Photo: Grace Pendleton

Why Bonnie recall childhood trips on the chiming and reservedly nostalgic “Galveston”

In the first release since their 2020 Voice Box EP, Texas band Why Bonnie has unveiled a new single. “Galveston” ushers a more substantial indie rock sounds after their bedroom dream pop stylings of the past, and it’s a quietly dazzling track that swims up to you gently to grab your attention. Of the track songwriter/vocalist Blair Howerton says:

“[It’s] an ode to Galveston, Texas — the capital of ghosts and good memories. One of the most literal recollections of growing up in Southeast Texas, ‘Galveston’ is a snapshot of an old childhood haunt. I wanted the video to reflect the experience of digging through old memories which sometimes really feels like finding little spotlights coming through the darkness.

Like the exploratory video (directed by Grace Pendleton), the band go about the song with an approach of curiosity like they are rummaging through old photographs and videos. Bassist Chance Williams treads softly over each moment at the start, like Howerton stepping on the sand in the video, all before a flash of guitars come into the mix briskly to bring a sense of alarm to fact that childhood memories aren’t as clear as they were. “When I try to remember it / I can’t,” Howerton confesses, capturing that sad feeling we all have occasionally come to terms with: the fact that memories are fleeting. Fittingly Howerton wanders a beach at night time with a metal detector, looking for something that can feel impossible to find in the back of our minds. Anyone who has struggled to remember something from their past will no doubt be able to relate to the feeling the video conjures.

Watch the video for “Galveston” below or stream it on your preferred service.

“Galveston” is out now on Fat Possum. Stay up to date with Why Bonnie via Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Why Bonnie also have some North American tour dates ahead of them:

Thu. Nov. 11 – Grand Rapids, WI @ The Pyramid Scheme *
Fri. Nov. 12 – Urbana, IL @ Canopy Club *
Sat. Nov. 13 – Cleveland Heights, OH @ Grog Shop *
Mon. Nov. 15 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Thunderbird Cafe & Music Hall *
Tue. Nov. 16 – Richmond, VA @ Richmond Music Hall at Capitale Ale House^
Thu. Nov. 18 – Hamden, CT @ Space Ballroom ^
Fri. Nov. 19 – South Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground ^
Sat. Nov. 20 – Albany, NY @ Empire Underground ^
Sun. Nov. 21 – Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar ^
Tue. Nov. 23 – Nashville, TN @ The Basement East ^
Mon. March 14 – Sun. March 20, 2022 – Austin, TX @ SXSW

*= supporting Post Animal
^= supporting Post Animal & Ron Gallow