Choir Vandals, an established alternative-rock band in STL, released their newest single “Headlights On”, produced and mixed by Eric Hudson (Foxing), in late January 2022.
In the accompanying music video, directed by the band’s drummer Wil McCarthy, lead vocalist and guitarist Austin McCutchen appears alone in an acoustic setup in a bare, brick-walled studio room. As the verse plunges into chorus, the band members join him in a van, touring around the city at night and jamming in the back as McCutchen focuses on the road. The climax of the black-and-white video convenes to a parking lot, the headlights of a round of cars pouring brightness on the Choir Vandals members, rocking out to conclude their indie rock ballad.
Maybe it’s the nostalgic longing of the song’s lyrical themes, but something about “Headlights On” takes me back to another time. The timbre of McCutchen’s voice, like Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, and the slow push of the guitars and keys forming deep dynamics, like “Lover’s Spit” by Broken Social Scene. If early 2000s indie rock is coming back, I’m here for it. Here’s hoping that Choir Vandals puts out more songs to accompany “Headlights On” in the future.
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Watch the video for Headlights On via Youtube below:
The St Louis Music Report 