Husband-and-wife duo Nathaniel Paul Hoff and Jillian Speece, also known as The Bergamot, released their new single “Alive” on Monday, February 1st through Paste Magazine. “Alive” is the third and newest single from The Bergamot’s upcoming album Tones, set to release on February 11th. “Forget About Tomorrow,” featured on Baeble Music, and “Tones,” which was featured on idobi Radio, are the first two singles from the anticipated release.
The alternative folk band strive to create lively music with a positive, heartening message for their listeners, pulling influences from bands such as Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Dave Matthews Band, Joni Mitchell, and Pink Floyd. “Alive” is a delightful representation of these influences, whilst also delivering a significant moral of getting the most out of life.
“Sometimes the greatest way to feel alive is to just go forth into life blindly with the hope of learning and growing,” said The Bergamot about the single. “‘Alive’ really sets an optimistic tone to a life lived – not allowed to pass by.”
“Alive” is another song to add to the playlist you listen to when you want to dance around the room without a care in world, and unabashedly enjoy the moment. Instead of taking away from sound, the simple instrumentation builds on itself and each other to create an uncomplicated upbeat melody throughout the track. My favorite snippet has to be the rhythm of the guitar that first appears after the line, “And there are days I’d rather give in, but we’re alive, we’re alive, we’re alive.” Its thick tone is the perfect offset to the delicate tones of the keyboard that initiates the song. Similarly, Jillian’s soft vocals complement Nathaniel’s much broader ones very well. It’s easy to listen to the track on repeat for their singing alone. Additionally, there are little things that add a little flare to the single, such as the sound of a cowbell which is played during the short choruses; a minor aspect such as this still adds so much, because its brighter sound helps to bring the uplifting message to fruition.
It’s because of songs like “Alive” that The Bergamot have gained the attention of a number of popular magazines and website, including Buzzfeed, ICON Magazine, Brooklynvegan, Chicago Tribune, and many more. Not to mention, the group has opened for well-known artists All American Rejects, Young the Giant, and Ben Sollee.
Most recently, The Bergamot embarked on The Unity Collective USA Kickstarter campaign to raise money for their current “Unity Tour.” The money that was raised during the campaign is being used to manage the up-keep on the band’s Volvo, which has accrued over 271,000 miles over their years of touring, as well as document experiences and updates.
The Bergamot has decided to allow fans to sign the vehicle, allowing it to become a travelling symbol of unity. At the close of the tour on April 2nd in their hometown of South Bend, Indiana, the group will auction off the Volvo. All of the proceeds raised through the auction will go to Memorial Children’s Hospital.
You can listen to “Alive” on Paste Magazine’s website by clicking here. Tones will drop next Thursday, February 11th, on which you can find the single “Alive,” as well as many other catchy and enriching songs. For more information about The Bergamot, check out their website at thebergamot.com. A list of their upcoming shows are as follows:
Feb. 5 – Norfolk, VA @ Work
Feb. 11 – Clarkston, GA @ Georgia Perimeter College
Mar. 31 – St. Paul, MN @ University of St. Thomas
April 2 – South Bend, IN @ The Morris Civic