WATCH: Let Surf Mesa And Gus Dapperton Take You “Somewhere” With Their New Single
WATCH: Let Surf Mesa And Gus Dapperton Take You “Somewhere” With Their New Single
The collab is sure to become a TikTok sensation
Words by: Amanda Marano
Surf Mesa and Gus Dapperton have teamed up for their killer new track and music video, “Somewhere.” The sonic track contrasts the the story of a breakup with an almost euphoric soundscape. The track has already surpassed 7 million global streams. The video follows the duo on a car ride, a peaceful journey halted by a car crash that sends them on a detour to purgatory. Walking through the lush woods, they find themselves at a cabin, drawn in by a mysterious woman (model/actress Havana Liu).
Directed by Dane Ray (Nathan Bajar, Quiet Luke, Delicate Steve), who teamed up with director of photography Jesse Bronstein, the video evokes the style of a sleek 80’s thriller film that perfectly complements the track’s pulsating, out-of-body essence. The video was filmed in the historic town of Stony Point, north of New York City. While the track was created as the artists were in their homes in Los Angeles and Brooklyn, they united to film the video.
“It was amazing to be able bring this video concept to life with him on the East Coast,” Surf Mesa told PAPER. “Upstate NY brings such a breathtaking vibe to this video; the deep greens and the haunting old house help convey the ethereal atmosphere of the song. Not to mention it was my first time in New York and my first official music video. I wanted to create something that could withstand the test of time, that’s my goal in life and music. Gus is the perfect fit for this track and even though we’re on opposite coasts, working with him was a dream.”
At only 20 years old, Los Angeles’ Powell Aguirre is the magic behind Surf Mesa. Growing up in Sammamish, Washington just outside of Seattle, he grew up with a love for music. The summer after his senior year of high school, he broke his leg and was bedridden for months, but used that time to create what would eventually become his first EP, bedroom. Soon after, he moved out to LA to pursue his dream. “Somewhere” follows Surf Mesa’s dream-pop, gold-certified hit and TikTok sensation “ily (i love you baby)” ft. Emilee. After discovering Emilee’s cover on TikTok, he created the mashup, which blew up on Soundcloud as well as TikTok and other social media platforms.
The hit has garnered over 820 million streams worldwide and climbed to the Top 10 on the U.S. Top 40 radio chart, and had his phone blowing up with offers from reps. After signing with Astralwerks, the song earned a spot on Rolling Stone’s “Music At Home: Staycation,” and Condé Nast Traveler’s “The Ultimate Road Trip” playlists. With a sound that is electronic at heart, but full of organic texture, or as Surf Mesa describes it, “electronic alternative,” it perfectly balances digital textures with piano, guitar, and even acoustic drums that pull focus to both songwriting and beats. His music is, as Surf Mesa puts it, “music for good feels.”
Gus Dapperton has risen in the alternative music realm, most recently surpassing 165 million streams and selling 25,000 album equivalents of his debut album, Where Polly People Go To Read. You may recognize him from his collaboration with BENEE on the global hit “Supalonely,” which went viral on TikTok and achieved over 400 million Spotify streams in the U.S. alone. After hitting the US Top 40 radio, it is quickly becoming a global success with coverage from BBC Radio 1 and Capital Super List (UK), NRJ (France + Norway), Puls and DLF Nova (Germany), Q Music and 3FM (Netherlands). After selling out multiple global tours with his last album, Gus is ready to once again take the world by storm, with his new album, Orca, released earlier this month.
