Exclusive Video Premiere: ‘The Heartbeat The Soul,’ Dark Waves

ABOVE: NICK LONG. PHOTO COURTESY OF NICK WALKER.

“Find a place that feels like you,” Dark Waves’ frontman Nick Long sings on their critically acclaimed debut single, “The Heartbeat The Soul.” The track, which is from the indie pop band’s eponymous debut EP (released in September 2014), sounds moody and boarders on ominous, mixing deep, reverberating synths with buoyant electric guitar chords. In addition to quality production, the L.A.-based singer-songwriter’s voice is elastic with an ability to soar from effortless, low pitches to angelic highs. The song merges synthetic and tangible instruments, rendering it somewhat unpredictable and unique in nature.

A song so mellifluous and bittersweet deserves an equally beautiful video, which, much to the appreciation of a growing and adoring fan base, Dark Waves has exclusively bestowed upon us. Directed by Djay Brawner and shot in Idylwild, California just a few months ago, the visually stunning clip follows Long as he rides his motorcycle through mountainous trails, pausing periodically to observe the fiery red clouds and seemingly endless wilderness that envelopes him. Simultaneously, a female character (played by model and actress Laura Gude) bathes herself and walks in the nude around a wooden house, idly passing the time as she waits for something—or someone—to come.

“I think the song has a sense of loneliness and heartbreak with a romantic and minimalist approach,” Long says about the track’s relation to the accompanying visuals. “I wanted a beautiful video that shared those traits.”

While human rationality may drive your brain to search for a story or meaning, Long suggests that this isn’t the video’s intent: “[The goal] wasn’t so much to tell a narrative as it was to put together a video that was abstract and cinematic. We wanted to stray away from a strict narrative to allow each viewer to take something different away from watching the video, drawing on their own experiences and how they relate to the song.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON DARK WAVES, VISIT THE BAND’S WEBSITE.