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Who We Are (A Course of Action song)

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"Who We Are"
Single by A Course of Action
from the album Treason
ReleasedJune 13, 2015
Recorded2013–2015
StudioSevenMoore Studios
Genre
Length5:18
Label
Songwriter(s)Jonathan Byrd, John Culberson, Wes Johnson
Producer(s)Beau Hill
A Course of Action singles chronology
"Beautiful"
(2015) 		"Who We Are"
(2015) 		"107"
(2016)
Music video
"Who We Are" on YouTube

"Who We Are" is a song by the American rock band, A Course of Action from their 2015 second album Treason.[1] It was officially released as the album's second single on June 13, 2015.[2][3]

A demo version released for free on ReverbNation in late 2013 seen viral success and gained the band nationwide exposure, leading to numerous music festival appearances allover the nation, a time-slot on the, and nomination for "Best Rock Band" at the 2014 Carolina Music Awards.[4][5]

Background and recording

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Shortly after bassist Wes Johnson joined the band, replacing former bass player and founding member Tony Hawkins, A Course of Action began writing and recording new music that would eventually shape their second full-length album, Treason.[6] “Who We Are” was wrote during these recording sessions spanning from early-to-mid-2013.[7] In late 2013, the band uploaded the demo of “Who We Are” on their ReverbNation page for free to give fans a preview of the new music that would be featured on their then-untitled second studio album.[8]

Within a few weeks after its initial upload to the band’s ReverbNation, the demo went viral, gaining significant traction across social media and music streaming platforms, earning nationwide attention from new fans and media outlets. The song’s popularity led to the band releasing an official music video for the song in early 2014,[9] and also gained the band a nomination for “Rock Band of The Year” at the 2014 Carolina Music Awards,[10] where the demo was also featured on a compilation album released by the organization to highlight that years nominees.[11]

The increased exposure brought on by the success of the demo version of "Who We Are" helped A Course of Action secure a growing number of national performance opportunities.[12] Throughout all of 2014, the band toured extensively as a supporting act for a various prominent, national-known artists and bands at live music venues across the United States and at numerous rock music festivals, including appearances at Rocklahoma music festival and on the main stage at the 2014 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally alongside the bands Sevendust and Buckcherry.[13] These performances further expanded the band’s fanbase and solidified their reputation as a strong live act within the rock circuit.[14]

As momentum continued to build, the band attracted the attention of Star 1 Records, ultimately signing with the label in January 2015 with a distribution deal through INgrooves, a division of Universal Music Group.[15] After their new record deal, A Course of Action re-recorded "Who We Are" resulting in a fully-mastered and final version of the song and revealed it would be released on their new album Treason.[16][17]

"Who We Are" was officially released as the second single from their second album Treason on June 13, 2015, the same day the band opened for Tantric at the 2015 Carolina Summers Craft Beer Music Festival.[18][19] Following the single’s release it was accompanied by a newly produced music video which aired on Viacom-affiliated music platforms, including MTV.[20]

Personnel

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Band members

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  • John Culberson – lead vocals, rhythm guitar[21]
  • Jonathan Byrd – lead guitar[22]
  • Wes Johnson – bass guitar[23]
  • J. T. Silvestri – drums[24]

Production

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Commercial performance

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Although Who We Are did not enter major national charts such as Billboard it helped expand their reach beyond regional rock circuits.[27] However, it did garner online attention and consistent streaming across platforms like Spotify and Apple Music as well as satellite radio stations within the North Carolina and South Carolina region.[28][27]

Music and lyrics

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"Who We Are" explores themes of identity, self-determination, and standing strong in the face of adversity.[29] The chorus acts as a rallying cry for individuality and unity, with lines that speak to breaking free from doubt and embracing one’s true self.[30]

Track listing

[edit]
Who We Are -Single[31]
No.TitleLength
1."Who We Are" (album version)5:18
2."Who We Are" (demo version)4:59
Total length:10:17

