Prism Prize Video: Black Mountain - Licensed to Drive

By External Source

The 2019 Prism Prize for Best Canadian Music Video was awarded to Kevan Funk, for his clip for Belle Game’s Low. We will continue to profile noteworthy Canadian videos, including this one from a Vancouver psych-rock band with an international following.

Black Mountain - Licensed to Drive

Internationally-acclaimed Vancouver rock group Black Mountain released the 8-bit video game music video, Licensed to Drive, last May. 

Director Zev Deans says, "Licensed to Drive is a deep dive into the soul of a late 1970s living room, an exploration of the deep psychedelic fantasy at the core of the birth of the videogame."

As described on their website, “Licensed to Drive would easily be the most exhilarating and dangerous ripper on a titular film’s soundtrack, a dose of heavy right before the muscle car’s wheels fly off going 100 mph on the freeway.”

Band member Stephen McBean says, “A riff in a flat and some Neu / Nugent / Newman Motorik hustle. Was the vacation better than the journey or did the drive etch itself into your soul? I’d like to thank the DMV for the inspiration.”

Directed by Zev Deans

Produced by Brendan McGowan

DP: Vivian Gray

Line Producer: Toula Sweeney

Dream Catcher: Bradley Bailey