The Petracca Project Releases Powerful New Unity Anthem “I Still Believe”
Introducing The Petracca Project, a bold new collaborative effort uniting songwriter C.P. Petracca, producer Ben Pelchat, and vocalist Jeff Smith. Their debut single, “I Still Believe,” is a rallying anthem of freedom and unity, released just in time to inspire unity among listeners.
Initially created for music publishing, “I Still Believe” was intended to be pitched to other artists. However, the production process went so smoothly, and the track’s impact was so profound that the team decided to release it as a final cut, rather than just a demo. The song taps into powerful emotions stemming from the 2022 COVID-19 lockdowns and the Freedom Convoy movement, where Canadian and American truckers protested vaccine mandates that restricted their movement across the U.S.-Canada border.
The song’s inspiration struck when Petracca witnessed the convoy firsthand while driving to Ottawa.
“Seeing the roads lined with people, waving flags, and holding signs in solidarity was heartwarming and inspiring,” recalls Petracca. “It was a peaceful yet powerful moment, reminding us of the resilience and unity of everyday people.”
Petracca shared an early demo with vocalist Jeff Smith, who instantly connected with the song’s message. Smith recorded his initial vocal in his basement cold room—a makeshift studio during pandemic restrictions—and the raw, heartfelt performance resonated deeply with the production team. In the end, despite later opportunities to re-record in a professional studio, the team chose to use Smith’s original vocal. The emotion and authenticity captured in that unique moment, while he was literally “locked down” during the lockdown, felt irreplaceable.
With The Petracca Project, “I Still Believe” brings together the efforts of three artists dedicated to crafting a piece that speaks to unity, resilience, and the enduring spirit of freedom. This single is more than a song—it’s a testament to the power of music to connect, inspire, and remind us of shared values.
Hi, Carlo! Good to meet you! Care to introduce yourself to the readers?
Thanks for having me—it’s great to connect with your readers! I’m originally from Toronto, but I’ve really fallen in love with eastern Ontario since moving to Belleville in my early 20s. I studied literature and philosophy, which really shaped the way I think and write. Once I feel inspired, writing and poetry tend to flow pretty naturally. Music has always been a big part of my life—I’ve played piano and drums for years—so transitioning into songwriting felt like a natural fit. With The Petracca Project, my goal is to bring together talented musicians and artists to create meaningful music that not only captures the emotions and experiences of our times but also sheds light on important social, political,l and economic issues like homelessness, economic insecurity, and freedom for all.
The song was born out of the Freedom Convoy movement and the emotions surrounding it. How did witnessing the convoy firsthand shape the narrative of the track?
Seeing the Freedom Convoy in action was incredibly inspiring—it felt like the first real spark of hope for those who didn’t agree with government mandates or overreach. After two tough years, it reminded us how powerful people’s voices can be. Peaceful protest is such an important right, and the convoy demonstrated that beautifully, showing the strength of choosing freedom and love over fear. Watching people line up on bridges to cheer on the truckers in person was such a moving moment that it inspired the lyrics for this song, and serves as a reminder that we can get through anything life throws our way.
Jeff Smith’s vocal performance was recorded in a makeshift cold room studio during the lockdown. What made that raw recording stand out as the final take for the song?
Jeff’s demo recording came straight from the heart during a really tough time for so many people affected by government mandates. That raw performance, recorded in his cold cellar during lockdown, was so real and full of emotion that we couldn’t recreate it later in the studio no matter how hard we tried. It was recorded at a time when musicians didn’t even know if they’d have careers anymore with everything shut down—studios, venues, the works. But sometimes, the hardest times bring out the best art, and Jeff’s vocals are proof of that.
How did producer Ben Pelchat contribute to the overall tone and impact of “I Still Believe”?
Working with Ben on “I Still Believe” was such an awesome experience. He just gets it, you know? Even when we had to figure out some tricky stuff, like deciding to stick with Jeff’s original vocal take, it all came together so smoothly. He’s got this great energy that makes the process fun and collaborative. He has a knack for balancing big, anthemic moments with those subtle, heartfelt details that make his work stand out, and this song is definitely no exception! He is incredibly versatile as a producer, having worked with a wide range of artists – from Boy George, to Snoop Dogg, to J-pop star Chris Hart. He also understands live performances well, being the frontman for his band, My My Sugar (with Josh MacIntosh, who contributed electric guitars, drums and bass to this song). I believe that he was the perfect fit for “I Still Believe” because of that specific background and experience.I’m really pumped to keep building the Petracca Project with him—we’ve got some exciting new songs in the works, and I can’t wait to see where we take it next.
What role do you see music playing in reflecting or influencing social and political events?
Music and messages have always gone hand in hand. Some of the biggest artists in history—like U2, John Lennon, and Bob Marley—used their songs to stand up for freedom, rights, and justice. Music is such a powerful platform because (research says) lyrics attached to music skip past the conscious mind and go straight to the subconscious, making those melodic messages more digestible and impactful than words alone.
I get that the ideas in this song might feel controversial to some and essential to others, but our goal is to bridge that gap. We want to sing about freedom, unity, and moving past this “us versus them” mindset that’s been so divisive—especially with how the legacy media fuels it. This is about starting conversations, spreading love, and reminding people that rights and freedoms should be for everyone.
It’s kind of like what punk rock used to do—challenging the system and getting a message across. What we’re doing isn’t quite punk rock, but it’s got that same motivation to push a positive message of rights, freedom, and love out into the world.