Jack Van Cleaf Reimagines ‘Rattlesnake’ With Zach Bryan

Singer-songwriter Jack Van Cleaf will release his sophomore album, JVC, on May 9 via Dualtone Records. Van Cleaf recruited fellow singer-songwriter Zach Bryan for the album’s lead single, “Rattlesnake.”

Originally appearing on Van Cleaf’s 2022 debut album, Fruit From The Trees, “Rattlesnake” caught the attention of Bryan, who recorded the reimagined JVC version with Van Cleaf and co-producer Eddie Spear at Electric Lady Studios in New York City. The same group of collaborators Van Cleaf met while attending Belmont University in Nashville and contributed to the original “Rattlesnake” also appears on the updated version.

“Zach started sharing the song on social media, then eventually sent me a DM that said, ‘If you ever want to record a version of this with me, I’m in!'” Jack said. “Zach really inspired me in the studio. I was moved by his dedication to the moment and capturing something alive, rather than painstakingly pursuing perfection with endless takes.”

“To become the best of friends with people through music in the city,” added Bryan. “Think that may be the point of all this. Jack [and] me re-recorded one of the best written songs of all time (Jack is a genius) and hope [you] guys listen to it.”

Along with Bryan, JVC sees Van Cleaf joined by Austin Burns, Ethan Fortenberry, Hunt Pennington, Adam Carpenter, Nathan Cimino and Aaron Krak, as well as Annika Bennett and Heaven Schmitt (Grumpy). The track “Teenage Vampire” features special guest Gatlin.

After achieving success behind the original “Rattlesnake” release, Van Cleaf suffered from self-doubt. He opted to retreat to remote places like Joshua Tree and the Texas/Mexico border to record the foundation of JVC with producer Alberto Sewald.

“I felt like I was staring into an emotional desert when I wrote these songs,” Van Cleaf explained, “experiencing this feeling of desolation around me and looking for little signs of life.”

Van Cleaf will celebrate the release of JVC in his current hometown of Nashville with a concert on May 8 at The Blue Room. Watch the video for “Rattlesnake” featuring Zach Bryan below:

JVC Tracklist

1. Off to the Races
2. Piñata
3. Still
4. Rattlesnake (feat. Zach Bryan)
5. Using You
6. Go Home, Danny
7. Shouldn’t Have Gone to L.A.
8. Thinkin’ About It
9. Green
10. Teenage Vampire (feat. Gatlin)
11. Smoker
12. Hikikomori
13. Couch Potato
14. Life