There is something about the rasp in Frank Viele’s vocals that just bleeds honesty and truth. His songs feel particularly real, lived-in, and full of stories told with heart and grit. His newest single, a cover of the Bob Seger classic “Against the Wind,” is a perfect example of this, with his vocals inhabiting the story in the song and the stripped-back instrumentation letting the lyrics shine. A perfect entrance point into Viele’s new EP, “The Silo,” which drops in February, “Against the Wind,” in Viele’s voice and hands, is balladic roots-rock perfection, an Americana lullaby of searching and nostalgia, lessons learned and the passing of time. We sat down recently with Viele to explore this new single and talk about his forthcoming EP.

Hi, Frank. Welcome to VENTS! How have you been lately?

Hi! I’ve been pretty good, I think. I’m making more music than ever before, and that’s a great space for me to be in. Definitely feeling grateful.

You have an amazing new single out in January, a cover of the song “Against the Wind,” which was originally by Bob Seger. What can you tell us about your version of the song? What inspired you to record it for your upcoming EP?

I did it on the last day of my recording session. I had some time to burn, so we rolled the tape; I sat behind the mic and started playing it. That’s a live version behind a pair of microphones in the studio. I’ve been playing the tune live for years, as it’s one of my absolute favorites, so it feels awesome to finally get a version on record.

It’s quite different from the original. How did your version of this song come together?

I love taking mid-tempo or upbeat songs with great lyrics and slowing them down to really let the words ring out. It’s an approach I pulled from old soul and gospel records that has just kind of stuck with me over the years. This song, in particular, is one that cuts so deep when it’s slowed down, and it really hits home for me on a different level.

What were the recording sessions like? Any great stories from the studio that you can share with our readers? What was your favorite part about recording this single?

I got to record this EP with my dear friend, Lee DeWyze, producing it, which was an incredible experience because I have opened over 100 concerts for him in the last 10 years. His vantage point of me as an artist is me onstage with nothing but an acoustic guitar, so his approach was built off that, which made these sessions very different than anything I had done previously. It also gave me a chance to really explore production in a different way, and I got to really compose these songs production-wise alongside Lee and his longtime producer, Nico Grossfeld. It’s the first time I’m playing slide guitar on a recording and the first time I’m playing my nylon-string guitar, so that in itself was exciting for me.

What made you decide to choose this song as a single?

Honestly, it’s the only song on the record I did fully live, and so it’s the only one I had a video of. The vibe felt special, and the song hits differently for me after being on the road for over 15 years, so I guess it just felt like a great gateway into this new collection of recordings.

What kind of sound or vibe were you trying to achieve on this song? Did it change or morph at all in the studio while you were working on it?

I changed a few chords for sure to make the slower tempo connect the way I wanted. As I said, I think this song cuts in a different way when it’s sung as a pure ballad, and I wanted to just simply lay it out there. I didn’t expect it to make the record, but, in the end, it just felt like it fit.

How do you feel about releasing the single now? What kind of emotions are coming forth as you share this song with the world?

I’m remembering the first time I sang the song live in 2017 and how it became a staple of my live shows opening on tour for folks like John Waite. Honestly, releasing this song feels like I’m closing out a chapter of my journey and starting a new one. Really, this whole EP feels like a bridge to the next pathway for me, so I’m both excited and, of course, a bit nervous.

What aspect of the song are you most proud of?

I’m proud that I got through the live recording with only one squeak from my stool making it on the track. I say that in jest, but it was definitely a concern of mine.

What else do you have on tap for 2026?

2026 is going to be a big year as I’ll be headlining shows all over North America in support of The Silo EP, which drops on February 20th. I’ll also be heading back to Muscle Shoals, Alabama, to record the full-length follow up to The Trouble With Desire album. There’s a few other recording projects in the works I can’t talk about yet, as well as lots of charitable music festivals across the East Coast that my record label, Bigger Beast Records, will be running. I’m sincerely excited and I can’t wait to hit the road!