Capital Cities' "Safe And Sound" video is nominated for two 2013 MTV VMAs!

Synth-pop duo Capital Cities have plenty of reasons to hit the dance floor, but this week they have EXTRA reason -- their "Safe and Sound" video has been nominated for TWO 2013 MTV Video Music Award nominations! Which VMAs you ask? Only the super artsy "Best Art Direction" and "Best Visual Effects" awards!

Read more about Capital Cities' 2013 VMA nominations after the jump.

"I was very excited," Capital Cities lead singer Ryan Merchant told us of his two nominations. "It's an honor to be nominated and to see that the video is being recognized for some really cool categories."

A spin on a DIY vid that the band put together two years ago, the video's first version featured vintage footage of dance and war throughout the 20th century. But the updated, VMA-nominated "Safe and Sound" video, choreographed by Mandy Moore, trades in war scenes for images of the band pitching various dance styles against each other. Merchant was a fan of the '20-style moves, while bandmate Sebu Simonian jammed out to the '90s steps.

"We are avid dancers," Simonian joked. "No, we don't have any professional background in dancing, but I think we both enjoy partying and getting our groove on. We try to make out live shows a dance party."

Nowadays, the guys are working on the second music video for "Kangaroo Court," their second single off of their record In a Tidal Wave of Mystery. While they presumably freak out a little more over their VMA noms, the guys will be heading out to LA this weekend to shoot the vid, which they say features half-human, half-animal creatures in a nightclub/courtroom.

"It's going to be a very wild, very interesting video," Merchant said. Maybe a contender for the 2014 VMAs? Only time will tell!

+ Watch Capital Cities' "Safe and Sound" video.

Cast your vote NOW for this year’s Video Music Award winners from the 2013 VMA Nominees. The 2013 Video Music Awards air August 25 on MTV and VMA.MTV.com, live from the Brooklyn Barclays Center. No sleep til Brooklyn!

Photo credit: EMI