Sha-La Music announced the release of the 'Hard Enough (Remix)' single by US roots rocker DownTown Mystic on January 23, featuring Rock and Roll Hall of Fame musicians Max Weinberg and Garry Tallent from Bruce Springsteen's legendary E Street Band. The single represents the first release from the upcoming 'On E Street Remix' project and will be distributed worldwide by The Orchard/Sony Music, with radio promotion handled by Brandon Day/Tinderbox Music beginning January 20.
The collaboration carries historical significance as Weinberg and Tallent recorded their parts during the same period they were working on what would become Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band's career-defining album 'Born In The USA.' DownTown Mystic writer/producer Robert Allen, who remixed the tracks with engineer Joe DeMaio at Shorefire Studios where they were originally recorded, noted the timing was particularly meaningful. "When we cut the track for Hard Enough, Max & Garry were still recording the album with Bruce. Having the chance to play and record my songs with them at that point in time was amazing," Allen explained.
The single contains two tracks, including a previously unreleased instrumental version (TV Mix), and showcases what Allen describes as "vintage yet modern" rock and roll. The rhythm section's contribution creates what Allen considers "one of the best RnR rhythm sections the USA has ever produced," with Weinberg channeling Charlie Watts' drumming style and Tallent delivering bass lines reminiscent of Springsteen's 'Ramrod.' The release aligns with DownTown Mystic's mission to bring the art of rock and roll back to contemporary music while addressing modern themes, with lyrics that reference women showcasing their assets on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
This release follows a successful 2025 for DownTown Mystic that included the album 'The Wish,' the 'Mystic Highway' EP, and sync licensing placements in films featuring Bryan Cranston, Allison Janney, Dennis Quaid, and Nick Offerman. The artist's catalog is available through various platforms including their official website at https://downtownmystic.net and on Spotify via https://tinyurl.com/y7ntbt88.
Music publications have recognized DownTown Mystic's approach, with Jamsphere Magazine calling it "the place to start for timeless rock'n'roll!" and Coyote Music noting the music evokes the atmosphere of iconic venues like the Stone Pony. Earmilk described the sound as having "raw energy" that fires up modern rock, while Analyze My Lyrics highlighted how Allen's writing demonstrates that true rock and roll represents "a way of responding to the world—with rebellion, awareness, resilience, love, and humor" rather than simply music from a specific era.
Sha-La Music, the independent publishing and production company behind the release, was formed in 1987 and includes a record label with worldwide digital distribution through The Orchard/Sony Music. The company has established sync licensing relationships with major music licensing firms in New York, Los Angeles, Nashville, and Chicago, including Jingle Punks, Anthem Entertainment, and Music Dealers. Their official website can be found at https://sha-lamusic.com/.
