Colton Vance Confronts Grief and Accountability on 'Feeling Okay'
Rising independent rock artist Colton Vance is set to deliver his most raw, emotionally charged work to date with the simultaneous radio and streaming release of his brand-new single, “Feeling Okay.” Behind its deceptive title lies a heavy, vulnerable anthem born from profound tragedy, a call for systemic accountability and an uncompromising exploration of grief.
Written out of a place of deep, uncharacteristic anger, “Feeling Okay” serves as a direct response to a devastating drunk-driving accident that took the life of a close friend’s 10-year-old son - a boy who loved basketball, music and his family.
Compounding the tragedy, the driver of the vehicle was the child’s own intoxicated mother.
“I want to be completely honest and open about this,” Vance shares. “His life could have been saved if there were better laws in my home state that restricted repeat DUI offenders from driving. As much as I understand that those people are human too, we still need to be held accountable for our actions. I think we, as a state and as a body of Christ, need to do better. Lives are at stake every day.”
Behind the Scenes: A Labor of Love and Heavy Collaborations
The journey to bring “Feeling Okay” to life was an intensive, meticulous process that pushed Vance to his creative limits. The track underwent multiple rewrites and featured an impressive lineup of behind-the-scenes collaborations:
A happy accident: After sending an early draft to his friend — the bass player for rock titans Breaking Benjamin — Vance received praise for an accidental key change. Embracing the feedback, he went back to the drawing board to restructure the song around it.
Family ties: Vance teamed up with his brother, his musical partner of 18 years, who tracked the drums and constructed the song’s massive, driving middle breakdown.
Stepping out of the comfort zone: Vance’s wife, Hannah, served as his main sounding board, co-writing the pre-choruses and pushing him to do something he had never done before: deliver his first-ever vocal scream during the track’s climactic breakdown.
The perfect sonic glue: Determined to master the technical side of the song independently, Vance tracked the guitars a grueling 70 times before booking one-on-one sessions with renowned YouTuber and audio expert Chris Bedan to perfect the final mix.
The result is a sonically massive, emotionally gripping rock track that balances devastating sorrow with a plea for spiritual and legal accountability. “Feeling Okay” is more than just a song; it is a rallying cry for change and a reminder of the fragility of life.
“Feeling Okay” hits all major streaming platforms and radio airwaves today, July 24.
