Lost Dog Street Band’s “Survived” Might Be The Best Song Benjamin Tod Has Written

Article Contributed by IVPR | Published on Friday, March 29, 2024

The story of Lost Dog Street Band’s upcoming album Survived revolves around the retirement and rebirth of the band itself, and their latest single, the album’s title track, epitomizes the concept of the entire album’s spirit. “I had already grieved the death of Lost Dog as a band the first week of 2023 while recording my honky tonk record,” remembers Lost Dog founder—and successful solo artist—Benjamin Tod. “After finishing that record I realized I had a handful of other songs that would only fit under the Lost Dog banner.” With that realization, Tod lined up some dates to enter the recording studio. “Given that I needed to build a band and write about half the album before we got into the studio, it was a real leap of faith.”

“Survived” was a last minute addition to the song list, written just before the band entered the studio, but it did take some cues from Lost Dog Street Band’s past output. “An archetypal staple to all of our previous albums is an introspective minor waltz,” says Tod. “I knew I needed to pull one out somehow and went into my writing cabin and banged it out. I was not extremely impressed in the moment. I made a demo and just went about my normal business.” The next evening, while winding down for the day, Tod listened back to the demo. “A grateful sadness overwhelmed me and tears ran down my face. I realized my entire life had been so blessed and enriched by this gift of writing. In all the darkness and misery over my life I had always had an outlet that gave me a livelihood and purpose.”

The result is a hall-of-fame album closer and, in Tod’s earnest words, “the greatest song I have ever written.” “Its metaphysical spiderweb through my life and mind is endless,” he says. “It’s a testament to the struggle that got me here. If we can get out of our own way, we may be able to achieve our ideal divine self.” The band’s performance matches Tod’s emotional vocal delivery step for step, but the album-stealing moment is the song’s final refrain sung in tightly woven three-part harmony; a heart-wrenching bow atop a beautiful collection of stories and songs.

“Survived” is the latest single from Lost Dog Street Band’s upcoming album of the same name—due out on April 26th via Thirty Tigers. To watch the music video written and directed by Tod and shot and edited by Jesse Weeden, head over to the band’s YouTube channel. Fans can stream or purchase “Survived” today at this link, check out Lost Dog’s previously released singles “Brighter Shade” and “If You Leave Me Now” at their respective links, and pre-order or pre-save Survived right here.

In addition to the release of “Survived,” Lost Dog Street Band have also just announced their debut on the world-famous Grand Ole Opry on May 14th. Fans can check out the schedule and tune in at wsmradio.com.

More About Survived: The new, reinvigorated direction of Lost Dog Street Band began in the recording process when Tod decided to swap out their traditional recording style of overdubbing parts in favor of recording everything live. It was an experience he was introduced to during his solo album and found the process so successful that it, in part, led to his decision to revive Lost Dog. “We were able to finish the entire album in five days, and it has a remarkable energy to it,” Tod explains.

“Benjamin and I, both individually and together, have been through some professionally grinding and demoralizing personal times over the past five years,” Ashley Mae explains. “To take a step back from that over the past year and realize, ‘Wow, we held it down and withstood that, and we survived that,’ was a really good, bright, shining moment. It was the high point during a demoralizing time.” As such, Survived is a saving grace, a phoenix rising from the ashes. “This record means everything,” adds Tod. “It just feels like salvation.”

Survived Tracklist:

Brighter Shade

Lifetime of Work

Divine To Be

Last Train

Muhlenberg County Line

Son of Tennessee

Lonely Old Soul

Hubbardville Store

If You Leave Me Now

Survived

Catch Lost Dog Street Band On Tour:

4/18 - Detroit, MI - St. Andrew’s Hall

4/19 - Cleveland, OH - Agora Theatre

4/20 - Pittsburgh, PA - Thunderbird Cafe and Music Hall - SOLD OUT

4/21 - Columbus, OH - The Bluestone

4/23 - Morgantown, WV - Metropolitan Theatre

4/24 - Rochester, NY - The Essex

4/26 - Portland, ME - State Theatre

4/27 - South Burlington, VT - Higher Ground Ballroom

4/29 - Boston, MA - Royale

5/1 - Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg

5/3 - Philadelphia, PA - Brooklyn Bowl

5/4 - Washington, DC - The Howard

5/5 - Charlottesville, VA - Jefferson Theater

5/8 - Charleston, SC - Music Farm

5/10 - Asheville, NC - The Orange Peel - SOLD OUT

5/11 - Charlotte, NC - Neighborhood Theatre

5/12 - Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse

5/14 - Nashville, TN - Grand Ole Opry

5/29 - Greeneville, SC - Peace Center*

5/30 - Cary, NC - Koka Booth Amphitheatre*

5/31 - Union Hall, VA - The Coves Amphitheater*

6/1 - Lexington, KY - Railbird Festival

* Supporting Trampled By Turtles

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