Bones Owens has a brand new six-song EP dropping December 1st, and he’s off to a hot start with title track “Eighteen Wheeler.”
Released last week, as his first single in well over a year and a half, “Eighteen Wheeler” is a tune that’s easier on the ears sonically, utilizing a catchy chorus and understated yet powerful vocals from Owens who draws heavily upon both his country and alternative rock influences. Many are familiar with Owens and his music from the number of shows he has played in support of rowdy rock and rollers like Koe Wetzel and Whiskey Myers, and while Owens will rock out with the best of ‘em in those settings, his latest single ventures slightly from his typical sound but still maintains the essence of what Owens’ catalog is all about.
When you dive deeper into the track, past its mellow sound, “Eighteen Wheeler,” is a heavy song that uses a truck as a metaphor for something much more significant:
“’Eighteen Wheeler’ is a song about a truck, but it’s not a truck song: it’s an allegory for unstoppable love.
Both the artwork and video were shot by my friend and legendary Director of Photography, Keith Leman. We were initially inspired by a Polaroid he took of Heath Ledger in 2002 and it set the tone, visually, for the project.
We sat down over breakfast one day to start writing the treatment, and began to pull inspiration from this film I really liked, ‘A Place Beyond The Pines.’ Thinking about the film and how it’s this beautiful love story with a tragic ending, it just felt closely tied to the heart of the song.
Over time our treatment evolved and took on a life of its own, but in many ways it’s an homage to that film. We wanted to tell a story of the complexities of love when it’s not easy and how far someone will go to try and make it right.”
Directed by Keith Leman, the video begins with the main character, who is played by Owens himself, in a jail cell, and proceeds to show the events that transpired and led him there, all to the music of Owens’ brand new tune.
We’re excited here at Whiskey Riff to bring you the exclusive premiere of Bones Owens’ “Eighteen Wheeler” music video, so without further ado, let this cinematic masterpiece enhance the listening experience:
“Eighteen Wheeler”
Raised in rural Missouri, Owens released his first EP Hurt No One in 2014, three years before his debut record Make Me No King dropped and he began gaining some serious traction within the industry. Following a string of singles over the next few years, it wasn’t until 2021 that his seminal, eponymous album was released in the 13-track Bones Owens.
With his next project, the six track Eighteen Wheeler EP set to release on December 1, Owens catalog is already impressive, but he still has plenty more meaningful music to add. In the meantime, check out a few more songs below.
“Keep It Close”
“Make Me No King”
“White Lines”
