Armed with solid training and raw talent, they mix and combine their different musical backgrounds. Their complex arrangements, inspired by both classical and modern composers, are particularly striking to hear and see during their live shows. Devon Portielje’s remarkable voice is beautifully backed up by Connor Molander and Dylan Phillips. Phillips often plays drums and keys simultaneously as Molander and Portielje shuffle between guitar, keys, samplers, and percussion folky three-part harmonies hold down moody, psychedelic arrangements and electronic-infused soundscapes. They have recently welcomed a 4th member on stage, multi-instrumentlist Isaac Symonds, who adds his voice as well as playing guitar, keyboards and percussions.
Full Circle
Half Moon Run Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Feeling water on your brow, if it's healing it hurts
At first a sharpish pain that returns as a thought
That the needle in your skin will bring you closer to god
And I watch as your head turns full circle
Our hope was with a coffee and a medical text
It's too easy knowin' nothing blowing off the rest
And the riddles in the pages leave at too much to guess
And the worry cracks a fracture from your hip to your chest
As I watch as your head turns full circle
We got lost in the travels in the spiritual book
Missed the beaches from nirvana and the way that they look
And the crooks they're on the island they're killin' to keep runnin'
They're running severance on the plastic and it seems to be working
Is that the best that I can do?
As I watch as your head turns full circle
You appear even tempered though your looks will deceive
And the sparks are always flying cause you drink for relief
With the heart of a child and the wit of a fool
It's a wonder why I don't try to build a wall around you
When I watch as your head turns full circle
And I watch as your head turns full circle
Yeah I watch as your head turns full circle
The first verse of Half Moon Run's Full Circle describes a person kneeling to receive the sacrament of baptism in a church, feeling the water of the holy rite on their brow. The lyrics suggest that while the person may want to experience spiritual healing, the physical pain caused by the needle in the skin connecting them to God contradicts this desire. The chorus paints a picture of the person looking around, as if in doubt or confusion.
The second verse delves deeper into the difficulties of finding spiritual fulfillment, relating it to the metaphor of "lost travels" in a "spiritual book." The lyrics suggest that instead of finding inner peace and joy, they have become wrapped up in riddles and complexities that make it difficult to find the way forward. They feel the burden of worry cracking open their chest. The chorus repeats with the phrase "full circle" as though to emphasize the cyclical nature of spiritual searching and self-discovery.
In the final verse, the singer describes the person they are watching from a more intimate perspective. They are described as even-tempered, though perhaps misunderstood by others. The singer recognizes that the person they are watching has both a childlike wonder and the cleverness of a trickster. Despite what appears to be a natural attraction, the singer wonders if they can protect themselves and build walls around their own heart to maintain emotional distance.
Line by Line Meaning
Cap off kneeling at the back of the church,
After finishing your prayer at the end of a religious ceremony,
Feeling water on your brow, if it's healing it hurts
You may feel a stinging sensation on your forehead as you receive the anointing water, which some believe to have healing properties
At first a sharpish pain that returns as a thought
The initial pain may remind you of your sins and prompts introspection
That the needle in your skin will bring you closer to god
The feeling of pain accompanied by prayer during ritualistic injection is believed to bring you closer to god.
And I watch as your head turns full circle
The artist is observing how the listener's views go back and forth on the subject of faith
Our hope was with a coffee and a medical text
Our faith is replaced by scientific, medical studies and coffee which provides temporary comfort
It's too easy knowin' nothing blowing off the rest
It is easy to ignore what we don't know, which constrains our ability to derive meaning from our existence.
And the riddles in the pages leave at too much to guess
The convoluted texts offer little clarity, in contrast with dogmatic religious texts.
And the worry cracks a fracture from your hip to your chest
The anxiety about finding purpose undermines the foundation of one's being.
As I watch as your head turns full circle
The artist continues to witness the listener's inner turmoil.
We got lost in the travels in the spiritual book
We lost focus when engrossed in exploring religious literature.
Missed the beaches from nirvana and the way that they look
We disregard the beauty and simplicity of existence in the pursuit of enlightenment.
And the crooks they're on the island they're killin' to keep runnin'
Sinful behavior exists all around us, and it is defended with violence.
They're running severance on the plastic and it seems to be working
The manipulation of the plastic reality appeals to people and it is therefore effective.
Is that the best that I can do?
The singer is aware that their refusal to compromise and to in-vain fight for dogmas doesn't solve the issue, so they feel helpless as they watch the listener's conflict.
When I watch as your head turns full circle And I watch as your head turns full circle Yeah I watch as your head turns full circle
The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the repetitiveness of the listener's thoughts and actions.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: CONNER MOLANDER, DEVON PORTIELJE, DYLAN PHILLIPS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dannelle
on Fire Escape
It’s like a firey and destructive ending to a toxic relationship where the abuser gets off unscathed… and you’re left damaged and in pieces…. You loved them so much that you were willing to go through hell with them… yet all for naught. As they escape and run out to get consoled by bystanders.
Henry
on Narrow Margins
the song is not literal, it uses many metaphors and that makes it more poetic but that is like most songs. The general story is one of some one struggling with the rules and pressures of society, they drink to relieve this pressure and often enter a very reflective state of mind. They decide they will just slip by without anyone noticing as they drift along because they cant sort their life out.