Categories
Massachusetts

Unheard Boston, Massachusetts Music

The Blue Between Us by The Novel Ideas

The Novel Ideas are a quartet from Massachusetts. This country folk band of friends describes their music as ‘pastoral, harmony, and plaintive Americana.’ However, I would just call it folk with a tinge of country. Currently The Novel Ideas have 4,398 monthly listeners on Spotify allowing them to be the focus of this week’s artist spotlight.

The Novel Ideas debuted their first album in 2012, a nine track collection of folksy goodness. My favorite song of the this album is The Blue Between Us. A tribute to the wonderful place we all call home. Enjoy your next four minutes of life by listening to The Novel Ideas’ The Blue Between Us. Lyrics and Commentary Below.

Lyrics (Courtesy of LyricFind)

Well my mind’s still limber but my heart’s grown old
From the time I left the only place I know
And it makes me happy we didn’t get let go
I couldn’t stand to see our love just decompose

Now I’ve been walking home nearly every night
And here’s to everyone I ever loved but had to leave behind
For the one thing I can’t find though I’ve been looking half my life
And it’s damn hard to explain but I will try it if you like

If you ask me once I’ll tell you so
That the blue between us never felt so cold
And I miss the folk singers from the days of old
When a three-chord song could save your soul

And no I’m never on time least that’s what I’m told
So why’s everything feel like it moves too slow?
And if I were scared I wouldn’t let it show
‘Cause if I die tonight I’m not going home

Why’s it seem so wrong to miss the town you love?
When there’s just one state that you cannot stop thinking of
I wouldn’t say I’m patriotic but I think that’s what I’ve become
Sometimes it takes where you are not, just to remember where you’re from

Was it my fault that I meant every single word I said?
When I told you it was not the end
And if everything goes wrong, I hope we can get along
If I lost you I would lose my best friend

And now we’re weathering the storm, side by side we’re looking on
It takes a certain kind of love to bear this load
But it’s not the tired romance of the open road

Commentary

I’m not sure why, but I love a song filled with grief. The desire to be somewhere, something, or even someone else can be conveyed so well in music as compared to other art forms. You can experience the distress of the artist in the combination of vocals, instruments, and lyrics that can’t be matched in a brush stroke, chapter, or picture.

The vocals and feel of this song pair perfectly together to express the distress of the singer. A person whose pleasant angsty voice magnifies the lyric’s message of longing. The soulful harmonies give the song depth while the honest lyrics portray a bold authenticity. The singer is nearly embarrassed with his intense feelings for missing home, but I find it endearing.

Here’s a novel idea.

Sometimes the things we are embarrassed by are the same things that endear us to our loved ones and watching world.

What do you think?

The Novel Ideas can be followed the on Facebook or Twitter. You can purchase their debut album on Amazon and iTunes or give directly to them to show your appreciation on bandcamp. I have bad news; as of September of 2018 The Novel Ideas are no longer a band, but you can still enjoy their music on Spotify and YouTube.

If you liked this song you might also like our article on We’re Okay by ghostbird.

Categories
Female Lead India

This Song Stands As A Positive Force In A Time Great Darkness Across The World, Unheard Chennai, India Music

Alaye by Jak Sundar, JKA Shalini

Jak Sundar is a producer from Chennai, India. He is a huge fan of Machael Jackson’s music and it is with this inspiration that Jak has set out to make pop music. In his song, Alaye, Jak enlisted the help of singer JKA Shalini. Shalini is also from Chennai, India where she lives with her husband and kids. Jak Sundar has 1 monthly Spotify listener, and JKA Shalini has 608 monthly Spotify listeners making them a perfect duo for this week’s artists spotlight

Alaye is a song that has popular electronic music themes infused throughout the track like Shalini’s haunting voice, synthesizers galore, and an epic beat. It’s a song that belongs on the radio, and I hope it will take off in the United States soon. Since I am only a (sub-par) master of one language I reached out to JKA Shalini and she was kind enough to give me the lyrics of the song, which were then translated by a wonderful user of Reddit. But first, enjoy Alaye by Jak Sundar & JKA Shalini. Lyrics and Analysis below.

