“We all embrace a sense of love for the human qualities that we share, and which unite us.” – Laurie Raveis
Songwriter duo Raveis Kole (Laurie Raveis '85 and Dennis Kole) is excited to announce the release of their new song, “Help One Another (We All Can),” as a beacon of hope for worldwide communities during challenging times we sometimes face. Written this past spring, at their home in Washington state during the COVID-19 national lockdown, the two turned inward to reach for an answer. They dug deep into their musician well to create a song filled with hope, love, and encouragement for all of us. This powerful song was produced and arranged by Raveis Kole and Jeff Silverman, both physically and virtually, lifting to the heavenly chorus at the end.
This was released via their digital platforms on June 19, along with a lyric video created by Heiko Gentsch. Check it out: https://youtu.be/hiReIOMr0S8
"Songs such as 'People Get Ready' and 'What’s Going On,' reached out across the divisions within our society to deliver a positive message of hope and comfort,” said Kole.
“Help One Another (We All Can)” was written and recorded at their home studio in Bellingham, WA. They tapped into sounds of the past and present of pop, folk, and country recalling voices and songwriting legends like Cat Stevens, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Carol King, and Crosby, Stills, and Nash, who share the same sentiment as them. Another song reference would be the 1970 Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson classic, “Reach Out Touch Somebody’s Hand,” sung by Diana Ross and others.
During the quarantine, Raveis and Kole decided to schedule an “agenda-free” session every day at noon to keep their creative juices following. “In the initial weeks, I wasn’t in the mood for any structure; just space and room to process,” reflected Raveis. These sessions would range from necessary practicing, exploring sounds and techniques to finishing songs. The couple let that time be what it needed to be, “allowing the space for whatever arose.”
And what arose was poetic; “'Help One Another (We All Can)' encourages us all to reach out and connect to our community, whether it is on your street or across the country," they said in their press release. The couple admits after a few weeks of darkness, a song fragment came into light, “tapping into a reservoir of emotion arising from the swelling uncertainty and chaos,” and they had their “a-ha!” moment.
As the two collaborated, Raveis and Kole felt a world of emotions as they fleshed out the words and melodies with the chord progressions on guitar and piano, ranging from moodiness to gratitude as each day unfolded. Kole felt connected to the piano as he sorted through the song, and Raveis was drawn to the acoustic guitar to offer a different texture. After various drafts of the lyrics, they sent the song to Nashville for some added instruments – bass and percussion with the help of Jeff Silverman and then back to Washington for the final touches. Raveis called up seven of her family members to provide the choral background by using their phone recording apps — including niece Ellie Raveis (rising GFA sixth-grader), and nephews Dane and Conor Raveis (rising GFA third-graders).
Raveis and Kole met eight years ago at Bigfork Guitar Festival in Montana, and they instantly clicked as songwriters and partners that created a harmonious setting for their shows. They have built a solid fanbase that loves to gather around to hear Raveis’ honey-soaked voice matched with the rich jewel tone voice of Dennis’ guitars. Raveis Kole has performed all over the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. and has opened for Cory Henry, the Edgar Winter Band, and the Wailers and many more. They have released two albums and a couple of singles. In 2018, their album, Electric Blue Dandelion – Nashville Sessions, debuted on Billboard Heatseekers Chart at No. 11, spinning on 170+ radio stations across 13 countries and five continents, and the duo is a 3x Hollywood Music in Media Award Nominee.
For more information on the duo: www.raveiskole.com
To stream the song: https://raveiskole.com/help-one-another-we-all-can
CREDITS
Song performed by Raveis Kole (BMI)
Music and Lyrics are written by Laurie Raveis (BMI) and Dennis Kole (BMI)
Published by Raveis Kole, LLC
Produced and Arranged by Laurie Raveis, Dennis Kole and Jeff Silverman
Engineered, Mixed & Mastered by Jeff Silverman at Palette Music Studio Productions (MSP) and Virtual Studio Networks (VSN), Nashville, TN
Additional Engineering by Laurie Raveis & Dennis Kole, Bop Studio, Bellingham, WA; and Chad Brown, Toy Box Studio, Nashville, TN
Recorded at Bop Studio, Bellingham, WA, Virtual Studio Networks (VSN), and The Toy Box Studio, Nashville, TN
MUSICIANS
Laurie Raveis - Lead Vocals and Acoustic Guitar
Dennis Kole - Electric Guitar, Piano, and Backing Vocals
Matthew Burgess - Drums and Percussion
Scott Mulvahill - Bass
Ellie, Dane, Conor, and Ryan Raveis; Chris Raveis; Candy and Bill Raveis – Chorus Backing Vocals