Survivors: a message of hope for the new generations
The official premiere of the song was this December 24, on YouTube and social networks, and has the outstanding participation of the winner of Got Talent Uruguay, Diego Coronel, and an unprecedented selection of almost thirty international artists.
“Survivors” is a humanistic song, created by composer and producer Juan Cristiani (# 1 on the US Billboard charts in 2017), and written and performed by singer-songwriter and activist, Sophia Angelica. “Survivors” brought together twenty-nine renowned artists from different parts of the planet, who merged their different creative sensibilities to give a message of hope and unity, in these moments of global pandemic, social isolation and uncertainty.
This song is a clear example that “music connects us despite distance and cultural differences”, Angelica and Cristiani agreed on this creative collaboration project. The musical process of this piece -which transits genres from pop to classic- was fully assembled and coordinated from the artists’ homes.
The technological challenge of articulating the voices, which was recorded, each from their cell phones, by ten children from the New York art school, Rybin Entertainment, is fully rewarded by hearing the final result that elevates the exquisite melody with a sensitive chorus.
“The musicians were given all the freedom to express themselves,” Cristiani explained about how the organic sound of “Survivors” was achieved. “With each artist who joined, the song changed and grew again,” stressed the Uruguayan producer.
“Tatita” Márquez, another Uruguayan
The tenor Diego Coronel, brand new winner of Got Talent Uruguay, thrills with his immense voice and musical sensitivity.
The bass of the iconic Guillermo Vadalá (Fito Páez, Spinetta, Alejandro Sanz) draws an elegant line between rhythm and melody, which is perfectly combined with the powerful drums by David Haynes (Stevie Wonder and Prince); the depth of the violin by Javier Casalla (Pavarotti, Bajofondo, Gustavo Santaolalla); the harmonious piano led of the composer Florencia Di Concilio; the acoustic guitars, American folk style, by Nicolás Bereciartua; the fresh percussion touches of Daniel “Tatita” Márquez and the heartbreaking voice of the gospel singer, Lee Taylor.
The young talents of the choir are: Kevin Chacón (Santiago of the Seas / Nickelodeon, Jessica Jones / Netflix); Jesús Del Orden (Kinky Boots and The Lion King / Broadway); Agatha Celleri (Orange Is The New Black); Adriana Del Orden (Gotham); Madison Kline; Julia Arredondo; Joshua Monge; Ari Vanunu; Katie Miranda and Lesli Hernández. The musicians gave their creative contribution: Ivan Macagno (electric guitar); David Stabilito (synthesizer); Paolo Farina, Agustín Simon, Sam Wahl and Marcel Benasus (arrangements).
The sound mixing was done by Max Scenna (winner of a Latin Grammy); and the cover art was a brilliant idea from artist Marco Melgrati.
The finishing touch to “Survivors” was put on by Bernie Grundman, who also mastered the best-selling album in the history of music: Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”; among other hits like “We Are the World” and songs by the great Frank Sinatra.
The letter
Survivors
The world suffers
He feels bad
So uncertain
What is going to happen
Let’s not lose faith
We will be strong
As survivors
We will win the war
Open your hearts
And their minds
With each other
We can recover
What we lost
We will find
They can’t divide us
Because we are survivors
Even though you’re isolated
You’re not alone
Despite the distance
We will fight with love
We will win the war
We will come back home
We are survivors
–
