Video Premiere: Nataly Dawn, “Leslie”

In Nataly Dawn’s new single, “Leslie,” the California-based songwriter croons and swoons like an indie-pop jazz singer, her voice fluttering around a combination of handclaps, upright bass, strings, and soft-spun guitar. The whole thing builds up to a lush, loud peak, with Dawn layering her voice into gobs of harmonies. “Do your best, little girl, and have a little fun,” goes the refrain. That’s good advice.

“I never would have imagined making a music video for this song,” says Dawn, who’s also one half of the popular duo Pomplamoose. “While the lyrics are vague enough, the story of Leslie hits pretty close to home for me. Which is why I’m glad that someone from my family — someone who knew the story outside of the song — came up with the concept and directed the video. Eric Kallevig did something magical to my sad song: he cast light on the story behind the lyrics, without sacrificing any of the mystery.”