Kai Nanfelt Shares Single “Down” Benefiting Nonprofit Musician Health Organization
- Jul 22
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 27
Rhode Island-based singer-songwriter Kai Nanfelt has released his new single “Down,” with streaming proceeds going to Tune In Tune Up.
This article was originally published by V13 Media on 7/21/2026
Rhode Island-based singer-songwriter Kai Nanfelt returns today with “Down,” a melodic, emotionally direct new single about measuring how far you’ve come without demanding perfection. Written by Nanfelt and produced by Jason Hart of Frantic Blue Records in Torrington, CT, the song marks the beginning of a renewed chapter for the artist.
In support of the release, Nanfelt will donate 100 percent of his streaming proceeds from the song’s first 100 days — from July 17th through October 25th — to Tune In Tune Up, a Rhode Island 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing critical healthcare access to musicians and music industry professionals. The campaign will raise funds and awareness for the organization’s mental health, medical, dental, financial, and wellness initiatives, including “Trouble No More,” its behavioural health program.
Through “Trouble No More,” eligible music industry professionals — including musicians, songwriters, producers, engineers, managers, agents, live crew, and music video creatives — can receive a confidential initial evaluation and two therapy sessions with an independently licensed therapist at no cost. Nanfelt, who serves as a board member for the nonprofit, hopes listeners will consider donating to support the organization’s mission HERE.
“Down” captures the two-steps-forward, one-step-back reality of self-improvement, pairing warm guitar, earnest vocals, and an understated pop sensibility with Nanfelt’s plainspoken lyricism. The song first took shape when an ambulance startled his dog, Frankie, on a walk, and Nanfelt mimicked the siren sound to calm her down. The moment evolved into the song’s chorus melody and opened into a larger reflection on healing: the realization that even getting out of the house can feel like proof of growth.
Nanfelt states:
“‘Down’ is a song about struggling with your own thoughts and learning that progress isn’t always linear. A couple years ago, I might not have even gone outside. Frankie gets me out of the house, and she’s taught me a lot about responsibility, patience, and showing up. I’m moving in the right direction, and that’s enough to give me hope.”
He continues:
“If you’re chasing perfection, you’re never going to ‘get better’ or ‘be better.’ You end up waiting on healthier weather. But you can’t prevent the rain, and you can’t control the weather, so the goal is to embrace the sun whenever it shines and know tomorrow can be better if it doesn’t.”
The release reflects Nanfelt’s growing sense of purpose as both an artist and advocate. After years of working in music publicity, festival communications, and media relations, he realized that helping other artists tell their stories was inspiring him to finally tell his own. Through songs about anxiety, depression, addiction, friendship, grief, recovery, and hope, Nanfelt’s writing has become rooted in a simple idea: helping people feel less alone.
Nanfelt adds:
“I’ve always wanted my music to be about more than just music. I wanted it to make a difference. Releasing ‘Down’ in support of an organization that is helping people navigate the same kinds of challenges I write about feels like the right way to begin this next chapter.”
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