Known for her incredible voice and uplifting musical persona, Ultra Naté is one of the most revered singers in today’s music industry. Ultra has been making dance anthems for over 20 years, and clearly hasn’t lost her touch as she closed out 2022 with her tenth studio LP, ULTRA. The compilation is full of melodic single that take listeners on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. One of the standouts on the album has to be “SURVIVOR”. For the track, Ultra merged her DJ, songwriting, singing, and producing skills with that of renowned artist Tracy Young. Now they are releasing the original, club, and extended edits for the song.
Talking about the collaboration, Ultra shares, “the framework of what the ULTRA album would be, had really come together by the time I wrote ‘SURVIVOR’ with long-time sister-friend, Tracy Young. As with all the songs on the album, I was alone and just grinding, Tracy and I linked up and she sent the backing track of what would become ‘SURVIVOR’. I loved it from the first chord. It felt big, emotional, and bittersweet, but triumphant – my specialty!” As the head of Ferosh Records, Tracy has worked with or remixed the likes of Shakira, Britney Spears, Stevie Nicks, Mariah Carey, Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, and many other superstars. She was the optimal producer to have alongside Ultra when making “SURVIVOR”.
In regard to the process of creating the track, Ultra elaborates, “‘SURVIVOR’ was healing my wounds as I was writing and singing through these lyrics and laying ideas down – while at the same time continually ripping the bandages off. Further and further, the process was empowering me, with every stage of the song’s development.” This piano-driven track is overflowing with heavenly vocals and lush melodies. “SURVIVOR” takes its audience into the innovative minds of Ultra and Tracy, while delivering an infectious tune.
ULTRA sat down with us for an exclusive interview, which you can check out below!
ULTRA Exclusive Interview
RR: Hi Ultra, I hope you are good! What was it like to work with your good friend Tracy Young and have you ever worked together before?
ULTRA: This was the first time Tracy and I have ever collaborated! Somehow the years just passed by, and it’s something we always wanted to do but had never moved the needle. Finally the world had stopped and we were both able to focus. We simply had a chat on the phone one day for like three hours, talking about the madness of the pandemic lockdown we were in the midst of. During that conversation, I asked Tracy to send me a track, so she put one together that she felt would be tailor-made for me and she was right. I loved the backing track immediately and I wrote SURVIVOR [ https://youtu.be/heXjodMtmzA ] a few months later as I was deeply in writing mode with multiple projects at the time.
RR: 30 years in the music industry, especially as an independent artist, really is a major milestone. What are some favorite moments throughout your career?
ULTRA: There have been just so many it’s really hard to narrow it down. I am so grateful for the experience of being able to live through my art for my entire adult life! There were great moments from the beginning of my career like flying to London for the first time and staying in a beautiful hotel in Portobello. I woke up that morning with the sun beaming through my window and I just sat there in awe of it all. There were times years later when “Free” was huge, I performed for many huge TV events. As we were leaving one of them, we were surrounded by thousands of kids wanting autographs or just to see me or say hello. It was an amazing feeling to be able to connect with kids that way.
RR: What can you tell us about your upcoming March single “HAPPY FEELING” [ https://youtu.be/vRYapqUcjNI ] – do you have some big new remixes in the bag?
ULTRA: Well I don’t want to jinx it because those timelines can be shifty but you always at least give yourself a point to work towards. Exactly how the release will unfold is being decided over the next couple weeks.
RR: You’ve had the same team for quite some time, what do you think the secret is to building that type of culture organizationally?
ULTRA: Having people that really get you is huge! My managers and I have a great friendship and family bond at the core of everything. We have struggled through difficult times and we have celebrated amazing accomplishments also. We have so many shared experiences as a team.
RR: How did the Baltimore based ‘Deep Sugar’ parties start, and how are they going? Do you take them anywhere else in the States?
ULTRA: “Deep Sugar” originally started as just “Sugar” back in 2003, as a response to the shrinking underground House music scene in Baltimore where I live. Myself and a very dedicated team, took up the baton to help sustain and grow the culture. The party is now into its 20th (!) year and we have been very fortunate to be able to do the party in different cities domestically and abroad
17th Anniversary DJ Mix – https://www.mixcloud.com/Ultra_Nate/ultra-nate-live-20201024-2057/
RR: Is 2023 looking like a bright year for you all around?
ULTRA: I believe it will be and that’s half the battle. I work hard to help make it a reality. There’s still so much to accomplish but every day is a new opportunity.Ultra Naté’s 10th album, ULTRA is Out Now: https://ingrv.es/ultra-sco-
Connect with Ultra Naté:
http://www.ultranate.com/
http://www.instagram.com/ultranatemusic
http://www.twitter.com/ultranatemusic
http://www.facebook.com/ultranatemusic
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