THE ALTER KAKERS RELEASE “MY DARLING ONE” – A SONG FOR EVERYONE WHO’S EVER LOST A PET
Love doesn’t fade. It lingers in familiar places, in quiet moments, in the space where paws once pressed against the floor. Indie rock trio The Alter Kakers have released “My Darling One”, a song that began as a private letter and became an anthem for anyone who has ever said goodbye to a beloved pet.
Frontman Steve Bronstein wrote the song after the sudden passing of his rescue dog, Tori, in August 2023. Searching for ways to process his grief, he was encouraged to write a letter. Instead, the words found their way into a melody—a way to keep her memory alive.
“My darling one where have you gone?
Are you out walking at the dawn?
Are you smiling at everyone?
It’s so like you, my darling one.”
“Writing this song helped me channel my grief into something creative,” Bronstein shares. “We play it at every rehearsal, and it keeps her with me. Losing a pet is losing a part of your heart, and you’re not crazy for feeling that deeply.”
Recorded in January 2025 with acclaimed producer Bill Bell (Tom Cochrane, Jason Mraz, Alex Lifeson, Andy Kim), the song moves between a soft, country-tinged intro and outro—where Bronstein searches for Tori’s presence and imagines the day they’ll reunite—and a tender middle section capturing the moment of goodbye.
“I held you in my arms to comfort you
You
My darling one.”
The music video pairs the song with a moving photo tribute to Tori, a reminder that love never really leaves—it just changes form.
The Alter Kakers, known for their heartfelt songwriting and raw, emotive performances, offer this song not just as a tribute to Tori, but to every person who’s ever lost a pet and wondered how to move forward.
Because they were never just a pet. They were family.
Hi Steve! Good to see you again, and I’m sorry for your loss. When you first sat down to write a letter to Tori, did you have any idea it would turn into a song—and one that would resonate with so many others?
Hi, thanks for the interview and for your sympathies! The original suggestion I got from a grief resource (online) was to write a letter, but as a songwriter, it just made sense for me to try to make a song out of it, and it’s been better, I think, because we play it almost every week when we jam, so it just keeps the connection going. I knew it was a decent song when Cary, my bandmate, told me he’d been humming it at home.
How did it feel the first time you played “My Darling One” aloud, either to the band or in rehearsal? Was there a moment where it really hit you emotionally?
I’ve been pretty good about keeping it together when I play it; I’m usually concentrating, but when we recorded it, the second time I had to sing it, I felt like I was singing it to her, and it hit me, my voice cracked, and I couldn’t get it out, but I got it together pretty quick and kept going.
You’ve said you play this song at every rehearsal. What has that ritual meant to you as a way to stay connected with Tori’s memory?
It’s a positive thing, the whole creation of the song and it becoming something we play together. I guess it shouldn’t surprise me that so many people involved in putting this song out love pets. Cary was always interacting with Tori. Bill Bell, who produced the song, is a dog lover, and so is Eric Alper, who’s doing publicity for it. The song is a subject we all connect with and can feel good about working on.
This song feels like a gift to anyone who’s lost a beloved animal. What have fans shared with you since its release?
I’ve heard there have been a few tears; one friend told me that I should’ve given her a “cry warning” before sharing the video with her. I take it as a compliment, better than having no effect.
What would you say to someone who’s currently grieving a pet, perhaps sitting with their own letter that hasn’t turned into a song yet?
I’d say it doesn’t necessarily have to be a letter or a song; it could be a photo gallery or a monument you place in your garden. Yes, Amazon sells those, and I’ve done that too. Most importantly, if you’re grieving, you should know it’s normal, it can take time, and there are a ton of online resources available to help. Also, I should mention that I have since adopted another rescue dog; that’s been rewarding, and there are always pets in need if you can take one on.