This week’s Artist of the Week is indie-pop band Driveaway. Based in Gainesville, Florida, the members of the band are brothers Trenton Ropp (vocals) and Tanner Ropp (bass), as well as Kyle Tapley (lead guitar). Since forming in 2016, they released their debut album, Lacuna, and have put out a series of singles since then. Their most recent single, “Summer Song”, is a repeat-worthy bop that will most definitely be added to countless summer playlists. I had the opportunity to get some insight about the inspiration and making of “Summer Song” from the band.

“Summer Song” perfectly captures the feeling of living in a daydream - highlighting how it might feel really good but there comes a point where you have to snap yourself back to reality. Trenton stated, “I think the lyric ‘I just close my eyes and fake the dreams’ drove that idea—it originally was just a description of what someone who is pretending to sleep is doing in their head, but it turned into more of a metaphor once I started singing it more while writing the song. Turning old happy times into nostalgic dreams can be such a wonderful feeling, but Summer Song looks at what happens when that is done too much and becomes more of a vehicle for lying to oneself about a failing relationship.” 

Upon first listening to the track, the elements of the song, when combined, create what can only be described sonically as the feeling of nostalgia. When asked about the components and the nostalgic feeling they create, Trenton added, “At first I hesitated with just keeping that guitar strumming so static, but I ended up loving how it makes you feel like you’re in a stasis, which is so similar to how it feels to daydream. I think keeping the drums so minimal and soft in the first part of the song makes the whole thing feel so smokey and dreamy as well”. 

Since Driveaway can’t play live shows right now, they are mainly focusing on enhancing their visual brand and have some music videos in the works. They are also working on releasing an EP, but until then, check out “Summer Song” on all platforms now!

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