Review Fix Exclusive: Shadow Pearson Talks ‘City Song – Finger On The Pulse’

Review Fix chats with singer/songwriter Shadow Pearson, who discusses her band’s new track, “City Song – Finger On The Pulse,” breaking down what makes it a special track.

About the Song:

On June 12 , 2016, the face of Orlando, Florida changed. The vacation destination took a backseat to worldwide coverage of the deadliest mass shooting in history at The Pulse Nightclub.

Eight days later, Shadow Pearson, from the alternative rock band, The Actomatics, assembled a team of over 100 people to perform her soulful “City Song – Finger on the Pulse.” The song features a choir representing the ‘Voices’ of Orlando. The proceeds from the song benefit the onePulse Foundation 501c.

This pop song, written by Shadow Pearson, is designed to give back and bring healing to the world. “You shot the light, but you can’t take the heart,” is a resolute and hopeful message.

Shadow’s group, The Actomatics, form the backbone of the piece. Team City Song has blossomed into many facets with a growing personnel. Feeling the song deserved a separate identity, one for the people, from the people, singing ‘This is our city, Orlando’ she chose the name Shadow Pearson & The City Song Players. Pearson refers to those involved with the project as Team City Song.

Review Fix: How did the events in Orlando turn into a song?

Shadow Pearson: As a writer I visualize what I perceive on paper and then into melody. It is a natural process. At root I am a storyteller. This is a story of the people. Timeless.

Review Fix: How did you get everyone together to help you put this track together?

Pearson: City Song is a project. Our community was engulfed by a wave of grief which brings many feelings to the surface. What is the best way to reach out? There is no final answer. Everyone has a place. My artistic brothers and sisters responded immediately to my open call for help ~ realizing this song’s vision and integrity. Mark Mason from Metrosound Productions and Chris Short with Alpaca Ranch Recording Studio were key components. Co~engineering/Co~producing with me long hours pro bono. We all knew what we were doing had dignity and it felt right to be doing.

Review Fix: How is this song different from your typical sort of arrangements?

Pearson: I don’t know if it is. I have learned over time to self edit. City Song is a tight 2:48 Pop~R&B style tune. There may be a few surprises. At times there are 3 lead vocal parts. I am always curious to know how folks are affected. Get on-board. Drop us a note.

Review Fix: How do you want this song to be remembered?

Pearson: It would make us smile if City Song~Finger on the Pulse became part of the Fabric of great music. The American Songbook.  Lets shoot for that.

Review Fix: Bottom line, why should someone listen to it?

Pearson: City Song is classic. It is hopeful. It has a very soulful vibe. Beyond feel~it’s the lyrics. Our identity is captured there in those words.

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About Patrick Hickey Jr. 13821 Articles
Patrick Hickey Jr. is a full-time Assistant Professor of Communication & Performing Arts and Director of the Journalism program at Kingsborough Community College and is the chairman of the City University of New York Journalism Council. He is the Founder and Editor-In-Chief of ReviewFix.com. He's also a former News Editor at NBC Local Integrated Media and National Video Games Writer at Examiner.com where his work was mentioned in National Ad campaigns by Disney, Nintendo and EA Sports. Hickey was also the Editor-In-Chief of two College Newspapers before he received his BA in Journalism from Brooklyn College. Hickey's work has been published in The New York Daily News, The New York Times, Complex, The Hockey Writers, Yahoo!, Broadway World, Examiner, NYSportScene Magazine, ProHockeyNews.com, GothamBaseball.com, The Syracuse Post-Standard, Scout.com and the official sites of the Brooklyn Aces and New York Islanders. His first book, The Minds Behind the Games: Interviews With Cult And Classic Video Game Developers was released in April 2018 and is chock full of interviews with legendary developers. His second book in the series, The Minds Behind Adventures Games, was released in December 2019. His third book, The Minds Behind Sports Games, was released in September 2020. His fourth book, The Minds Behind Shooter Games, was released in March 2021. The Minds Behind Sega Genesis Games and The Minds Behind PlayStation Games were released in 2022 and The Minds Behind PlayStation 2 was published in January 2023. Hickey is also a contracted comic book writer, currently penning his original series, "Condrey," as well as "The Job," "Brooklyn Bleeds" "Dem Gulls" and "KROOM" for Legacy Comix, where he serves as founder, owner and Editor-in-Chief. Hickey Jr. is also a voice actor, having starred in the 2018 indie hit and 2019 Switch, PS4 and Xbox One release, The Padre (also serving as English language Story Editor), from Shotgun With Glitters. The sequel, The Padre: One Shell Straight to Hell was released in February 2021- Hickey also served as a Story Editor and Lead Voiceover performer. He has also done narration and trailers for several other titles including The Kaiju Offensive, Relentless Rex and Roniu’s Tale. Hickey is also the lead voiceover performer on Mega Cat Studios’ upcoming title WrestleQuest, responsible for nearly 90 characters in the game, as well as Skybound's Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood, where he voices both Dracula and Renfield, as well as several other characters. He also stars in Ziggurat Interactive’s World Championship Boxing Manager 2, where he performs the VO of nearly every male character in the game. He also worked on the Atari VCS’s BPM Boy.

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