DESCRIPTION:
Mark Steiner & His Problems
"FORTITUDE"
from the album "Saudade"
available on limited edition 2x12" 180g vinyl through Rabben Records (Norway)
& on compact disc through Plug Ugly Records (USA)

music video directed, shot & edited by Augusto Lado
produced by Mark Steiner & Augusto Lado
driver / grip / props / production assistant: Ricardo Cunha Marinho

The music video:

In a last-ditch attempt to give the album "Saudade" a final big push, I approached long-time friend, filmmaker, musician and Portuguese pirate Augusto Lado to shoot a music video for the song "Fortitude."
I originally had a specific concept in mind, but Augusto came up with a treatment which made my gut realize that I needed to give him 100% creative control throughout shooting and post-production. I reckon that I was right to do so. Production took place over three rainy days in Porto, Portugal, back in early May of 2016. Invaluable assistance was provided by Ricardo Cunha Marinho, who also helped find the seedy pension as well as provide lots of laughter during the shoot.

The song:

After the initial recording session back in June of 2012, Henry Hugo in all of his enthusiasm threw some ideas and some guitar riffs at me from his home in Zürich. This one stuck. The lyrics came naturally, like a light breeze before the approaching storm of a mid-life crisis. I played the song solo live a few times, but it really came into it's own with Graham and Gunnar in the studio in January, 2014. I think we were all a bit surprised and yet impressed at how heavy it became. Fortunately, Julitha managed to lift it just slightly from the abyss and give the final mix some balance.

lyrics

FORTITUDE
(lyrics by Mark Steiner)

I'm fed up with relying
On a friend who just makes me feel old
Yeah, I am so sick of denying
That they left me out in the cold

I can feel it coming
I could use something new
And I can hear it drumming
I just need some fortitude

My body aches with the sunrise
The staircase pounds on my knees
My eyes shut from the carnage
In the mirror of my near defeat

I can feel it coming
I could use something new
And I can hear it strumming
I just need some fortitude

I carry my constitution
In a sack on my back like a stone
My body still aches as the sun goes down
I stagger back up on the road

I can feel it coming
I could use something new
And I can hear it drumming
I just need some fortitude

©2014 Mark Steiner / Stagger Home Music

credits
from Saudade, released November 6, 2014
FORTITUDE
(lyrics & music by Mark Steiner)
Graham Mansfield: bass
Gunnar Motland: drums
Julitha Ryan: piano
Mark Steiner: vocals, baritone guitar, electric guitar

“Fortitude” mixed by Martin Bisi, additional mix by Mark Steiner
Mastering by Toto Strapporava at PM Studios, Buenos Aires, Argentina