Chris Rusin Releases Cinders– A Powerful Duet About Love and Regret 

For release April 18th, 2025 

Denver Colorado – Chris Rusin is excited to share his new single, Cinders, a soulful folk Americana duet that captures the raw emotions of getting through the hard times of a relationship. “Sometimes you need to look back in order to move forward,” says Chris. “But if you dwell on the past too long, it can consume you. Cinders is a song about trudging on when you can hardly bear to be there anymore because if you don’t move, then you’re just stuck.” With intricate guitar and heartfelt harmonies, Cinders showcases Chris’s ability to blend strength and vulnerability in his music.

Making Cinders

“I didn’t set out to write a fancy guitar song,” says Chris. “But as I was experimenting with more slides and hammer-ons, I started pulling more emotion and strain out of the guitar to mirror the tension in the lyrics. When it was done, I listened back and thought, ‘Whoa, how did I do that? Where did that guitar come from?’”

Cinders features intricate harmonies sung beautifully by Katie Wise, with vocals and guitar accompanied by a rootsy blend of dobro and banjo. The track is further enriched by the skillful contributions of some of the finest musicians from Colorado’s Front Range: upright bass by John Paul Grigsby, cello by Russick Smith, and drums by Shane Zweygardt. The production was expertly assembled by Grammy-nominated producer and engineer Andrew Berlin (Gregory Alan Isakov), and captures the song’s emotional depth perfectly.

The video for Cinders centers around one continuous shot of just a guy with his guitar.  He could be from anywhere and any time.  Rather than distracting from it, this simple and candid performance draws attention into the music.

With its evocative blend of Folk, Roots, and Americana, Cinders is a must-listen for anyone who’s ever found themselves at a crossroads in love and life.

“Cinders” Lyrics

Shattered hearts and faded colors

I just can’t look back no more.

Heartache becomes living, and I don’t want to be here anymore.

And I’ve cried and I’ve wondered how could I do what I did

too many times I hate the answers and I don’t want to be here anymore

Still I turn to you

the path I did not take

We’ve been burned by the cinders

and I don’t want to be here any more.

We’ve been burned by the cinders  

and I don’t want to be here any more.

Written and performed by Chris Rusin copyright 2025.