He Films the Clouds has been a longstanding force in the local music scene thanks to an ability to be extremely heavy—both in lyrical subject matter and in instrumentation. The mix of metalcore and melodic comes in powerful waves, as soft guitar tones quickly turn into earthquaking drop-tuned riffs and blast beats. Vocalist Xavier Hernandez gracefully switches back and forth between intense screaming and heart-wrenching singing. I urge you to check out the band’s extremely emotional music video below, but—trigger warning—there is heavy emotional subject matter involved. Learn more about He Films the Clouds at www.instagram.com/hefilmsthecloudsofficial.
What was the first concert you attended?
A local band called Serena Drive playing at a nearby Elks Lodge.
What was the first album you owned?
The Pokémon 2.B.A. Master soundtrack.
What bands are you listening to right now?
Mogwai, Whirr, Heilung, Kickrox and Shiloh Dynasty have been on repeat as of late.
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get?
This might be a hot take, but I can’t listen to Cigarettes After Sex without falling asleep.
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?
Hammock. There’s a catharsis present in “Then the Quiet Explosion” I would love to experience in person.
What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?
Every once in a while, I’ll get lost down a rabbit hole of ’90s video-game soundtracks.
What’s your favorite music venue?
Chain Reaction in Anaheim.
What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head?
“You’re going to be OK. That’s what’s going to happen. Everything’s OK. We’re right here beside you. We won’t let you slip away. Plan for tomorrow, ’cause we swear to you, you’re going to be OK,” from “What’s Going to Happen?” from Scrubs.
What band or artist changed your life? How?
Underoath. They are the band that made me realize it’s possible to take the sadness in life and turn it into a positive message that can attach itself to posterity.
You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking?
I would ask Ludwig Göransson what pedals he likes to use.
What song would you like played at your funeral?
“O Magnum Mysterium” by Morten Lauridsen.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
Define the Great Line by Underoath.
What song should everyone listen to right now?
“Feels So Good” by Chuck Mangione (the nine-minute version).
