Song Premiere: William Fitzsimmons, “Fortune”

william fitzsimmons
Death Cab For Cutie’s Chris Walla knows a great songwriter when he hears one. That’s why he signed on to produce William Fitzsimmons’ Lions, out February 18 on Nettwerk. The new album charts the homespun Pittsburgh-based musician’s journey on the road to personal growth since completing his last album, 2011’s Gold In The Shadow.

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Fitzimmons, a former mental health counselor born to blind parents, knocks it out of the park with “Fortune,” a cascading, mysterious song about a moment at the crossroads.

“‘Fortune’ is a song about making a decision to walk through a river of shit instead of turning around,” Fitzsimmons tells us, “even knowing there might not be anything but the same pain you’re trying to leave behind on the other side. It was written about someone in my life who I watched make an enormous sacrifice without any expectation following it. I don’t remember ever feeling so impressed and confused in my life. I only hope I can be that brave when the time comes.”

You can get a free copy of “Fortune” by pre-ordering Lions at iTunes.