Love & Loss in the Recession. "The Optimist" is the human condition as told through the eyes of the young men of City Rain. While every man has the capability to create his or her own personal hell, there is inversely their capability to manifest redemption. "The Optimist" is the story of the way back. Having graduated from Temple University in 2009 Ben Runyan and Scott Cumpstone lived 2 very different lives but were on a path to a familiar place. Ben was starting the City Rain moniker playing hipster nodding electronic shows while Scott was busy treating the pop rock circuit to his brand of guitar. Between then and "The Optimist" Runyan would lose the love of this short life, lose 2 close friends, have his brain fried after 12 years of SSRI use , lose 2 jobs, work 3, and all the while build his name. Despite it all he kicked the can far enough down the rode to meet Cumpstone at distinctly the right moment. Forming the new duo in late 2012, "The Optimist" was born. It was born knowing that we are all terminal. But despite the fate of our demise, we find one thing to recognize. It's our fulfillment.