Ian Vanek’s new project Howardian has been floating under the radar for some time now, and today, we’re happy to premiere his new video for “Box Turtle”, off his recently released third album Do You Know I Wiggle. The video, a pensive, animated trip into human origin and evolution, also comes with an environmental plea.

“The box turtles video is about inter-species slavery and the effects we as consumers have on this unfortunate condition. Specifically seeing turtles sold on Canal and Broadway in New York City. Tiny creatures destined for servitude or a hasty death. The fact that food was extra made me cringe at the thought of being sold in that manner myself.”

Directed by animator Lila Burns (see more of her work here www.lilaburns.com), the video, as she told me, was intended to “emphasize the song’s hook, ‘oldest species on the face of the earth.’ I focused on turtles being at the center of a journey through a history of the universe.” Check it out. —Maya Eslami