Ben Kweller unpacks an abundance of teenage angst in regards to bullying for his latest single, “Careless”. Kweller an indie rock singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist is coming back from a hiatus of sorts. It has been 7 years since he released a solo effort, 2012’s Go Fly A Kite, Kweller’s 5th studio album. Kweller is releasing his forthcoming 6th studio album later this year titled, Circuit Boredom.
The music video for “Careless” opens with Kweller and his accompanied band in a velvet room. With the song’s intro and a wail from bassist Matt McDonald, the audience dives into a world with haters aplenty waiting outside for Kweller. Kweller’s carefree, flipping the bird attitude is reflective of the song’s deep-seated message that bullies aren’t allowed. According to an article on Central Track, the inspiration behind the track comes from Kweller’s YouTube description of the video, “This song goes out to the 3,000,000 kids bullied every year in the USA. It’s a middle finger to the bullies who judge and it’s a shot in the arm to the victims. If you’re heading back to school this month, or if you’re out of school and still struggling in any way, trying to fit in, I want you to know that you don’t have to fit in. You can walk your own beautiful path and hold your head up high.”
It was five years ago, that Kweller himself thought he was done with the music industry altogether. Kweller and his family survived a freak accident involving a carbon monoxide leak in a cabin they were vacationing in New Mexico.
Kweller, along with his wife and two sons, were asleep during the aforementioned 2013 incident. According to an article on Consequence of Sound Kweller said, “I immediately jumped out of bed and collapsed to the ground,” Kweller recalls in a press release. “We instinctively crawled to the front door and opened it. Fresh air rushed in the cabin. I called 911. We grabbed the boys out of bed, trying to shake them awake, and managed to get everyone outside in the snow. The boys were crying and falling in and out of consciousness — it was like something out of a horror film.”
It is yet to be confirmed the exact release date of Circuit Boredom. For now, Kweller’s fans can find peace knowing he’s alive and well, with a refreshing take on taking on bullies.
To listen to “Careless” stream the singles’ latest music video below, via YouTube.
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