From Forthcoming Debut Album ~ Living Through It All ~ on Hardcharger Records
Hardcharger Records proudly announces the release of “Hardcore Believer,” the powerful new single from Courtney Santana, available today. Written by acclaimed singer-songwriter Laura Cantrell, the track is the latest preview of Santana’s debut solo album, Living Through It All, due out April 24, 2026.
Anchored by Santana’s electrifying, gospel-charged vocal, “Hardcore Believer” is a declaration of faith, perseverance, and emotional survival. The song’s slow-burning intensity and spiritual undercurrent allow Santana to fully inhabit its message, transforming Cantrell’s writing into a testimony that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant.
“When Laura approached me about working on her song ‘Hardcore Believer,’ I had to rub my eyes and shake my head a couple of times because I couldn’t believe that such an amazing songwriter would want to collaborate with me,” Santana says. “The story behind the song made my gratitude grow and grow, and I admire Laura’s colorful storytelling and her gentle and beautiful heart. This song she wrote with Mark Winchester is a story of resilience and making the best of the worst in life—something I can relate to, and I think listeners will as well.”
A longtime force in Austin’s music scene, Santana is finally stepping into the spotlight after decades as one of the industry’s most in-demand background vocalists. Her voice has appeared on more than 30 albums and shared stages with Jesse Dayton, Shinyribs, Hootie and the Blowfish, Salt-N-Pepa, Robert Randolph, and Musiq Soulchild, among many others. That wide-ranging experience informs a sound that comfortably weaves together gospel, soul, rock & roll, R&B, and Americana.
Encouraged by Jesse Dayton, founder of Hardcharger Records, Santana’s solo debut is rooted in an extraordinary life story. A survivor of domestic abuse who raised two children while navigating periods of homelessness, Santana has channeled her experiences into both music and advocacy. She is the author of Off Kilter: Getting Right After Abuse, founder of The Survive2Thrive Foundation, and creator of Sanctuary PBC, a tech-based platform connecting survivors of domestic violence with safe housing and support.
Recorded in Austin and co-produced by Dayton, Santana’s debut album is an autobiographical statement of resilience, faith, and self-discovery. With songs that range from fiery rock declarations to gospel-infused soul and tender reflection, the album captures a woman who has lived through unimaginable hardship and emerged with clarity, strength, and purpose.