Peter Vance Takes You On A Road-Trippin’ Adventure In His New Music Video, “Nothing To Lose”
Today, Canadian singer-songwriter Peter Vance released the music video for his debut country music single, “Nothing to Lose”.
The video perfectly encapsulates the carefree essence of the song, immersing the viewer in the storyline of a fun, laid-back, road-trippin’ adventure that breathes life into the lyrics and melodies.
The single, which made its streaming debut in June 2023, marked a strong introduction to Vance’s distinctive musical style and songwriting ability as a country recording artist. To date, the single has garnered radio play on 28 country radio stations across Canada.
Penned by Vance in the depths of winter while yearning for warmer weather, the song flows effortlessly, resulting in the perfect road-trip anthem.
“When I write songs I typically like to visualize the concept right away. With Nothing to Lose, I knew I wanted to paint a picture of filling up the cooler, piling everyone in the Jeep, and hitting the open road,” says Peter. “When it came to shooting the video everything just came so naturally. We were having a blast, and that’s why it looks so good on camera.”
Produced by Clint Curtis (known for his work with Jason Benoit and Justin Fancy), the track blends influence from the pop charts with the heartfelt and authentic lyrics that country music is renowned for. “Nothing To Lose” is the first in a series of singles and videos that Vance plans to unveil throughout 2023 and early 2024 before releasing a full-length album.
Hi Peter, please tell us about your new music video for “Nothing To Lose”.
Filming this was an absolute blast! I joined forces with Stephen Green and Brad Tuck from Centre City Media and Film in St. John’s to create what I like to call the ultimate road trip narrative. I pitched this ambitious idea to Stephen back in the Spring— a cinematic journey perfectly syncing with the vibe of the song. It’s the first music video where I truly felt 100% myself. I invited some of my closest friends and fantastic local talents like Eliza King and Cassandra Roche to be in the video, and we pulled off something truly special. There’s a nostalgic charm when you see a hand sticking out of a moving vehicle’s window. I really hope audiences connect with it.
“Nothing To Lose” is your first release as a country recording artist. What was the appeal of re-inventing yourself in the country genre? Did it just feel like a natural progression from the music you were releasing before?
Country music rediscovered me at a crucial point in my life. I had reached a moment where I was questioning my identity and the kind of artist/person I aspired to be. Before dropping “Nothing to Lose,” I was navigating the pop music scene, slowly realizing I was losing touch with myself. I grew up on what I like to call “3 Chords and the Truth,” surrounded by the sounds of country and rock radio— artists like Vince Gill, Eric Church, and Keith Urban, to bands like Bon Jovi & Def Leppard, and more. I missed the authenticity of the music – those good songs crafted on an acoustic guitar. Was it a natural progression from my previous endeavors? Perhaps not, but it feels right like I’ve finally found my community. Moreover, Country music has evolved into a pop-rock format, allowing me to draw from the 80s/90s rock influences instilled in me by my parents.
Can we expect more music from you in the future? More singles? An album? What’s the game plan?
Yes! A lot of music is in the works. I’m sitting on a full album’s worth of material. I have at least 5 new singles that I’m hoping to roll out by the summer of 2024 and then put out a full album. There is a lot of planning involved, and timing is everything! I’m also working on putting together a band for the live show, and will hopefully be going into rehearsals in November.
What do you think the biggest challenge is being a country artist in Canada? Do you feel you are at a disadvantage living in Newfoundland, and how do you accommodate for that?
Right now, the Canadian Country music scene is buzzing with incredible talent, but it’s extra competitive and saturated right now. It makes it harder to be a standout artist and to reach the masses, and that is quite possibly the biggest challenge right now. Despite being proud of my province, historically we’ve been a bit off the radar when it comes to global pop culture, which makes things tricky for us artists. We’ve got heaps of talent in our province, but the focus on culture and tourism hasn’t exactly put the spotlight on commercial and original music. There are extra hoops to jump through just to be seen and heard but we roll with it, using social media and other networking tricks to keep pushing forward. Making a living in the arts in Newfoundland is a privilege we don’t take for granted! I think the formula for great country music is all about clever wordplay and innovation. Freshly crafting a familiar idea isn’t a walk in the park—it takes skill. Essentially, it boils down to great songs. Not just good songs. They must be world-class. A winning combination involves a great concept with excellent lyrics, all tied together with a catchy hook. There’s no shortcut around that. The significant shift from two decades ago to now is that we’re becoming more socially aware. Lyrics carry more weight in 2023. With shorter attention spans, we’re also open to experimenting with styles to unearth our true selves. Country music is no longer confined to a single audience; it’s for everyone, whether you hail from a small town or not.
What is on your bucket list for 2024?
A Top 30 single at Country Radio would #1 on my list. After that, a direct support slot on a national tour would be a dream come true. GOALS! GOALS! GOALS!