Skip to Content
Talkhouse home
Talkhouse home
Music

Introducing: Vagaries’ “Open Waves”

A new video, plus an intro from the band themselves.

9:00 AM EDT on October 20, 2023

“Open Waves” is our new single and debut video release, which comes on the heels of a 7-inch we self-released last year. This song was written before the formation of the band a few years ago and has taken on many forms. Originally, what was a simple three-minute composition of guitar and vocals has now transformed into a six-minute sonic journey that delves into lo-fi psychedelic indie rock — encompassing not only guitar and vocals, but an array of piano, various synthesizers, drums, bass, accordion, and pre recorded 4-track cassette elements. 

The narrative of this song at its core is about the fleeting moments of joy one finds when we let go of our immediate restraints, worries, and fears, and allow ourselves to be free and grasp at the unknown with childlike fervor; seeking a better state of being, if only in our heads or in moments in time. The narrative of this song can actually be interpreted in many different ways from listener to listener as we write our lyrics in metaphors, but this sums up how we felt about it when we finished it. 

The stop motion video for “Open Waves” continues this narrative as we see it in visual form. Teresa and I started the production a little over a year ago. It began with sketching out scenes and characters that we wanted to include and what their roles would be. We tossed around a lot different ideas as to how to create the characters, but finally settled on making some of them out of clay, and some out of found objects in our home. The entire video was shot and edited at our home and is our first attempt at making a music video, so these homemade characters fit the overall aesthetic. Once the filming and editing were finished, we sent it to Frank Ditto's Studio for color grading, picture finishing, and additional audio mastering for film.

Just as in the song, you are taken on a journey with the protagonist through stages of seeking a better state of being through imaginary landscapes of mind and then ultimately back again to reality.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

Related Stories

Mood Board: Sunken Cages’ Neeram Pularumbol (As the Dawn Breaks)

Ravish Momin’s new record is a tribute to the drums of Kerala.

August 7, 2026

M.C. Taylor (Hiss Golden Messenger) Talks with Josh Kaufman (Bonny Light Horseman) on the Talkhouse Podcast

 "For me personally, taking a super long time on a record... I make it worse, not better."

August 6, 2026

Beth B and Jim Coleman Want to Transcend Pain

The filmmaker and musician talk their origin story as collaborators (and life partners), and their new film Glowing.

August 6, 2026

Chris Cohen and Aaron MF Olson Have Known Each Other for 20 Years

The longtime friends and collaborators catch up about Songs Album II and much more.

August 4, 2026

Mood Board: Holy Wave’s i’m DADA

The Austin band on how Studio Ghibli, Casino Versus Japan, The Twilight Zone, and more inspired their new record.

July 31, 2026

Brian Fallon (The Gaslight Anthem) Talks with Greg Barnett (The Menzingers) on the Talkhouse Podcast

On punk rock pasts, chord progressions, battle of the bands, and more.

July 30, 2026