Annie DiRusso’s latest single is all about a guy you — unfortunately — know. The percussion-heavy, witty, blistering guitar track is rampant with nods to “my friend’s shitty ass film school ex-boyfriend who’s always telling people how to make their art but never really making any of his own,” DiRusso tells us. Just before the track peaks, merging her voice over a swirl of guitar chords, she howls: “You know what I think’s cheap?/ Saying you’re a writer and not writing anything.” Brilliant.
The Nashville-based, New York City-raised singer-songwriter brought together friends for the Coyote Ugly-inspired visuals for the track — premiering today on PAPER. Singer Eliza McLamb, internet darlings Kelley Heyer and Caroline Calloway star in the video, with comedian Caleb Hearon taking on directorial duties for the video — all coming together to tell the story of a “crazy girl in the big city following her dreams,” DiRusso says.
Today also marks the release of DiRusso’s debut album, Super Pedestrian. “A lot of the album is about this push and pull of acceptance and resistance. It’s me learning to surrender and about not being in the passenger seat of your own life (even though I never officially got my driver’s license),” DiRusso says of her visceral and vulnerable first album.
Below, DiRusso shares more on “Good Ass Movie” and what she’s most excited to share with fans next.
How do you hope fans feel when they hear “Good Ass Movie?”
I hope it makes them feel like they got the magic in them.
How did you translate the song into the video?
To me this song is such a four piece rock band song and I really wanted to capture that in the video. Additionally, Caleb Hearon and I wanted to pay homage to one of our favorite good ass movies of the early oughts, Coyote Ugly, about a crazy girl in the big city following her dreams.
What are some challenges or highlights from creating the music video?
Highlights were working with my friends and having so many people extend their various talents. Challenges were dancing in heels all day (I’m a sneaker pedestrian).
What are you working on and excited to share with fans next?
My debut album Super Pedestrian comes out today and I’m going on tour later this month. Every night is going to be a “Good Ass Movie.”
Photography: Danica Robinson, Emilio Herce