Jung Shackleton (Feat. Buck Meek), ‘Proof of Life’ [Exclusive Premiere]

Contemporary folk outfit Jung Shackleton are premiering a new song, "Proof of Life," exclusively for readers of The Boot. Press play below to listen.

Written by Jung Shackleton mastermind and singer-songwriter Miguel de Bragança, "Proof of Life" features guitar and background vocals from Buck Meek of the Grammy-nominated indie band Big Thief. According to de Bragança, he and Meek met about eight years ago, at de Bragança's Yes Oui Si art space in Boston, Mass. He thought Meek would be perfect to lend what de Bragança calls "a certain Southern ramble" to the song.

Despite its slightly melancholy melody, "Proof of Life" is ultimately a positive, upbeat track about finding exhilaration in life's simple pleasures. "Sometimes when I’m driving on the road straight ahead / I look out at the rolling road to see where it has led," goes the final verse. "And I see all of your faces, and I see all of your light / And I see a lot of good times coming that give me proof of life / Proof of life."

"Proof of Life" was written in Portugal, while de Bragança was attending a web coding workshop and feeling homesick, and then recorded at Holy Fang Campus, an animal sanctuary and recording studio in New York City. The artist has what he calls an "ocean" of new material in the works, including two EPs and some forthcoming music videos.

"After seven years working on tech startups, it feels great to be getting back in the studio and putting a live show together with creative friends and collaborators," de Bragança tells The Boot. "We'll be playing spontaneous shows around the Northeast a bit this winter, and we're putting together a Europe tour for February and March."

"Proof of Life" is set for release on digital streaming platforms on Tuesday (Dec. 10). Visit JungShackleton.com for more.

Listen to Jung Shackleton (Feat. Buck Meek), "Proof of Life"

50 Country Albums Everyone Must Hear Before They Die