Toronto songwriter and composer Neil Haverty has released “What I Don’t Need,” a reflective new indie single that examines the struggle between staying true to yourself and responding to the needs of the people around you. Known for leading the alt-folk ensemble Bruce Peninsula and for scoring films like Wildhood, Haverty returns with a track that blends emotional tension, quiet mood, and bursts of intensity.
Written and performed by Haverty and produced by long-time collaborator Leon Taheny, the song begins with soft, thoughtful verses carried by dark synths and a sense of isolation. As it builds, heavy drums and sharp guitar lines push the music into a loud, cathartic chorus, mirroring the way inner conflict can swing between silence and sudden force. The production leans on a quiet-loud structure often found in classic alternative music, giving the track a shifting emotional landscape.
“What I Don’t Need” arrives alongside a new music video directed by animator Luca Tarantini (AOK), known for his cinematic work with Andy Shauf, Tanya Tagaq, and his creative involvement in Nirvanna the Band the Show. The video matches the song’s mix of restraint and release, using striking visual storytelling to echo the song’s inner push-and-pull.
The track continues Haverty’s steady run of 2025 singles, which have helped broaden his audience while reinforcing the thoughtful style he’s developed through years of songwriting and film composition. Haverty remains a key figure in Toronto’s music scene, both as the leader of Bruce Peninsula and as a screen composer whose work includes the Wildhood soundtrack, the documentary series Who Owns The World—which earned him a 2025 Canadian Screen Award nomination—and contributions to films like Sleeping Giant and the series Avocado Toast.
“What I Don’t Need” stands as a powerful new chapter in Haverty’s catalog, balancing personal reflection with bold, expressive sound.
Watch the official video below:
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