This past week I was able to catch up with a new indie rock band called Anyone Awake to discuss their latest music video for “Late Night Driver.” I also asked the band about what went into their debut LP called Bushel and a Peck that released today. Since their inception in late 2022, the band has released a series of singles and a couple EPs. Their new LP is a great reflection of their influences that include Nirvana, Pink Floyd, Green Day and Peach Pit. You can listen to Bushel and a Peck here.
How do the visuals in the “Late Night Driver” video complement the themes of longing and introspection presented in the song?
In the video, we mostly looked for a way to integrate driving around at sunset, as it nears the vulnerable peace and the images of the truck at night, similar to what you’d visually see while driving at night. The upbeat music masks the vulnerability in the track, until the chorus, touching on my own individual vulnerabilities, things I have talked about late at night in the car with others. The vibe and atmosphere of the video represent that mask, as it is more of a fun, and energetic ride, before night when we delve deeper into nostalgia and Déjà vu from late night drives.
What can be inferred about the protagonist’s emotional state through their interactions and expressions throughout the video?
The protagonist isn’t necessarily unhappy or happy, just intimate, and masking their own emotions, and allowing themselves to be vulnerable.
What symbols or recurring imagery appear in the video, and how do they enhance the overall message of the song?
”Late Night Driver” touches on interpersonal relationships with your own self. I find that when I drive, especially at night I am left with just my thoughts, which aren’t really expressed outside of loneliness. When driving with close friends at night, it is easier to open up your feelings and have deeper, personal, and vulnerable conversations that allow us to express our lonely thoughts in a safe and peaceful environment.