Press Release - Theo Day Opens 2026 With “Make Believe”
A Tender Indie-Folk Duet That Captures Love Between Hope & Heartbreak
Some songs feel like a quiet confession. Others feel like a late-night conversation you never want to end. “Make Believe,” the new single from Theo Day featuring Olivia Ridgely, lives somewhere between the two.
Out March 17, 2026, Make Believe marks Theo’s first release of the year — and a defining emotional step forward. Built on vulnerability, devotion, and longing, the track explores the fragile space where love and uncertainty coexist. It’s about holding onto someone while fearing they may slowly slip away, hoping the connection you feel is real — not imagined.
“Find me between heaven and hell / Find me in every secret that you tell.”
From its opening lines, the song pulls listeners into a world of emotional surrender and quiet desperation. Theo’s delicate vocal performance is met with the haunting presence of Montreal-based artist Olivia Ridgely, whose ethereal tone transforms the track into a powerful dialogue between two hearts navigating distance, devotion, and doubt.
At the center of the song lies one longing plea:
“I’m just hoping you ain’t make believe.”
It’s a line that captures the core of the song — the fear of loving someone who might not fully stay, and the ache of needing reassurance in the face of emotional uncertainty.
A Song Born at Evergreen
“Make Believe” was originally written during the inaugural Evergreen Music songwriting camp in November 2025, bringing together Theo Day, Grace Turner (City Builders), Adrian Irvine (The AI), Takayla McGhie-Betty (Takaayla), and Delorean Black. The session produced an early demo that immediately stood out for its strong & emotional lyrics and melody.
But the song didn’t fully come alive until earlier this year, when Theo brought it into studio sessions with Pops & Poolboy, whose production elevated the track into a powerful, immersive experience. The record blends warm acoustic textures, restrained percussion, and swelling atmospheric layers — striking a balance between folk intimacy and modern indie pop.
Final touches came from Nil Ister, who mixed and mastered the track, delivering a rich, emotionally resonant sonic landscape that allows every lyric to breathe.
Theo Day: A Voice Built on Honesty
Over the past year, Theo Day has quietly emerged as one of Canada’s most emotionally compelling new singer-songwriters.
His debut single, Somewhere Shallow, surpassed 25,000 streams in its first month, landed on 200+ playlists, and generated strong algorithmic traction. Follow-up release, Medicine Cabinet, expanded that momentum, earning national radio play on CBC Radio and ICI Musique, alongside notable editorial placements and press coverage. His debut EP Homegrown continued the rise, securing editorial playlist support across Spotify and Amazon Music, including multiple cover placements. Theo now sits at roughly 100k global streams across all releases, only 6 months following his first release.
Blending folk intimacy, Americana grit, and modern indie-pop textures, Theo’s music draws natural comparisons to artists like Vance Joy, Zach Bryan, and Noah Kahan — yet his voice and storytelling remain unmistakably his own.
With Make Believe, Theo deepens that identity, leaning further into vulnerability, emotional nuance, and narrative songwriting.
A New Chapter for Evergreen
For Evergreen Music Company, Make Believe represents more than just a single release. It embodies our creative mission: to create meaningful spaces where artistry, collaboration, and emotional storytelling thrive.
From songwriting camps to production, strategy, and rollout, this project reflects Evergreen’s holistic approach — nurturing songs from their earliest emotional spark through to global release.
As we open a new chapter in 2026, Make Believe stands as a powerful reminder of why we build: to create music that feels human, honest, and deeply connective.
Out March 17, 2026
“Make Believe” by Theo Day featuring Olivia Ridgely arrives March 17, 2026, on all streaming platforms.
This is a song for late nights, long drives, heavy hearts, and quiet hope — for anyone who’s ever loved deeply and wondered if the feeling was mutual.
Between heaven and hell, there’s Make Believe.