https://youtu.be/nwRUybTzjl8




Lyrics (in Tamil)Lyrics (English Characters)Lyrics (translated by ashokramach of reddit)
வானம் பொழிகின்ற மழைநீரே வா
சாலை நனையட்டும் நீ செல்ல
தூரம் கடக்கின்ற கடல்மீனே வா
வேகம் குறையாமல் நீ செல்லு

இங்கு தேடல் ஆயிரம் உன் இடம்தேடி வா
ஒரு பாடல் பாடவே உன் கதை சொல்லு

நில்லாமல் முன்னேறிச் செல்லு…
எதிரிகளை உன் பின்னே தள்ளு…
விழுந்தாலும் எழுவேனென்று சொல்லு…
நீ தொடுவானம் தொடும்தூரம் செல்லு…

அலையே உன் ஆற்றல் தாராயோ
அடியேன் இவன் நடைபோட
நிலவே உன் ஒளிதனை தாராயோ
நிலத்தில் இவன் கரைசேர…

நில்லாமல் முன்னேறிச்செல்லு…
எதிரிகளை உன் பின்னே தள்ளு…
விழுந்தாலும் எழுவேனென்று சொல்லு…
நீ தொடுவானம் தொடும்தூரம் செல்லு…

அலையே அலையே அலையே அலையே
அலையே அலையே உன் ஆற்றலை தர வா
நிலவே நிலவே நிலவே நிலவே
நிலவே நிலவே உன் ஒளிதனை தர வா

அலையே உன் ஆற்றல் தாராயோ
அடியேன் இவன் நடைபோட
நிலவே உன் ஒளிதனை தாராயோ
நிலத்தில் இவன் கரைகள் தான் சேர…

அலையே அலையே அலையே அலையே
அலையே அலையே உன் ஆற்றலை தர வா
நிலவே நிலவே நிலவே நிலவே
நிலவே நிலவே உன் ஒளிதனை தர வா
Vaanam pozhiginra mazhai neerea vaa
Saalai nanayattum nee sella
Dhooram kadakinra kadal meenea vaa
Vegam kurayaamal nee sellu



Ingu thedal aayiram un idam thedi vaa
Oru paadal paadave un kadhai sollu

Nillamal munneri sellu
Edhirigalai un pinne thallu
Vizhundhaalum ezhuvenendru sollu
Nee thodu vaanam thodum dhooram sellu



Alaye un aatral tharayo
Adiyen ivan nadai poda
Nilave un olithanai tharayo
Nilathil ivan karai sera



Nillamal munneri sellu
Edhirigalai un pinne thallu
Vizhundhaalum ezhuvenendru sollu
Nee thodu vaanam thodum dhooram sellu



Alaye alaye alaye alaye
Alaye alaye un aatralai tharava
Nilave nilave nilave nilave
Nilave nilave un olithanai thara vaa



Alaye un aatral tharayo
Adiyen ivan nadai poda
Nilave un olithanai tharayo
Nilathil ivan karaigal than sera….



Alaye alaye alaye alaye
Alaye alaye un aatralai tharava
Nilave nilave nilave nilave
Nilave nilave un olithanai thara vaa
Welcome the rain that comes down from the sky
Let the road get wet for you to go
Welcome the sea fish that swims far
You go without slowing down



Among a thousand searches find your place
Sing a song and tell your story


Go forward without stopping
Push the opponents behind you
Say that you will get up even if you fall
Go as far as you can touch the skyline



Let the waves give the energy
For him to walk
Let the moon give the light
For him to reach the shore



Go forward without stopping
Push the opponents behind you
Say that you will get up even if you fall
Go as far as you can touch the skyline



Oh wave after wave after wave after wave
Come wave after wave to give the energy
Oh moon oh moon oh moon oh moon
Oh moon oh moon come to give the light

Let the waves give the energy
For him to walk
Let the moon give the light
For him to reach the shore




Wave after wave after wave after wave
Come wave after wave to give the energy
Oh moon oh moon oh moon oh moon
Oh moon oh moon come to give the light

Meaning (from the Artist)

“This song portrays the struggles of a young boy who is bullied and harmed by people
around him, which in turns makes the boy stronger and equips himself to face his struggles with the help of his affectionate brother… This song is dedicated to all the young children to grow up in life stronger and face all the hurdles in life.” ~ From the Youtube Description

Commentary

This song stands as a positive force in a time great darkness across the world. The human race is being bullied by its own members and the forces of nature. This song can serve as motivation that despite being knocked down we can always get up, learn from our mistakes, and face the issues at hand.

