PREMIERE: Nate Todd – “Realize”

Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Nate Todd was born with activist thinking in his DNA. Raised by like-minded parents from the Vietnam War era, Todd has been along for the ride since the beginning – even photographed by a newspaper as a baby, capturing his family participating in the vigils for the nuclear weapon-carrying White Train passing through Nebraska in the 1980s.

“I realized that protesting was kind of at the core of my being, how I was raised, always taught to question things,” Todd shares in a press release. “And that has always kinda gotten me into trouble. People who ask questions or offer alternative thinking from the status quo don’t fare very well historically. They are discredited and cast as dangerous to society. Revolutionary Losers.”

An ode to this rebellious spirit, coupled with his prolific musicality and longing for social change, Todd is gearing up to share Revolutionary Loser, his debut full-length album out October 30th.

Today, GroundSounds premieres Nate Todd’s first single from the protest-inspired collection — “Realize,” a 60s’ tinged, psych-rock rallying cry that encapsulates perseverance in the fight for justice. In conjunction with the release, Todd is raising proceeds for American Civil Liberties Union to contribute to the fight against racial injustices, the climate crisis, immigrant mistreatment, and much more. Donations can be made through Todd’s official Facebook page starting tomorrow, September 18th, the same day the single hits DSPs.

“Although the past four years have been a shit show, it really seemed like the world was finally coming unglued this past March,” Todd remembers. “I think most of us have come to expect that every time we fall off a cliff, there’s another cliff on the horizon. It’s easy to sink deeper and deeper into despair, but it’s important to remember that we’ve battled fascism, racism and hatred before. The war is far from over, but ‘Realize’ is about knowing your enemy and also realizing that the people have the power. I hope the fact we’re witnessing the largest civil rights movement in history is a sign that we’re moving in the right direction.”

Listen to “Realize” below and follow Nate Todd on Facebook to stay up-to-date on Revolutionary Loser.