Backseat Mafia is delighted to premiere ‘From U (For U)’, the debut single and accompanying video from Italian-born, Byron Bay-based indie-rock artist Marco Anastasio. Beneath its breezy guitars and infectious grooves lies a deeply personal story of grief, regret and the enduring connection between a father and son.
Originally from Tuscany, Anastasio began playing guitar and singing at a young age before moving to London to pursue music production and songwriting. Now based in Byron Bay, he makes his official debut with a track that draws on those years of musical exploration while confronting one of the most difficult experiences of his life.
‘From U (For U)’ is built around fuzzy guitars, warm synths and a laid-back psychedelic groove, with Anastasio’s vocals climbing into a higher register as the choruses gather momentum. But it’s the inclusion of recordings of his late father’s voice that gives the track its emotional weight, cutting through the upbeat instrumentation with a reminder of the loss at its centre.
Anastasio’s father died in 2018, leaving him to wrestle with the complicated feelings surrounding his decision to leave Italy for London. The song explores the time they never had together, the questions left unanswered and the difficult balance between pursuing your own ambitions and being present for those you love.
The accompanying video, directed by Anastasio and produced by Ethan Harris-Cross, takes that emotional conflict into surreal territory. Archival family footage sits alongside dreamlike scenes of Anastasio struggling to connect with the world around him. Parties unfold, people celebrate and life carries on, while he remains caught between the present and memories of his father.
Among the video’s more striking images is an eye suspended by a thread, representing the presence of someone who is gone but continues to influence the person left behind.
For a debut release, ‘From U (For U)’ reveals an artist willing to put something deeply personal at the centre of his music. Its bright indie-rock exterior makes the contrast all the more affecting, allowing grief and affection to coexist without overwhelming the song.
‘From U (For U)’ and its accompanying video are released on Friday, November 13. Watch the video exclusively premiered by Backseat Mafia below.