References

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  1. ^ "A Course of Action - Treason (2015) Streaming on Spotify". Spotify Web Player. Universal Records. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  2. ^ "Star 1, UMG, INGrooves "Releases" Treason June 8, 2015". A Course of Action. Sheree Bryd. Archived from the original on 18 March 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  3. ^ "A Course Of Action - Who We Are (CD Single)". discogs.com. A Course Of Action. 13 June 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  4. ^ "Carolina Music Awards Rock Compilation, Vol. 1". Allmusic. Carolina Music Awards. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  5. ^ "A Course of Action - Who We Are (Carolina Music Awards Nominee Compilation Album)". allmusic.com. Allmusic Staff. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  6. ^ "ACOA Band Bio". acourseofaction.com. A Course of Action. Archived from the original on 18 March 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  7. ^ "106.5 In Studio Interview tomorrow with Divakar!". A Course Of Action. Jon Bryd. Archived from the original on 18 March 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
  8. ^ "A Course of Action: Discogs "About The Artist"". Discogs. theoryofahinderback. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  9. ^ "A Course of Action - Who We Are (Official Music Video) **Original Demo Version**". Broadjam. A Course of Action. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  10. ^ "Carolina Music Awards 2014 Nominees Compilation Album". Last.fm. Last.fm Staff. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  11. ^ "A COURSE OF ACTION'S 2014 ACCOMPLISHMENTS". A Course of Action.com. ACOA. Archived from the original on 18 March 2016. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
  12. ^ "INTERVIEW: A COURSE OF ACTION – JOHN CULBERSON". Reck Revolt Magazine. Rock Revolt. Archived from the original on 7 August 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  13. ^ "A Course of Action to Rock The Legendary Buffalo Chip". 24/7 Press Release. Staff. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  14. ^ "Hickory Daily Record News Coverage". A Course of Action. Hickory Record. Archived from the original on 9 March 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  15. ^ "Hickory Daily Record – CD Release Coverage". acourseofaction.com. Hickory Daily Record. Archived from the original on 17 March 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
  16. ^ "A Course of Action – Treason Star 1 Records / Universal Music Group – June 8, 2015". Unrated Metal. Edwin van Hoof. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
  17. ^ "TREASON: A Course of Action (2015)". Internet Archive. Edwin van Hoof. 31 July 2015. Archived from the original on 8 April 2025. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
  18. ^ "ACOA: Treason Track list". ReverbNation. STAR 1 RECORDS. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  19. ^ "Tantric / Super Bob / A Light Divided / ALMOST KINGS / A Course Of Action". Bandsintown. Tantric. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  20. ^ "A Course of Action History". ReverbNation. A Course of Action. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  21. ^ "A Course of Action (ACOA) Short Bio". Last.fm. Staff. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  22. ^ "A Course Of Action Band Members And Bio". SonicBirds. Staff. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  23. ^ "North Carolina Band, A Course of Action, Headed to Rocklahoma 2014". prweb.com. Sheree Bryd. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
  24. ^ "A Course Of Action / Bio". ReverbNation.com. ReverbNation. Archived from the original on 27 May 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
  25. ^ "Beau Hill - A Course of Action - Treason - Production Credits". discogs.com. Beau Hill. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
  26. ^ "Jonathan Bryd - A Course of Action - Copperhead (Credits List)". Discogs. Jonathan Bryd. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  27. ^ a b "Treason by A Course of Action (2015)". last.fm. INgrooves Music Group. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  28. ^ "A Course of Action - Who We Are (Streaming on Spotify)". Spotify Music. Universal Music Group. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  29. ^ "Echo Asylum Interview With A Course of Action Lead Singer John Culberson". YouTube. Echo Asylum. 10 March 2015. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  30. ^ "John Culberson from ACOA Interview - March 11, 2015". echo-asylum.com. Echo Asylum. Archived from the original on 27 March 2015. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  31. ^ "Who We Are by A Course of Action - Song Details - Release Info". last.fm. Star 1 Records/INgrooves. 14 October 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
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