From playing local gigs at ski resorts in exchange for free lift tickets, the band is composed of Michael Kang (acoustic/electric mandolin, electric guitar, and violin), Michael Travis (drums and percussion), Bill Nershi (acoustic guitar, lap steel guitar, and electric slide guitar), Kyle Hollingsworth (piano, organ, Rhodes, and accordion), and Keith Moseley (bass guitar), and, in 2006, Jason Hann (auxiliary percussion).
The String Cheese Incident has been described as a democratic ensemble rather than a band, since all of the members contribute their own original compositions to the group’s burgeoning library and share the vocal burden on a number of cover versions as well as their own songs. If a de facto leader had to be named, such a title would probably fall upon Nershi, who is responsible for the bulk of the group’s original song library.
From their management, Madison House Inc.:
"The String Cheese Incident has emerged as one of America’s most significant independent bands. Born in 1993 in Colorado's Rocky Mountains, SCI has since released 6 albums, 3 DVDs and countless live recordings from their relentless tour schedule. Their 14 year history is packed full of surreal experiences, epic moments, groundbreaking involvement and huge accomplishments. They have been recognized for their commitment to musical creativity and integrity, for their community spirit, philanthropic endeavors, and for their innovative approach to the business of music.
When The String Cheese Incident’s growth first started gaining momentum over a decade ago, when the internet was just beginning to take hold and the major-label business model was failing, the band decided to make music on their own terms.
Since then, The String Cheese Incident has gone on to carve out a completely different approach to the business of music; they are truly pioneers of a new way of “making a band.” With the World Wide Web as their tool, SCI was among the first artists to disseminate information via the internet, such as tour dates, release information, and other news, to their growing fan base. Rather than doing business on such terms as “the bottom line,” The String Cheese Incident put their music and their fans first, opening companies of their own, including a ticketing company, a merchandise company and a fan travel agency, to best serve their community. The band’s record label, SCI Fidelity Records, has always operated under the same ideals. Even early on, SCI Fidelity embraced downloadable music and file sharing, delivering SCI’s “On the Road” series, where every show the band plays is made available for download on the internet. Whether they realized it at the time or not, The String Cheese Incident was inventing grassroots band development. Today, literally hundreds of bands are using some version of this same approach to building a band.
The String Cheese Incident’s commitment goes well beyond their immediate community, and even beyond the music community as a whole. Early on, the band took a serious interest in giving back to the communities that they visited, and they were among the first performers to encourage “Green” shows and tours. SCI’s support has helped give rise to such not-for-profit organizations as Conscious Alliance, Rock the Earth, and Head Count. In 2002, when the band’s right to sell tickets to their own shows became threatened by ticketing giant Ticketmaster, the band stood strong for the independent music community and filed a lawsuit against the company. All the while, The String Cheese Incident has stayed committed to music as a creative endeavor, not just in their recordings but also in their live performances. The list of SCI’s special guests and collaborators is long and diverse. Their annual events such as Horning’s Hideout, and holiday shows such as New Year’s and Halloween, have helped redefine the concert experience and has garnered the band a reputation as live music vibe innovators."
Some side groups are eoto, zilla with Jamie Janover, Zuvuya, Honkytonk Homeslice, Billy nershi's Plue Planet, Pangaea, The Trancident & Keller Williams with Moseley Droll and Sipe
Sometimes a River
The String Cheese Incident Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And putting the party away
Helping out all of my lost friends
To see the light of day
I'm feeling the wind through the window
Sometimes you crash through the wall
Seems like it comes out of nowhere
There's no warning at all
Sometimes a river, sometimes a river runs high
Sometimes a river, sometimes a river runs dry
I was making my way through a movie
And finding it hard to decide
Sometimes it comes without warning
It turns me over inside
I'm making a stab in the darkness
But you're wearing a hole in the floor
Suddenly everything changes
You're not the same as before
Sometimes a river, sometimes a river runs high
Sometimes a river, sometimes a river runs dry
You danced in my dream in a white dress
I watched from the top of the stairs
I woke up looking to find you
But you were not there
Seventeen hours of driving
But that's not a surprise
The world's all heavy with traffic
We never were good at goodbyes
No we never were no good at goodbyes
transposed by: TheDreadfulGreat
The String Cheese Incident's song Sometimes a River is a reflective piece about the ups and downs of life. The opening lines highlight the aftermath of a party - an act of clean up that signifies the end of a momentary celebration. The singer acknowledges the fragility of life and the need to help our lost friends see the light of day at moments when it feels like there is nothing left. The opening stanza sets up a tone of introspection and self-reflection.
