Max Poscente, the artist from the band About You, is set to debut a new single, ‘What If I Could’, at a release show in his hometown on Friday night at Trees in Deep Ellum.
The inspiration behind this heartfelt piece is rooted in a significant and challenging chapter of producer Jeff ‘Baby Snakes’ Saenz’s life, as he collaborated with Poscente during a time of great uncertainty.
Saenz shared his thoughts on the record, stating, ‘This new record allowed me to kind of feel like I had a voice, musically, at a time that I didn’t know how I was going to have a voice musically.’
The genesis of ‘What If I Could’ began on June 1, 2021, when Saenz experienced a devastating accident at home in Dallas.
After a power outage, Saenz inadvertently stepped on a downed power line, resulting in a severe injury that led to a lengthy hospital stay, which included two weeks in a coma and the amputation of portions of both arms.
Reflecting on this harrowing experience, Saenz noted, ‘My wife kind of gently explained to me what had gone on. I quickly realized that my role in music was going to be much different.’
For Poscente, witnessing his friend’s ordeal was heartbreaking.
He felt a responsibility to support Saenz during this difficult time, saying, ‘And I think at this moment I felt a responsibility of a friend, of how can I step up? How can I be of service?’
While Poscente currently resides in Los Angeles, he maintained a connection with Saenz through FaceTime while he was in the hospital.
During these calls, inspiration struck, as Poscente recalled, ‘He asked if he could show me a song. Jeff, his eyes got REAL big. He’s like, yeah,’ and I started playing the beginning of this song.’
The song was titled ‘What If I Could’, and for Saenz, those words resonated deeply, igniting a spark of creativity.
Poscente described their innovative collaboration, noting that Saenz often had to hang up for wound treatments but was quick to reconnect—asking Siri to ‘FaceTime Max’ with new ideas.
He remarked, ‘We just started writing this song over FaceTime. Because he was, like, in the middle of wound treatment for his amputation. It’s just the most intense songwriting scenario!’
Neither of them realized that this song would symbolize hope and resilience amidst adversity.
Just three months after the accident, Poscente and Saenz reunited in Saenz’s Dallas recording studio, Modern Electric Sound Recorders, where they recorded the single.
For Saenz, returning to the studio was a pivotal moment of realization that his musical journey was far from over.
Poscente explained that the lyrics in ‘What If I Could’ explore themes of love and resilience in navigating significant changes within relationships.
He poignantly remarked, ‘I couldn’t imagine a greater change than losing both your hands, you know,’ signifying the depth of Saenz’s metamorphosis.
Saenz added that the song serves as a testament to his own determination as well as the unwavering support from loved ones.
‘Forks in the road… it’s kind of a little bit of a testament to my own will, and to the will of people that support and love me to make it happen,’ he expressed.
This collaboration stands as a powerful portrayal of friendship and love that transcends adversity, weaving a narrative that inspires and uplifts.
With a touch of humor, Poscente lightheartedly teased, ‘Are we friends?’ to which Saenz laughed and replied, ‘Sometimes.’
image source from：nbcdfw
