Photo by Annie Nelson

Particle Kid, otherwise known as Micah Nelson, has teamed up with his father, legendary musician Willie Nelson on a new single, “Die When I’m High (Halfway to Heaven).” In addition, the multi-generational duo has also released the debut music video for the ditty. Watch now. 

The new track features Micah Nelson on vox, bass, drums and guitar, while his father also lays down some classic magic on vox and guitar. The tune is capped with Mickey Raphael’s proficient harmonica and Gordon Zacharias’ gentle piano. 

“Die When I’m High (Halfway to Heaven)” is an introspective look at life and fate. The Nelsons trade off on the vocals, each singing a verse before coming together to repeat the sentiment:  “And if I die when I’m high, I’ll be halfway to heaven/Or I might have a long way to fall.”

Micah Nelson shared some thoughts behind the creative process involved in tracking the new single he offered, “Sometime back in December 2020, in between endless rounds of chess and dominos, my dad looked up at me and said, ‘If I die when I’m high I’ll be halfway to heaven.’ It took me a second to process, but I said, ‘Dad, that’s the best song title I ever heard. You better write the rest of it quick.’ He said. ‘Why don’t you write it?’ So I did. That night I wrote it for him, about him. It’s really just a love letter to him. A tribute.” 

He went on to add, “At the same time I realized it’s also a sort of ‘fuck you’ to anyone who ever thought of me as some lost prodigal son who doesn’t understand him or respect his legacy just because I’ve never imitated his style or pandered to his audience. HE is the one who gave me my Particle Kid moniker after all.”

Micah Nelson concluded, “We are both freaks, in our time. I’m no prodigal son. I am HIS Particle Kid. I would never try to be him, or even pretend, because nobody will ever be him. But believe it or not I do relate to the Willie fans because I am one of them. They know how incredible and one of a kind he is. So this song is for the real Willie fans too. They get it.”

On April 22, Micah Nelson released a double LP, dubbed Time Capsule. The 26-track album takes listeners on a trip through time, space and consciousness. The newly released music collection emphasizes the musician’s powerful vocals with 90s alt tones and an heir of psychedelic electric jazz. 

Download Time Capsule here.

Stream the official music video below.