Kevin Bronson on June 17th, 2020

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When Trapdoor Social released the single “Whispers” in January, it dialed into the political zeitgeist as it relates the L.A. indie-rockers favorite issue: climate change. As they premiere the stylish video today, current events — the pandemic and the fever-pitched campaign for racial justice — have shaded the song with even more conceptual heft.

First, the video: It’s the work of Matt Walker (also responsible for the band’s “Sunshine” video), whose handmade set serves as the terrarium for the song’s symbols and the ghosted images of band members Skylar Funk and Louie Gonzalez.

As for “Whispers” itself, it’s aged well in five months.

“Modern descendants of murderous hands / Killing the new way with labor and tax …” and “I never thought they’d just sit there and laugh / Counting their billions with blood on their hands,” Funk sings in the second verse.

“This is indeed a commentary on crony capitalism and in particular, our favorite villains, the fossil fuel industry leaders who have funded climate denial for their own profit,” Funks says. “However, this kind of thing has been top-of-mind for me a lot lately, participating in many days of protest around police brutality and racism … where some of the most profound things I’ve heard said were to the effect of how so many of us are pitted against each other while the richest 1% control the system and profit off the chaos.

“There have definitely been some parallel lines of thought between these issues of social justice and our usual pet issue, environment. In both cases, the heart cries out for justice. And what a powerful and interesting instinct that is.”

Over the years, Trapdoor Social has been insistent with the messages in its music while resisting coming off as too heavy-handed. And as whispers have turned to shouts on the streets of the cities across the globe, the song takes on a bigger buoyancy: “Whispers of a new world coming / And a heart full of hope / Hold on.”

Says Funk: “The bridge casts a silver lining on the song, which I’d compare to some of the sweetest and most powerful moments during these protests. After a drum circle and chant at City Hall the other day, an activist said, ‘This is how we imagine a better world,’ riding high off the support and affirmation, multicultural love and energy. We need to work together to stand a chance.”

||| Watch: The video for “Whispers”

||| Previously: “The Lie,” “Hold Me Down,” “Never Stop Listening,” “Sunshine,” Interview: Sunstock Solar Festival