Born under a lunar eclipse: The Nth Power introduce Never Alone with the groove-driven “Dream Alive”
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Newsdesk
Some albums arrive after careful planning. Others grow out of a moment, a place, and a certain energy that everyone involved can feel. For The Nth Power, the spark behind their upcoming album Never Alone came during a pair of writing sessions in a quiet Vermont farmhouse overlooking Lake Champlain.
The trio - drummer Nikki Glaspie, guitarist Nick Cassarino, and bassist Nate Edgar - gathered there at the invitation of Phish bassist Mike Gordon. Over two weeklong stretches in Colchester, Vermont, they leaned into instinct and chemistry, letting the surroundings guide the music. At one point the band found themselves recording late into the night during a lunar eclipse, a moment Cassarino says shifted the atmosphere in the room.
Those sessions eventually produced Never Alone, the band’s fourth studio album, set for release May 1. The first glimpse arrives with the single “Dream Alive,” a groove-forward track that carries the spiritual optimism that has long defined the group.
“Dream Alive” moves like a mantra built on rhythm. The song centers on perseverance, chosen family, and the idea that the future can still be shaped through intention and community. Edgar describes it as a clear reflection of the band’s musical chemistry, where each player pushes the groove forward while leaving space for the others.
Cassarino traces the song’s harmonic roots to an unexpected place. The chord progression emerged from an alternate bridge idea he once developed while performing Jackson 5 songs in the house band at New York’s Village Underground. Years later, the idea found its way into a new musical context.
The accompanying video captures the band performing inside San Francisco’s historic Glide Memorial Church. Filmed during their 2025 fall tour, the performance channels the communal feeling that has always surrounded The Nth Power’s live shows.
That sense of community runs through the entire album. Never Alone features several notable guests including jazz trumpeter Nicholas Payton, saxophonist Skerik, former bandmate Courtney Smith, and New Orleans brass powerhouse The Soul Rebels. Their contributions broaden the sonic palette while reinforcing the collaborative spirit behind the record.
Each member of the trio arrived with a deep résumé long before the band formed. Glaspie toured with Beyoncé as part of the Suga Mamas and later worked with Maceo Parker, Dumpstaphunk, and Snarky Puppy. Edgar built his reputation through years with John Brown’s Body and collaborations across the reggae and jam scenes. Cassarino’s work spans artists such as Christian McBride, Big Daddy Kane, and Babyface.
Yet the gravitational center remains The Nth Power. Since first coming together during a late-night New Orleans Jazz Fest jam in 2011, the group has cultivated a reputation for performances built on groove, connection, and emotional uplift.
With Never Alone, that philosophy finds new focus. “Dream Alive” offers the first window into a record shaped by environment, trust, and the belief that music can still carry a unifying force.
