San Francisco-via-New York indie artist lucky break has unveiled a special new version of her fan-favourite single “Head Down,” this time joined by acclaimed musician and former Hole and Smashing Pumpkins bassist Melissa Auf der Maur. The collaboration arrives alongside an inventive stop-motion music video and continues the momentum surrounding lucky break’s debut album made it!, which is available now via Fire Records.
A Full-Circle Collaboration Inspired by 90s Alternative Rock
For lucky break, working with Auf der Maur represents a significant milestone. The artist has long cited the alternative rock icon as one of her biggest influences, making the collaboration a deeply personal achievement.
“Head Down” originally emerged as one of the standout tracks on made it!, blending bright guitars and dreamy indie-rock textures with themes exploring moral complacency, consumer culture and the desire for instant gratification. The updated version adds a new dynamic through Auf der Maur’s distinctive contribution, creating a bridge between generations of alternative music.
Auf der Maur, known for her work with legendary bands Hole and The Smashing Pumpkins, praised lucky break’s songwriting and artistic vision, highlighting the authenticity that drives the project.
A Music Video Inspired by Early Internet Culture
The accompanying visual takes a unique approach through stop-motion animation, incorporating lucky break’s own illustrations. Inspired by the “storytime” videos that populated early YouTube during the late 2000s and early 2010s, the video explores themes of self-discovery, mental health and online community.
According to lucky break, the concept pays tribute to a formative period of internet culture when young women increasingly shared personal experiences online. The artist also incorporated an illustration she previously mailed to Auf der Maur, adding another personal layer to the collaboration.
Fans can watch the official video and stream the track through lucky break’s official channels and the artist’s label page on Fire Records.
Inside made it! — A Debut Album Years in the Making
The release follows lucky break’s debut album made it!, a collection of songs written between the ages of 19 and 23 that document the uncertainty, heartbreak and self-discovery of early adulthood. The record was created after the artist moved abroad to teach English, experienced her first major heartbreak and began transforming those experiences into music.
Produced alongside Elliott Woodbridge and mixed and mastered by Grammy-nominated engineer Jessica Thompson, the album draws inspiration from an eclectic mix of artists including Fiona Apple, Lucinda Williams and Joni Mitchell while embracing the spirit of 1990s indie and alternative rock.
Music critics have responded positively to the project, with KEXP describing it as a compelling collection of introspective indie rock, while Clash praised “Head Down” for its blend of 90s-inspired indie-pop textures and modern songwriting. These qualities have helped establish lucky break as one of the most promising emerging voices in the independent music scene.
Lucky Break Continues U.S. Tour Dates This Summer
Following the release of made it!, lucky break is continuing to perform across the United States throughout the summer, including select dates with Nashville artist Maisy Owen.
The live dates offer fans the opportunity to experience the artist’s emotionally charged songwriting alongside the colourful visual world she has built through original illustrations, zines and bespoke artwork that accompany the music.
Follow Lucky Break
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luckybreakmusic
- Bandcamp: https://luckybreakmusic.bandcamp.com
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@luckybreakmusic
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@luckybreakmusic
