaks to others as much as to Leavitt himself. It was by chance that the song’s lyrics “You’re not alone” were the same as the National Alliance of Mental Illness’s motto, “You Are Not Alone.” Leavitt says, “I don’t technically suffer from any mental disorders. However, the song speaks to my anxiety, fears, solitude, and how I cope with it through making music.”
“Hope You’re Doing Well” came out of a day while teaching remotely. Leavitt played around with an idea on the ukulele before the lesson. When his student joined the call, she asked what he was playing and if she could learn it. He taught her how to play the idea and then forgot about it. Surprisingly, about a month later, she posted a video of herself playing the song and, in the end, said, “I hope everybody is doing well tonight.” Watching her play and hearing her message inspired him to write the song.
Due to the pandemic, Leavitt primarily collaborated remotely and recorded in various places, including his home studio and Henley Row. This also included enlisting his musical partner Dan Nicklin. When the song started to take shape, Leavitt turned to Nicklin to finish writing it. Leavitt says, “Dan isn’t afraid to challenge my songwriting. He motivates me with his enthusiasm. Some nights I was incapable of doing anything, let alone write a song.” Nicklin also added percussion and backing vocals, and Dan Cedarholm contributed on drums. Matt Odabashian rounded out the sound on piano and organ.
About Nate Leavitt
Over the past 30 years as a musician, Leavitt played in several bands, including The Blizzard of 78, OldJack, and Parlour Bells, before emerging from the side of the stage. Since his debut solo album, You, Me and the Silence, in 2014, Nate Leavitt has received three Boston Music Award nominations for his solo project and as a leader of the band Nate Leavitt and the Elevation. Additionally, Leavitt has been involved with The Underwater Sunshine Fest, co-coordinated by Adam Duritz of Counting Crows. Throughout his career, he’s opened for bands including Coldplay, Snow Patrol, and Ronnie Spector.
###
Praise For Nate Leavitt
“an emotionally stark, bare-bones affair that puts his plainspoken, plaintive voice squarely front and center.” – The Boston Globe
“Try to keep yourself from weeping quietly in your cubicle at work – these songs are beautiful but they’ll sock you in the gut.” – Jed Gottlieb – The Boston Herald
“Nate Leavitt resurrects the ghosts of folk in order to re-find himself.” Michael Marotta – Vanyaland
“Nate Leavitt has a way of comfortably ripping your heart out.” – Brian Carroll – Red Line Roots
