V is exclusively debuting songwriter and producer, Gus Dapperton’s latest music video, ‘My Favorite Fish’ a song conveying that glittering sparkle atop a sun-lit ocean.

Gus is weird, cool, and timeless, but really, he’s as relevant as you could be. With his highlighter yellow hair, he quirkily dances like no one’s watching with the confidence of a professional, and, of course, he often croons about his girl, Jess. He’s not shy about lovey lyrics, and he sure isn’t scared to genderf*ck up his style, reminiscent of some of his favorite eras of music. He breathes life back into the the gender ambiguity of 60’s rock stars and the colorful punk of the 80’s new wave. His music is a slow and synth breath of fresh, nostalgic air. 

He’s the native of a small farm town in New York, a site of intense inspiration for him, rich with material and stunted expression. His growth has been exponential, with a widely anticipated album coming up, called Where Polly People Go To Read, which debuts on April 19th along with a massive, upcoming European tour.

We caught up with Gus to talk about the process of creating his newest video, his inspiration, and of course, the identity of his Favorite Fish.

My Favorite Fish has a really nostalgic but timeless and dreamy vibe. What was it like making and conceptualizing the video?

It was pretty effortless to make we had a great group of people working on it. And I never try to force anything that isn’t right in front of me. But this idea was. I directed it.

Where did you shoot it?

In Long Branch, NJ at my parents’ house.

Who is your “Favorite Fish”?

Jess.

What was your approach in making a new album? What kinds of themes inspired you?

I write songs often and record demos on the road. Then when I get home I record them for real. Initially, I was inspired by heartbreak, then love, then truth.

Who is your dream collaborator?

I don’t really have one but I like to work with my friends.

You’re always dancing, always moving, and you seem like a really performative person, and it also marries perfectly with your expressive style. Have you always been this way?

Yes but not particularly in the way I am active now.  I used to run around and now I dance around.

You came from a conservative town in New York. How were you able to find your sense of style and feel comfortable pushing the boundaries of gender and expression growing up there, if you did so at all? And, what did you look to to find the inspiration to express yourself?

I appeared however I wanted to just like everybody else. So I would practice that freedom always. I simply disregard the idea that gender is binary and neither are clothes, beauty, health, and hair products.  I looked to my future, it was much brighter and more vivid than those around me.