Blog Archives
Sleepless Nights
When I began getting into the post-hardcore scene last year, one of the bands I really connected with was Memphis May Fire because of the vocalist Matty Mullins’ lyrics. The first song that stuck with me was “Prove Me Right” because I loved the perspective and how the anger was channeled in a more mature manner- the angry profanity of most bands gets old extremely quick. But that was just one of their songs, and all of them seemed to strike a different chord with me.
I almost hadn’t realized they were working on new material when their second single, “Sleepless Nights”, was released on YouTube. When I heard it, I felt a stronger pull to it than I had any Memphis May Fire song, and it wasn’t the instrumentals. It’s the lyrics, and the way they’re sung that had me captivated when I listened to it.
I’ll try to only highlight my favorite parts- although the whole song is pretty great.
“I know that I would never jump,
So why can’t I step back from the ledge?”
I really like that part of the verse because I know a lot of people feel this way. Especially as a teenager, when things get difficult you feel yourself being pushed to the limits but you know that you want to keep going, you want to feel happy again. It’s helplessness.
But it’s the first chorus that gets me the most
“Why am I terrified of everything I used to love
Save me from myself I don’t want to hate who I’ve become
Inhale, exhale
Why is it so hard to breathe
Inhale, exhale
Why isn’t this working?!”
There’s something about the uncontrollable emotions that take hold of us sometimes. They change us and shape us, and even when we acknowledge it, it seems like it never gets better.
“Tell me that tomorrow when I wake up I’ll be fine,
I just want to be myself again
I want to know that I’m alive”
It’s a complicated situation to be in as a person, and I was dumbstruck to hear it put down in music with such emotion. The ending surprised me but I really love it.
“Please give me peace
Give me joy
Give me sanity!
Give me hope
Give me love
Give me truth.”
It’s like a plea, and I think the desperate ending is kind of appropriate. I remember just standing there after the song was over, still hearing the words in my head.
I’m really excited to hear Unconditional; Memphis May Fire did great with Challenger but I want to see where they go next.
Xoxo,
Radium Rollercoaster
Amber: A Story of Stick(ing) To Your Guns
As I delve more into the hardcore scene, I’m realizing that there’s a reason why this genre is becoming so popular. The lyrics I’ve seen out of these bands have been some of the most moving, most powerful lyrics I have ever heard. This revelation was brought around to me by the band Stick To Your Guns. I saw one line “She has a smile that could end a war”, in an image (shown below). I didn’t know what genre this was from. I didn’t even know what band it was from. But that one line struck a chord with me and I decided to look more into it.
The song I found was “Amber” by the very same Stick To Your Guns, off of their third album. I had no preconceptions of this band, and thanks to that I was able to really accept the sound and appreciate the lyrics even more. It captures your attention from the beginning, and tells the story of a fourteen year old girl who has potential just like everyone else, and the troubles that seem to follow her regardless.
It speaks to me, obviously, because of my own age. This girl, “Amber”, is basically stuck with these problems that she gave herself. She feels cut off and disconnected from the world and her happiness. It’s something more people go through, and it’s strange because it seems like such a young age, most people don’t acknowledge that that’s when most of the problems start. And it’s hard because like the storyteller, all you want is to tell these people they aren’t alone.
Sometimes it’s the music in a song that captures my interest. If the instrumental was terrible, the lyrics would be useless to making the song any good. But the frusteration and heart is shown through the vocalist as well as the other instruments, which makes this song special. I don’t usually hear songs that instantly compel me to write about them, but when I heard “Amber” for he first time I just knew I’d have to put it out here for everyone to see.
Xoxo,
Radium Rollercoaster
Emersions Debut Interview!
Who knew that the only cool thing to do in Clarksville, Tennessee would require a bicycle?! This weekend Clarksville hosted the annual Tour de Ville, a bike ride from The Coup to Nerdhaus with half a dozen stops in between for different activities. One of the biggest attractors of this bike run was the great communicator: music!
Tour de Ville hosted many different bands over the day, but I went to Nerdhaus with a goal: the debut show of Emersions, a self proclaimed “melodic hardcore” band itself. It was only one show, but I have to give it up; this band is original and motivated. I can hardly describe them, which is a great thing, because that means they are original. Their sound is amazing; in order to set a standard for someone, I said a sophisticated Memphis May Fire, but they’ve got the potential to be way more than that! I watched their set, and all of them have real, raw talent in my opinion.
I interviewed them after their performance, and they were some of the nicest people ever. They’re all pretty young, and so I wouldn’t expect a lot of pride or snootiness from them, but the fact that they were so kind and personable makes me think they’ll go far. Trust me, that is the kinds of things people look for in their favorite bands.
All honesty, I think they’re bringing something new to the table and if they’ve got their minds set on it, they’ll go far and they’ll get there quick. Don’t be surprised to see them on my dash again soon! Go like them on facebook and be prepared when they start releasing music!
Xoxo,
Radium Rollercoaster
RadiumRollercoaster's Music Central 