Nada Surf Challenge ‘Authority’

It’s not always necessary to make a grand, defiant personalstatement in order to ‘stick it to the man’; sometimes, as thebicycle-pedaling protagonist proves in the video for Nada Surf’s newsingle, “Whose Authority,” a series of quiet victories during anordinary day is more than enough. The video, directed by JonathanKrisel, follows a courier cycling his way through the streets of NewYork City, delivering packages (see if you can spot lead singer MatthewCaws’ cameo as a delivery recipient) but also taking in his own simplepleasures — tapping on the sides of passing cars, talking to fellowcyclists, knocking over traffic cones, and even stopping to gaze at amagazine, which is aptly titled Daydream.

The tale is a perfect compliment to Nada Surf’s brand of uplifting indie rock, complete with huge, harmonized ahhsand tinkling bells as Caws defiantly states, “On whose authority / Ihave none over me / On whose authority / No one speaks to me.” Evenfrom 9 to 5, it’s possible to be rebellious — no matter how small theactions are. Nada Surf’s fifth record, Lucky, drops Feb. 5 on Barsuk.

Now Watch This: Nada Surf – “Whose Authority” QUICKTIME

On the Web:
nadasurf.com

Talk: Whose authority do you answer to?