The second stanza is an acknowledgement of two elements that are beyond human control - the wind and the river. It is a metaphor that highlights the unpredictability of life. Just like a river, our lives can run high or dry, with no warning or indication. The sudden changes in life can come like a gust of wind, leaving us feeling vulnerable and confused.
The third stanza takes us through the interior landscape of human emotions. The singer is trying to make sense of the chaos within his head, but it comes with difficulty. There are moments where it feels like a switch has been flipped, and everything changes. The lyrics convey how overwhelming those moments can be, and how difficult it can be to navigate them.
The last stanza is a dreamlike sequence, where the singer shares a memory of seeing someone he cared for, dancing in a white dress in his dream. However, when he wakes up, he finds that the person is not there. It is a reminder of how dreams and reality can be sometimes intertwined, but ultimately are separate. The final lines allude to the difficulty of goodbyes, and how sometimes the weight of the world can make it impossible for us to say goodbye to the people we love.
Overall, Sometimes a River is a poignant account of the unpredictable, cyclical and often painful nature of life. It encourages listeners to embrace the fragility of life while acknowledging the beauty in pain, growth and transformation.
Line by Line Meaning
I was cleaning the ash from the fire
I was picking up the pieces and trying to get things back in order
And putting the party away
Cleaning up and finishing the festivities
Helping out all of my lost friends
Assisting those who were struggling and needed support
To see the light of day
To discover a way to a more positive outcome
I'm feeling the wind through the window
Sensing a new feeling or experiencing a shift in perspective
Sometimes you crash through the wall
Occasionally, you break through barriers or overcome challenges
Seems like it comes out of nowhere
Unexpected events arise without warning
There's no warning at all
No predictions or signs are given
Sometimes a river, sometimes a river runs high
Life can be unpredictable and sometimes intense or overwhelming
Sometimes a river, sometimes a river runs dry
Life can also be stagnant and uneventful
I was making my way through a movie
Moving steadily along a certain path or journey
And finding it hard to decide
Struggling to make a choice or determine the right path
Sometimes it comes without warning
Things can come up suddenly with no prior indication
It turns me over inside
It causes turmoil or conflict within
I'm making a stab in the darkness
Attempting to make progress despite uncertainty or a lack of clarity
But you're wearing a hole in the floor
Others might cause frustration or create obstacles
Suddenly everything changes
Things can change quickly and dramatically
You're not the same as before
People can change and surprise you
You danced in my dream in a white dress
Experiencing a memory or a dream that invokes strong emotions
I watched from the top of the stairs
Observing from a distance
I woke up looking to find you
Feeling a sense of loss or longing
But you were not there
The object of desire or nostalgia is no longer present
Seventeen hours of driving
Traveling for an extended period of time
But that's not a surprise
The task at hand is not unexpected
The world's all heavy with traffic
The environment can be congested and frustrating
We never were good at goodbyes
Parting ways has always been difficult
No we never were no good at goodbyes
Reinforcing the previous line with double negatives
Contributed by Harper P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dana Wright
on Water
“Phosphorescent, luminescent, nature’s show astounds me”
Dana Wright
on Water
“Cicadas, in minor, all sing a melody so inventing” 100% correct.