The London-based alt-rock band Wildernesses has unveiled a new music video for their single 'Summertime, 1917,' from their upcoming debut album Growth. The track explores themes of love and loss through the story of two soldiers in World War One. The video was directed and filmed by band members Phillip Morris and Sam Howe.
Wildernesses, a London-based alt-rock band, have released a music video for 'Summertime, 1917,' the latest single from their debut album Growth. The album is scheduled for release on March 27 via Floodlit Recordings, with pre-orders available now.
The song delves into themes of love and loss, narrating the story of two male soldiers during World War One. It is presented through the perspective of a modern narrator who discovers their love letters while renovating a deceased loved one's home. The video adopts the band's characteristic DIY aesthetic and was directed and filmed by vocalist Phillip Morris and guitarist Sam Howe.
Vocalist Phillip Morris shared insights into the song's inspiration. “I based the lyrics on a poem I wrote the year after my mum died of Motor Neurone Disease (MND). I wanted to explore the conflicting feelings I had at that time, the process of acceptance, finding reasons that everything would be OK, even as death is final. Caring for her was a privilege that allowed me to know her more deeply but I also witnessed the cruel loss of movement that ended in her death,” Morris explained.
He continued, noting the imagery of renovating a space and reflecting on social issues in a literary manner. “We all know war is bad; my aim was to zoom in on two singular stories across time and make the listener feel them, rather than just consider a message.” Morris also drew from his experience as a social worker at a hospice in Hull, aiming to capture interactions with elderly patients and highlight untold stories.
Musically, Wildernesses seek to connect post-rock elements with pop structures. The track's second half features a repeated motif that acts as the narrator's self-reflective mantra and hook, evolving as the character processes the letters' emotions.
The official music video for “Summertime, 1917” is available online.