Surf Mesa — ily (i love you baby). An exclusive live performance for Vevo DSCVR ARTISTS TO WATCH 2021, an annual series highlighting those that are shaping the future of music.

Powell Aguirre has a great imagination — you can hear it in his music. So the up ‘n’ coming producer, reppin’ Seattle via LA, presents himself as Surf Mesa. Relatively unknown until last year, the 20-year-old caught a monster wave with a sample of singer Emilee Flood’s cover of Franki Vallis’ “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.” This July, “ily (i love you baby)” became RIAA-certified gold behind the songs breezy familiarity; it quickly became ubiquitous on TikTok. Surf has used this popularity to become even more inventive. Recent highlights include remixes for both Halsey and Marshmello. The college dropout recently delivered his first post-“ily” track. Featuring Gus Dapperton on vocals, “Somewhere” glides along on ethereal synths and drum-machine fills — it’s rich and full of feeling. The young producer has quickly leapt from what he calls the “budget EDM” of his Soundcloud days. Because he doesn’t sing, his Artists To Watch performances required some special guests. Gus kindly joined for “Somewhere” and a pair of violinists and vocalists (singers Melissa McMillan and Miranda Joan, and instrumentalists Francesca Dardani and Tia Allen) surrounded him for “ily.” Be sure to watch ‘em both. Each has plenty of liftoff.

Executive Producer: Micah Bickham
Director: Priya Minhas
Producer: Averi Smith
Producer: Sacha Noelle
Director of Photography: Franklin Ricart
Editor: Austin Prahl
Music