Let us therefore face the day with new strength. May you bring courage into your heart. May you fight for justice. May you be a force of peace in your home, neighborhood, and city. And finally, may you end this day knowing the world is at least a tiny bit better because of your actions.

If you’re interested in more music by JKA Shalini you can follow her on Facebook, Spotify, Instagram, or Youtube. JKA Shalini, herself, requests you take a listen to one of her newest songs, Alaathi.

You can follow Jak Sundar on Facebook, Spotify, Instagram, Youtube. You can buy Alaye on Amazon by following this link.

Huge thank you to ashokramach, who took the time to translate this song from Tamil to English.

Categories
Female Lead Music Tennessee

What Does Home Mean?

Oslo by De Joie

De Joie is singer/songwriter Kaley Rutledge. Her 7,780 monthly Spotify listeners makes her (by far) the most popular artist we have spotlighted so far. In De Joie’s first album she grapples with the idea of home. Kaley lives in Nashville, but she really found a sense home in her travels to Western Europe. These places impacted her so much that when she got back to the States she made an album of four songs, a song for each city she visited.

Oslo is the first song on De Joie’s album August and is my personal favorite. She mixes vox, strings, and synths to give this song a healing presence. In Olso, De Joie really captures the joy of thriving where you belong. Listening to this song put a smile on my face and I hope it will do the same for you. Lyrics and Analysis below.

Lyrics to Oslo by De Joie (courtesy of jiosaavn)

Can you hear me say “I love you” from across the sea?
Can you hear me whisper to you my dreams?
Well, the weather is fine here in Oslo
We’re about to jump on a plane to the west coast

There’s a view we can’t miss
I wouldn’t dream of it
There’s a view we can’t miss
I wouldn’t dream of it

I was born to be wild and free
Traipsing the coast line of some craggy beach
Go on and tell ’em I’m in good company
Wild and free


Can you hear me say, “I love you” from theses far way places?
All these wide open spaces seem to heal me

There’s a view we can’t miss
I wouldn’t dream of it

There’s a view we can’t miss
I wouldn’t dream of it

I was born to be wild and free
Traipsing the coast line of some craggy beach

Go on and tell ’em I’m in good company
Wild and free

DIVING DEEP

The concept of home has been something that I have thought a lot about over the last decade. It’s not just a physical space; instead it’s a near mythical land with powers to heal. Home is a place of recovery, our very own ICU that each of retreat to every day. This is an insane concept, but equally peculiar is that each of us rehab at our own unique center. How crazy is that!? Every one of us returns to our own distinct location for the same thing. Healing.

Kaley of De Joie does a fantastic job of exploring the concept of home. In the song Oslo we see two different homes. The first home is filled with the people she loves, but it is lacking. She has left it in search for something – Can you hear me say “I love you” from across the sea? Can you hear me whisper to you my dreams? We’re about to jump on a plane to the west coast. The second home is Oslo, which is also filled with people she loves, AND is a place where she finds healing – Well, the weather is fine here in Oslo. Go on and tell ’em I’m in good company. All these wide open spaces seem to heal me.

I really love how Kaley responds to the healing she receives when she finds home: She realizes she was born to be wild and free. This idea seems counterintuitive to me because before finding this new home Kaley was a wanderer, searching for home.. One could say that she was free to roam and be wild, but she did not feel that way.

However, when Kaley finds home, even though she is now tethered to a place (Oslo), she proclaims herself wild and free. How can we make sense of this?

It’s as if belonging to something or someone brings freedom while total independence produces turmoil. This is a thought worth sitting in, and for that I thank De Joie!

What do you think about home? What does home mean to you?

Sources
https://dejoiemusic.com/bio
https://www.jiosaavn.com/lyrics/oslo-lyrics/RwxYdhUIQ1A
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5oJYqPFbjnOksOFe7uOx9G?si=lU9yJgeQTVutw5Y2q_AR7A