Comprising James Richards on guitar, keyboards, and vocals, Mike McAlister on bass and vocals, and James’ brother, Paul, on drums and vocals, Divergent have been a long time coming but now they’re here, this trio are onto something special, and new single, ‘Runnin’ Free’, is a great way to show it.
James and Mike formed a creative partnership back when the pair were still in their teens, a love for music and performance that lasted all through high school, with their four-piece cover band, Chautauqua Road Band. They however went to separate universities, and adulting got in the way – but nonetheless, both of them had the “what ifs” in the backs of their minds. They reunited nearly 40 years later, bringing in Paul, and for eight years they played classic rock covers. Now they’ve decided, as a trio, to focus on their original music, and Divergent was born.
‘Runnin’ Free’ has been nearly 20 years in the making, starting out as a simple chord progression and syncopated rhythm, and adapted and reformed over the years, before James came up with the chords for the chorus, and Paul gave it the rock flourishes it needed, turning it into an anthemic tribute to rebellious young love.
Lyrically, ‘Runnin’ Free’ is filled to the brim with the anticipation, longing, and fired up adrenaline, synonymous with the classic rock anthems of the 70s and 80s, and with the soaring harmonies, strident guitar solo, and pounding drums, they perfectly capture that feeling of freedom, in a world that has no power to keep two lovers apart.
The music video for ‘Runnin’ Free’ was shot in Sweetwater Studios, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the same location that Divergent recorded their first two releases. They invite us into their process, giving us a fly-on-the-wall view, as they lay down the track and allow the magic to flow. It’s an intimate experience, and adds a further layer to an already great track.
You can watch the music video for ‘Runnin’ Free’ below, and find out more about Divergent and their music online on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
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