We Speak Music
Mark Winters and Son Co-Write New Single “Can I Rise” — A Song About Roots, Identity, and Becoming (out on June 5, 2026)
A reflective new release exploring the balance between inheritance and choice, written across generations.
Texas-based singer-songwriter Mark Winters returns with “Can I Rise,” a thoughtful and emotionally resonant new single co-written with his son. Together, they explore one of life’s most enduring questions: Are we defined by the lives we inherit, or by the paths we choose to create?
Built around the refrain “Can I rise / Will my roots hold me down,” the song lives in the tension between earth and sky, past and possibility. It reflects on family, identity, and the quiet courage it takes to step forward while carrying the weight of where we come from.
“This song started as a personal reflection,” says Mark Winters. “But writing it with my son gave it a completely new dimension. It became a conversation between generations — not just about where we come from, but about what we do with that inheritance.”
That generational lens runs through the song’s imagery: a father’s discipline, a mother’s restless spirit, a grandmother’s poetic skies, and a grandfather’s steady hands. Through it all, “Can I Rise” becomes not just a question of identity, but a shared exploration — how each generation both carries and reshapes the one before it.
Musically, the track blends Winters’ signature elements — poetry, science, and positivity — with a grounded, open-air sound rooted in Americana and rock. His background as an aerospace engineer continues to shape the language of motion, lift, and trajectory, while the songwriting partnership adds a fresh emotional perspective.
The result is a sound that feels both timeless and evolving — echoing the storytelling clarity of Tom Petty, the introspective guitar work of John Mayer, and the uplifting spirit of Jason Mraz.
Winters also credits his grandmother, Dean C. Winters, as his lifelong poetry pal and muse, whose influence can be felt in the song’s imagery and emotional depth.
Rather than offering answers, “Can I Rise” invites listeners into the question itself. Can we honor our roots without being held down by them? Can we carry forward what matters while still choosing our own direction?
With this release, Mark Winters and his son deliver a song that is both deeply personal and widely relatable — a reminder that the journey of becoming is something we don’t take alone.
“Can I Rise” will be available on all major streaming platforms on June 5.
We Speak Music
Jazz Vocalist Julie Slim Reimagines a Timeless Classic with New Single “Waynak” from Her Album Suspended
A deeply personal Arabic adaptation of the beloved jazz standard “Autumn Leaves” explores love, loss, and memory against the backdrop of wartime Beirut.
Jazz vocalist Julie Slim unveils her moving new single, “Waynak,” a heartfelt reinterpretation of the iconic jazz standard known worldwide as Autumn Leaves. Featured on her forthcoming album Suspended, the song transforms a beloved classic into an intimate and culturally rich musical journey that bridges East and West.
Originally composed by Joseph Kosma in 1945 with French lyrics by poet Jacques Prévert and later adapted into English by Johnny Mercer in 1950, Autumn Leaves has become one of the most enduring songs in jazz history. For Slim, however, the melody carries a far more personal significance.
“I didn’t invent the wheel on this one,” says Slim. “This song has been in my ears and heart since childhood. My mother would sing it beautifully whenever she was asked, and her velvety voice made me fall in love with it too.”
Inspired by a desire to tell her own story through the timeless melody, Slim wrote original Arabic lyrics for the song in 2020. While she admired previous Arabic adaptations, she felt compelled to create a version that reflected her own experiences and emotions.
The result is “Waynak,” a deeply personal narrative of love and loss set in Beirut during wartime, where stolen moments unfold beneath the branches of a majestic olive tree. Though the story remains close to her heart, its themes of longing, memory, and enduring connection resonate universally.
Musically, “Waynak” offers a fresh perspective on the classic composition through an elegant fusion of jazz and Middle Eastern influences. The arrangement prominently features acclaimed oud master Sari Andoni, whose expressive playing introduces the song and weaves an unmistakably Arabic character throughout the performance. Complementing the arrangement is the inventive saxophone work of Joshua Thomson, a longtime friend and collaborator whose soulful improvisations add depth and emotional nuance.
Slim deliberately chose to record the song live in the studio, capturing the spontaneity and authenticity of musicians creating together in real time.
“We recorded this song live because I wanted it to exist in the moment,” Slim explains. “I wanted a present connection with the music and with each other.”
With its evocative storytelling, rich cultural influences, and heartfelt performance, “Waynak” serves as both a tribute to a timeless jazz masterpiece and a bold artistic statement from Julie Slim. The single offers listeners a glimpse into the emotional and musical landscape of Suspended, an album that promises to explore themes of memory, identity, and human connection through Slim’s distinctive voice.
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