Salt Lake folk artist Tariq Abou-Bakr drops Valentine’s Day song for his sweetheart

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Love is in the air, and so is the sound of Tariq Abou-Bakr’s heartfelt new single, “Hold Your Ghost,” set to release on Valentine’s Day—a day that will be just as momentous for his partner, World Cup skier Jeanee Crane-Mauzy, who will be competing in the Freeski Halfpipe World Cup in Calgary, Canada.

Abou-Bakr, a rising Salt Lake City-based folk artist known for his soulful storytelling and emotional acoustic sound, is marking this special day with a song that weaves love, loss, and resilience into a melody meant just for Crane-Mauzy. The single, his third release, follows the success of “Cold” and “Run Baby Run” and serves as a deeply personal tribute to their relationship and the challenges she has overcome.

“Hold Your Ghost is a pure love song,” Abou-Bakr explains. “It’s about loving deeply and passionately, and holding space for the people we cherish—even when they are no longer with us.” Inspired by Crane-Mauzy’s journey through adversity and triumph, the song is both a musical love letter and a testament to the enduring power of love.

The release also marks a milestone in Abou-Bakr’s career, as he builds momentum toward his upcoming eight-track EP, a project that showcases his signature blend of folk, acoustic, and soul. His roots in the American West, combined with raw lyricism and a commanding voice, are carving out a place for him in the modern folk music scene.

For now, though, his heart—and his music—belong to Jeanee. As she soars through the air on Valentine’s Day, his voice will be soaring through speakers to show that love, like music, has a way of transcending time and space.

“Hold Your Ghost” will be available on all major streaming platforms starting February 14.