My new single, Good Things, is for anyone struggling to maintain hope in the midst of challenging circumstances. For those putting one foot in front of the other, day after day—praying for progress, searching for light, and holding onto the belief that they’ll find a way out.

In January of 2022, I was bedridden by a health nightmare that made nerves in my hands, feet, and legs feel as though they were on fire. This was accompanied by several other symptoms; all of which, my doctors eventually determined, had been triggered by a widely recommended pharmaceutical procedure that had catapulted my immune system into an intense, self-targeting attack.

Luckily, in the months following my long-awaited diagnosis—through the courageous world of functional medicine—I was able to receive the treatment necessary to regain my active, fulfilling life. Now, almost two years later, each day without pain is a blessing, and I’m thankful I didn’t act on the nagging temptation to put a permanent end to my intense suffering.

While I was incapacitated and unable to work, most of my days were spent researching my novel condition, visiting doctors, and communicating with other people around the country who’d been injured by the same medical procedure. With almost all of my limited energy being directed toward healing, I did very little writing; fortunately, the one song that did come out of this experience perfectly captured the duality of my thought process during the most harrowing challenge I’ve ever endured.

Good Things is a snapshot of a person trying desperately to find motivation and meaning while locked in a body that has become a painful prison.

I hope this song finds its way to the people who might benefit from it.

Available on all streaming services, and at www.wordsandmusicbyalex.com/music Recorded, produced, and mixed at Vertigo Studios in Seattle, WA, by Brad Kaminski. Drums - Bruce Weitz Bass - Chase Baldwin Guitar - Owen Thayer Keys and Vocal Harmonies - Lucas Van Linden Mastered by Blake Bickel of Dynamic Sound Service in Kalamazoo, MI.

I wrote this song years ago after catching myself over-thinking the magical process of falling in love rather than giving myself fully to the experience.

The violinist is a longtime friend and music instructor from Turkey named Gulay Sarbay who, like a comet, only passes through the United States once every few years. I was lucky to catch her on her most recent visit to record this tune, which we've played live together any time she's been in Seattle. Recording was done at Vertigo Studios in Seattle by producer / engineer Brad Kaminski, who also played piano and drums on the track. Vocal harmonies were contributed by Fae Wiedenhoeft of the Seattle-based Celtic folk band, Seastar. Mastering was done by Blake Bickel of Dynamic Sound Service in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Photo by Maggie Whalen.

Produced, engineered, and mixed by Sheldon Gomberg at The Carriage House in Los Angeles.

Also engineered by Bill Mims, Mirza Sheriff, Jason Gossman, and Johnnie Burik.

Drums - Jimmy Paxson - Bass - Chase Baldwin - Fiddle / Harmonies - Sara Watkins - Guitar / Lap Steel - Ben Peeler - Keys - Chris Joyner -

Mastered by Blake Francis Bickel at Dynamic Sound Service.

A father and son selling bottled water to tipsy tourists on the streets of Nashville. Immigrant construction workers sweating it out six days a week in the Texas heat. A farmer's market jeweler shivering through a Seattle February to put food on the table for her son. These are a few of the everyday heroes, the Hustlin' Hearts. And this is their song.

Six new songs by Seattle songwriter Alex Rasmussen and a talented cast of Northwest musicians.

Chase Baldwin - Bass // Geli Wuerzner - Strings // Bruce Weitz - Drums // Derek Michael Marc - Electric Guitar // Dan Tyack - Steel Guitar // Fae Wiedenhoeft - Harmony Vocals

Recorded and mixed by Pat Sample at Paradise Sound in Index, WA. Mastered by Blake Bickel of Dynamic Sound Service - Seattle, WA.