Seattle-based singer-songwriter Payge Turner and Colorado musician/philanthropist Jace Allen has released their second collaborative single “Battleborn” along with a video that strikingly matches the poignant message of the track. The single is the second of two tracks from their joint project, this time benefitting Partners For Justice, a non-profit that works toward breaking the cycle of poverty and criminalization. Bringing together world-class players across styles, Allen and Turner sought to break barriers with their teamwork resulting in an anthemic track filled with strength, perseverance and fearlessness.
“Battleborn,” is cutting edge and brutal, a remnant of a time past mixed with the relevance of today’s pop. Turner’s voice soars while Allen’s enveloping vocals create the backbone for the song’s journey–a narrative about coming to grips with the world’s challenges, knowing well that many more lie ahead. Featuring veteran players like Divinity Roxx (Beyoncé), Brad Hargreaves (Third Eye Blind), JUNO (Camila Cabello, Bruno Mars), Akie Bermiss (Lake Street Dive), and Dave Immerman (Avril Lavigne), a release like “Battleborn” completes a story that “Underwater” began – that together, creativity and purpose can create change in our world. The lushness of the first single gives way to the fire of the second, burning into memory the freshness of this collaborative sound, and reminding us all that purpose drives the fire in all of us forward.
Payge Turner felt an immediate connection to the track and fellow collaborators, knowing they had landed on something special. Turner says, “When I first heard ‘Battleborn’, I was very excited about it. Jace sent me this beautiful rough draft that was so well structured. From the moment I started playing with the vocal part, I knew this song was going to be a game changer on the pop landscape. It’s not like everything you hear on the radio – it’s complex yet simple, and it brings a powerful message with real impact. It has been such a pleasure to work with Jace and the crew on this, a true collaboration on what has become my favorite song we’ve worked on so far. I’ve felt extremely grateful to work with such a talented and well-versed creative individual. “Battleborn” is about to shake some people up, and I am ready for it.”
On the video for “Battleborn.” Turner says, “The ‘Battleborn’ music video was an enormous blast to make because it was both laid back and fun. Jace and I had the opportunity to tap into what we were both comfortable with, which in turn made the process intuitive. The experience of working with such an incredible talent like Stephen Albanese of Tailstar created a scenario where we could truly bond, and through experience we created something that is a manifestation of us. In the end, it’s icing on the cake. Everything in the music video is us having a blast, we were allowed to be ourselves which creates an organic experience for the viewer. The proof is in the product, and the video is truly powerful in imagery and emotion.” Allen adds, “Payge and I wanted a dark and gritty expression of the song. With Steve Albanese at Tailstar, we think we came up with visuals that are just as powerful as the song itself.”
Charitable efforts are central to the pair’s artistic and individual goals. They have found common ground in wanting to give back to their communities, and this shared belief has grown into two powerful, meaningful creative partnerships. Their previous collaboration, “Underwater,” benefitted The Clean Slate Initiative, a non-profit that raises money for social justice reform and clears the records of those formerly in the prison system, who commit to staying crime-free. Previous singles Allen has released raised money for the Colorado Relief Fund and Breakthrough (formerly Defy Colorado).
“When Payge and I embarked on the “Underwater” project,” Jace Allen recalls, “We had no idea if we could create one good song, much less another. We found out quickly that our writing abilities meshed quite naturally and out of a project of one came another composition. It’s a much heavier and darker sound and we are really excited to see what our new-found audience thinks of it. As always, we are also delighted to partner with a great philanthropic cause, Partners for Justice.”
Explaining more about the meaningful efforts made by the organization, Allen adds, “Payge and I are excited to collaborate with Partners for Justice. Founder Emily Galvin-Almanza and her team created a program designed to ensure that every person in America has access to wraparound-services and a collaborative public defender. This means it is easy for people who are in crisis to access the things they need to walk away from the criminal legal system with their life intact–help with housing, support finding work, access to medicine and necessary treatment, connections to emergency resources, and access to education. We are proud to support them.”
Directed by Steven Albanese and shot in Palm Springs, CA, the “Battleborn” video bounces between color and black and white imagery–from various shots of the musicians in the desert to the studio recording the track. The message of the song, however, is profoundly reflected in the shadowy footage of contemporary social justice demonstrations.
All Bandcamp proceeds are directly donated to Partners for Justice and for every 100 individual purchases of the song, Allen will donate $1,000 personally, up to 500 downloads, and will do the same for every 10,000 cumulative streams, up to 50,000. Listeners may also donate directly at www.partnersforjustice.org/donate.
Payge Turner & Jace Allen passionately come together again as they combine their artistry and social justice in their own way. Stream “Battleborn,” out everywhere now, and join the march toward justice for all.
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