Yesterday marked the first anniversary of Philip Seymour Hoffman’s tragic death at the too-young age of 46. RVA’s own Matthew E. White marked the occasion with the release of “Tranquility,” a song from his forthcoming album Fresh Blood.

Yesterday marked the first anniversary of Philip Seymour Hoffman’s tragic death at the too-young age of 46. RVA’s own Matthew E. White marked the occasion with the release of “Tranquility,” a song from his forthcoming album Fresh Blood. The song was written as a tribute to Hoffman, and despite the fact that White works in a different medium, he makes clear the respect he had for Hoffman’s commitment to his craft. Listen to the lush, mournful tune, and read White’s own words in tribute to the actor below.

A year ago today we lost Phillip Seymour Hoffman. I didn’t know Phillip, but I had watched everything he did for 15 years. To me, he was everything one could ever want to be in an artist, and although I am no actor I was much more of a student than a fan. Very soon after his death it became crystal clear to me that I wanted to try very hard and write a song for him. He deserved something from me, something that honored him, and showed how grateful I was for all he had given. His death was immensely sad and as deaths such as these go, leaves us crushed that a life so bright has been dimmed. There is a duality in these circumstances, it’s a place where we find darkness in the light, but more powerfully, we find light in the darkness. I tried to find music that felt the same. It’s my best shot, and it’s called Tranquility.

To a man that showed me, over and over, what excellence and craft is, here is a song for you.

Matthew E. White’s Fresh Blood will be released March 10 on Domino Records. Pre-order it on deluxe 2xLP vinyl or CD HERE. Pre-order the digital version from iTunes HERE.