Fifteen years in, six albums deep, and hundreds of shows later, Fortunate Youth aren’t just surviving the evolving reggae scene—they’re shaping it. Their latest record, Love for the Music, is a heartfelt, genre-blending celebration of the community, spirit, and soul that has fueled their rise from SoCal beach gigs to festival main stages across the country.
But don’t mistake this for just another reggae album.
“This record’s got soul,” says multi-instrumentalist and producer Corey Draskovich. “We’ve made like six albums, and I personally think this is probably one of Dan’s best vocal performances. That soul really comes out when he’s singing.”
Dan Kelly, the gravel-voiced frontman known for channeling raw emotion through every verse, recorded his vocals at Kona Town Recording—a studio steeped in South Bay history. “It’s down-home and everything it should be,” he says. “That’s probably why the music was so soulful… you’re taking away a lot of stress factors and layers.”
That sense of comfort radiates throughout Love for the Music, which was pieced together in true DIY fashion: drums and rhythm tracks at Total Access in Redondo Beach, guitar and keys in Corey’s garage, horns tracked in New Jersey, harmonies recorded at home by Ryan “Gonzo” Gonzalez. It’s patchwork, but purposeful.
“We all picked where we felt the most comfortable,” Greg Gelb explains. “As much as we were in different locations, we were in very comfortable locations.”
And that comfort translated into clarity. Unlike peers leaning heavily into genre-mashing hybrids of reggae, hip-hop, and rock, Love for the Music feels more like a return to form—a rekindling of their roots. “We all really got into this loving Southern California reggae music,” Corey says. “I know I love roots reggae… and that just kind of cuts through.”
That doesn’t mean they’re shunning evolution. They’re releasing the album through their own DIY label with distribution through Symphonic, signaling a step into creative and business independence. “Having colleagues is way better than having a boss,” Dan adds. “After 15 years, five albums… we’re ready.”
Above all, Love for the Music is a love letter—to the fans, the scene, and the songs that built the foundation. “Music brings us together,” Greg says. “That’s kind of the key theme we felt represented the album… all the differences built within one sound.”
As Fortunate Youth hits the road with their Love for the Music tour, they’re not just asking fans to listen—they’re asking them to sing. “Dan’s gonna point the mic at you,” Corey grins. “So you better learn the choruses.”
And if you’re lucky enough to grab the vinyl? Flip it open. You just might find yourself in the crowd photo—proof that, as the record insists, music really does bring us together.
Watch Fortunate Youth’s full interview with The Pier below!
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