or the past few years, Peter Donovan has made his name as a storyteller and songwriter in the world of indie Americana, playing with Seattle’s All The Real Girls and his side project The Rose Petals. Earlier this year, he broke off with his debut solo record, This Better Be Good, forging together influences from Americana, indie rock, pop songwriters, and ‘70s singer/songwriters. Today, he’s followed the record with a new video for one of its highlights, “Goodbye for Now,” premiering with Under the Radar.
“Goodbye for Now” finds Donovan offering his heartbroken goodbyes to a relationship, recalling the longing plaintive side of early Wilco married with the open-hearted vocal delivery of Conor Oberst. Yet, the result is less aching and melancholic than Donovan’s influences. Instead, he delivers a warm golden ray of wistful indie Americana, bolstered by hints of honky tonk piano, winding guitar, a pounding bridge, and sweet lyricism. Donovan spins a classic pop heartbreak tale, knowing the relationship was doomed to fail, but desperately trying to hold on to hope that his goodbye might not last forever.