Blondie‘s hit single ‘Call Me‘ has been given a makeover by The L.I.F.E. Project: Stone Sour guitarist Josh Rand and Paralandra and Casandra’s Crossing vocalist Casandra Carson‘s musical collaboration, now signed with Frontiers Music Srl.
“Back in 2020 I was searching for a female vocalist to front my new project,” Rand recalled. “I was connected with Casandra Carson and asked her what song she’d like to sing for the audition. ‘Call Me‘ was her choice so I quickly put it together musically for her to sing to. She crushed it and the rest is history! We never intended to release this track, but we thought it would be cool for you to hear the song that started it all.”
Carson herself added: “‘Call Me‘ has been one of those staple songs that I’ve been doing live since my first cover band when I was 17. This recording, specifically, was kind of my audition to be in The L.I.F.E. Project. Josh wanted me to pick a song to cover that would be comfortable, and we could use to test out how we would work together, and this felt like the perfect choice. Turns out, I got the job! It’s crazy that it’s coming out of the vault and going public after all these years.”
You can check out the video for ‘Call Me‘ below.
Back in the summer, they released another cover, that time round Suicidal Tendencies‘ ‘You Can’t Bring Me Down‘, with Rand commenting at the time: “I can’t think of a better way to kick things back off after some downtime than with this track. Suicidal Tendencies’ Lights…Camera…Revolution! is one of my top five all-time favourite records. The lyrics to this track are just as relevant today as they were the day it was released, making it timeless. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did recording it. Turn it up!!”
“This felt like the perfect song for Josh and me to cover for a lot of reasons,” added Carson, who then explained: “First off, it’s an absolute headbanger, and that’s reason enough, but beyond that, I resonate deeply with the lyrics and the message. It’s all about refusing to conform or compromise your beliefs and standards just to fit in with the crowd, and songs like that have always lit a fire in me.
“I’ve been in the music industry for over a decade now, and I’ve been criticised, doubted, and told ‘no’ more times than I can count, but I’ve never let that stop me from doing what I love or doing it my way, ‘regardless what the cost might be’. That mindset is exactly why this song still resonates so strongly today, and why it felt like the right one for us to put our own spin on,” she added.
You can check out the video for ‘You Can’t Bring Me Down‘ below.
While Rand had long envisioned launching a female-fronted project, it wasn’t until 2020, when a mutual connection introduced him to Carson, that the idea truly began to take shape. What started as an exploratory collaboration quickly evolved into something far more meaningful, laying the groundwork for a project driven by purpose and artistic synergy.
Musically, The L.I.F.E. Project fuses Rand‘s signature heavy riffs and affinity for strong melodic hooks with Carson‘s commanding and versatile vocal delivery. Drawing inspiration from classic metal, thrash, and progressive influences, the project channels the raw energy and spirit that first inspired Rand to pick up the guitar, while offering Carson the opportunity to explore new sonic and emotional territories.
Over time, the band has crafted a distinct sound that balances intensity with accessibility, underpinned by a natural creative partnership. Their material reflects a thoughtful and organic development process, allowing ideas to evolve freely and cohesively.
Lyrically, on their own songs, The L.I.F.E. Project sets itself apart by venturing beyond traditional rock themes, embracing broader narratives and concepts. Their songs often draw from history, social issues, and real-world tensions, exploring themes such as empowerment, resistance, and societal challenges. This approach adds depth and substance to their music, complementing its powerful sonic foundation.
With Frontiers Music Srl’s support and a new album on its way, The L.I.F.E. Project is set to further expand its reach and continue building on its distinctive sound.
Josh Rand commented: “I’m pleased to announce that The L.I.F.E. Project will be joining the Frontiers family. It was important to me to be on a label that wanted to be cutting edge in the industry, but still have that mom and pop relationship with the artist. I’m looking forward to working with Jeff and Tom to bring The L.I.F.E. Project to our loyal fans!”
Jeff Stevenson, General Manager at Frontiers Label Group, added: “We’re incredibly proud to welcome The L.I.F.E. Project to the label. From the moment we heard the new music created by Josh and Casandra, it was clear they continue to bring a unique vision and emotional depth that aligns perfectly with our mission here at Frontiers. We’re excited to partner with them and help bring their artistry to a larger global audience.”
