Indie-pop newcomer Asha Jefferies has released her new single ‘Cruise Control’ alongside a split screen video shot in her hometown of Brisbane, Australia.
‘Cruise Control’ – Asha’s first for new label home Nettwerk (Miya Folick, Flyte) – was produced and mixed by Sam Cromack of widely adored Brisbane band Ball Park Music, in his cosy studio Prawn Records in the inner north of the city.
With such a wide range of influence and comparison, Jefferies’ songs are euphoric in more ways than one; coming from the most vulnerable depths of a young woman learning to express her queerness. Written in a time of tremendous change, discovery and exploration, Asha notes the impact of acts including Lucy Dacus, Radiohead and Big Thief on the creation of ‘Cruise Control’, with the song moving between pensive indie-rock and soaring, radiant indie-pop.
Of the new song, Asha said – “To be in cruise control is to ride steady and smoothly through the storms of rough climate, harsh roads, lame parties, and undesired romantic gestures. It’s a phrase I have kept close, after a lesson learned on testing my boundaries and finding the confidence to trust my gut. It’s a growing-up anthem, cultivating comfort in my own skin and exercising what feels right and what doesn’t.”
The song’s accompanying music video directed by Cody Wood was inspired by inspired by 500 Days of Summer and its expectation vs reality split screen scene. Asha went on to say: “Both Cody [Wood] and I love how split screen’s can tell a story of different versions of the self. We filmed over two nights and features my older sister Tiana, who has taught me a lot about finding my own voice and trusting myself.”
