Going Undone: Finding the Truth in Autumn Drive's New Sound

Photo by @Shantifurtado

In a music landscape often dominated by viral clips and digital metrics, the New Bedford, Massachusetts-based band Autumn Drive is carving out a distinctly human space. Composed of Charlie Gamache (vocals, guitar, 24), Aidan Parker (guitar, 27), Patrick Igoe (bass, 23), and Joe Gauvin (drums, 25), the band is less concerned with becoming social media famous and more focused on the visceral, in-person connection with their audience. They’re a testament to the power of community, collaboration, and the sheer, unadulterated joy of live performance.

Photo by Michael Morrissey

Autumn Drive is a product of their tightly-knit South Coast music scene. All members came from separate bands but were familiar faces in the New Bedford/Massachusetts circuit. Frontman Charlie Gamache, who initially dreamed of moving beyond the bar cover band circuit, was the driving force behind the band's formation. After an early realization that his former project had plateaued, he and the then-drummer Andrew decided to get serious. They recruited Aidan—a friend of Andrew’s—on guitar, and then brought in Patrick Igoe, a musician they all knew and respected. The chemistry was immediate, and their debut EP was released just two months after their first jam session, proving their immediate synchronicity.

The band’s lineup solidified with the addition of drummer Joe Gauvin last summer, just before the release of their second EP. Joe and Patrick had a history, having played in a high school band together, and Charlie, who had previously jammed with Joe, knew he was the right fit. This final configuration is what defines the current sound and dynamic of Autumn Drive.

The band’s evolution has been defined by a deep and sometimes challenging commitment to trust and collaboration. Charlie, who began his musical journey as a solo artist, admits this was a learning curve. While he still handles the majority of the songwriting, the process has become increasingly collaborative. This shift is evident when comparing their first EP to their newest, “Going Undone.” The debut was simply “a group of friends just messing around,” whereas today, the band is a dedicated unit creating their own version of art. The new songs are starting to sound distinctly like Autumn Drive, rather than just Charlie’s compositions taught to the band.

“Going Undone” is a rich collection of music, primarily focused on change, relationships, and experimentation with new sounds. Much of their material is born from the personal experiences the band endures—songs about love, heartbreak, and life after college. Yet, Charlie is also fascinated by the idea of creating something beautiful from the mundane, like a song about a cigarette, constantly pushing himself to be a better storyteller. For him, the most challenging emotional experiences to write about are the ones that are the most direct and personal—the songs that offer a window straight into the songwriter's life.

For a band that travels extensively across New England and recently completed a successful 30-show summer tour, their main form of transportation has become an indispensable part of their identity: a famous 1997 Dodge Ram 3500. Affectionately known as the “Autumn Driver,” the truck has transcended its utility, becoming a staple both in the local music industry and on social media, often getting them recognized on the daily.

Despite this online visibility, the core of Autumn Drive’s popularity is their live shows. They openly prioritize in-person interactions over online presence. While they understand the necessity of social media in the modern era, they find a genuine connection with a person far more important than a comment section interaction. This focus on community has paid off, with a loyal following that has tracked them from New Bedford to venues in Amherst and Newport.

Their live performances offer a striking contrast to their recorded sound. While their music online gives the impression of an indie-rock band, they bring a potent, rock-and-roll energy to the stage. As Charlie explains, they can seamlessly transition from a softer tune like “Booster Seat” by Spacey Jane to the driving energy of “Take Me Out” by Franz Ferdinand. This versatility allows them to play everything from 30-minute tight sets to four-hour bar gigs, though Charlie admits he prefers playing a long set composed strictly of their original music—an "addicting feeling" of seeing a crowd truly enjoying your own art.

Photo by Michael Morrissey

Their sound is inspired by bands that take risks in production, such as Fontaines D.C. and Boston’s Winkler, alongside the timeless genius of The Beatles. When producing their own music, Autumn Drive aims for a “raw but clean” sound. They seek to be as tight as possible while still leaving a bit of that live, raw factor—they love the idea of the “unintentional intentional,” as evidenced by the accidental bum note on the intro guitar of their song “Work Out” that they loved and kept.

The journey for Autumn Drive is one of tireless dedication. Every member of the band maintains a job outside of music. The members live double lives, often leading to punishing but awarding schedules. Charlie describes the reality of getting home from a show at 3 AM on a Thursday, only to have to wake up at 6 AM for his day job. Their dedication to the craft, despite the demands, is a defining trait.

Their hard work is being recognized, most recently earning them a spot at Indie Night Live at Sonia in Boston alongside Fai Laci and Rohna—a "badge of honor" in a city Charlie describes as traditionally tough for the indie scene. While Boston is still known for headline acts, Charlie sees the tide turning, with more bands working to replicate the community-driven scene found in places like New York.

As for the future, Autumn Drive's success is no longer tied to one specific goal. They achieved a previous three-year pact to play the Levitate Music Festival this past year, which they count as an amazing opportunity. Now, their vision of “making it” has become less about a single milestone and more about a collective, undeniable feeling that they will simply “be able to feel.”

For the immediate future, they are excited to showcase their new music on their recently launched fall schedule, which includes a highly anticipated week-long run down South. However, for Charlie, two venues stand out: The Iron Horse in Northampton, which he calls “one of the coolest venues in Mass,” and their third annual show at The Vault in New Bedford, which they have sold out two years in a row.

Autumn Drive is a band that speaks to the power of the present moment. They are a rock and roll force that believes in making real, tangible connections. If you like the sounds of Bedsweater or The Stripers, you’ll fall in love with a band that is going beyond the buzz to create something enduring and honest. They are a band that asks the question in their own song, “When will it work out?”—and by all accounts, they are already figuring out the answer, one electrifying live show at a time.

Written by Mckenzie Blasi