The story of Light In The Attic Records begins,… Read Full Bio ↴About Light In The Attic
The story of Light In The Attic Records begins, curiously enough, with a motor crash in Madrid, Spain (and a rather bad one at that). Light In The Attic Founder (most of us call him Matt) was but a teenager in the middle of one of those requisites of American post-high school life - the "find yourself" hostel-hop through Europe. The journey usually involves, at the very least, a Eurail pass, a backpack, and a pair of hiking boots. (For the record, Matt swears he has never owned a pair of hiking boots, but I digress.)
This particular sunny day in Madrid, however, was to have lifelong consequences for young Matt Sullivan. Aside from the site of the totaled Fiat (tin cans, they are), something of even greater interest immediately caught Matt's eye. The unlucky car he had just hit was filled to the brim with records - Stooges, Love, Suicide, MC5 - in other words, REALLY GOOD records. Matt introduced himself to his unwilling-yet-amiable "crash mate", Iñigo Pastor, who just happened to own the stellar Spanish labels Vampi Soul and Munster Records. The shock of the accident suddenly took a proverbial back seat in the scheme of things as the two immediately began to talk music. Within an afternoon's time, a transatlantic bond based on the love of music was formed.
Matt immediately ditched his plans for the rest of his European sojourn and soon began camping out at the Vampi/Munster headquarters in Madrid. Though Matt and LITA co-founder Josh Wright's love of music began with high school radio, in Spai,n Matt was able to see firsthand the actual BUSINESS of putting out records. He soon discovered that the thrill of finding a long-lost gem and reissuing it to a grateful public was often tempered by the more loathsome side of the music business - endless unpaid orders, flaky artists, and threats of lawsuits from hustlers and frauds of all sorts. But Matt remained undeterred, and with guidance from his Spanish mentors, began making plans for a record label of his own.
Once back in the States, the Master Plan began at once. The idea was to build a label which placed as much emphasis on releasing quality reissues as it did developing new talent. In the late '90s, the dot-com boom provided much-needed funds for Light In The Attic's humble birth in a basement in Fremont, Seattle. Ironically, though, it was the dot-com bust that really got LITA going. Suddenly unemployed, Matt wasted none of his new-found free time. Instead, he began building LITA from scratch. His tools? A little savings and a lot of tenacity.
Light In The Attic first became a player in the Seattle music scene by producing live shows by rising artists like Röyksopp, Saul Williams, and Interpol. Many of LITA's shows were sold-out affairs, and the production side of the label's business quickly gained a reputation in the Emerald City.
But the plan was always to be a record label first, and a production company second. Armed with much-needed funds that the shows provided, the company began to focus on the business of making records. Eventually, a much-coveted reissue deal was signed with the highly underrated '60s soft-psych group The Free Design. With the LITA ball finally rolling, Matt soon called upon lifelong friends Josh Wright and Chris Ferraro for help with the business. Josh and Chris provided the necessary energy and business know-how needed to transform Light In The Attic Records into the much-admired indie label it is today.
Since that first Free Design release, Light In The Attic has proven with just a handful of releases that its company mission is simple: put out great music, wherever it may be found, however it may sound. It's this dedication to music - first and foremost - that has already created a diverse and respected catalog of releases in a relatively short period of time. LITA's commitment to quality, as well as its disdain for convention, has already produced instant classics. Highlights include the critically acclaimed Wheedle's Groove compilation, an exuberant affirmation of Seattle's soul heritage; the reintroduction of Toronto's Wayne McGhie, a Jamaican-born singer-songwriter who effortlessly blends the sounds of reggae, soul, and R&B. LITA also specializes in brilliant reinterpretations of old classics featuring top artists such as The Super Furry Animals, Madlib, and Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. And who can ignore the recent reissues of the complete Deep Throat Soundtrack Anthology? The music is surprisingly playful, a must-have for every music history buff. In addition, LITA now distributes Vampi Soul and Munster Records. The Spaniards still refuse to let Matt drive them anywhere - ever - but their business partnership remains as strong as ever.
Recent signings by Light In The Attic of up-and-coming bands like Young Circle only confirm LITA's dedication to its original mission. Whether releasing classic reissues or grooming young bands of the future, Light In The Attic continues to defy convention by refusing to pigeonhole itself. It's safe to say that you can expect more surprises - and more great music - in the very near future.
And they owe it all to a badly mangled Fiat.
Well, sort of...
www.LightInTheAttic.net
Like Janis
Rodriguez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you measure for love by the sweet things you're told
And you live in the past or a dream that you're in
And your selfishness is your cardinal sin
And you want to be held with highest regard
It delights you so much if he's trying so hard
And you try to conceal your ordinary ways
With a smile or a shrug or some stolen cliche
But don't you understand, and don't you look about
I'm trying to take nothing from you
So why should you act so put out for me?
'Cause emotionally you're the same basic trip
And you know that I know of the times that you've slipped
So don't try to impress me, you're just pins and paint
And don't try to charm me with things that you ain't
And don't try to enchant me with your manner of dress
'Cause a monkey in silk is a monkey no less
So measure for measure reflect on my said
And when I won't see you then measure it dead
'Cause don't you understand, and don't you look about
I'm trying to take nothing from you
So why should you act so put out
And sit there and wonder and doubt
For me
The lyrics to "Like Janis" by Rodriguez provide a scathing critique of materialism and superficiality in modern society. The opening lines suggest that individuals measure their worth based on material possessions and flattery rather than on deeper values, such as love and introspection. The following lines suggest that individuals may be stuck in either the past or a dream, indicating a resistance to change and growth. In the final lines of the first verse, the singer asserts that selfishness is a major fault in this type of person.
The second verse focuses on a specific individual who craves attention and validation, attempting to mask their mundane qualities with attempts at charm and false image. The singer sees through this façade, pointing out that emotional immaturity is a common trait of those who prioritize external validation over internal growth. The final lines of the second verse warn against trying to impress with material goods or superficial style, saying that ultimately, individuals must reflect on their own worth and growth in order to truly measure up to their potential. The final lines of the song offer a plea for understanding, indicating that the singer is not seeking to take anything from the person in question, but merely wants them to recognize the importance of placing value on deeper qualities of character.
Line by Line Meaning
And you measure for wealth by the things you can hold
You determine your financial worth based on material possessions.
And you measure for love by the sweet things you're told
You gauge love through flattery and compliments rather than actions.
And you live in the past or a dream that you're in
You either dwell on past events or live in a mental fantasy world.
And your selfishness is your cardinal sin
Your self-centeredness is your most significant flaw.
And you want to be held with highest regard
You crave attention and admiration from others.
It delights you so much if he's trying so hard
You take pleasure in your partner's efforts to impress and please you.
And you try to conceal your ordinary ways
You attempt to hide your average personality traits from others.
With a smile or a shrug or some stolen cliche
You use common phrases and gestures to hide your true self.
But don't you understand, and don't you look about
You should realize and acknowledge the truth of the situation.
I'm trying to take nothing from you
I have no intentions of harming or taking advantage of you.
So why should you act so put out for me?
Why are you upset or annoyed with me when I've done nothing wrong?
'Cause emotionally you're the same basic trip
You have the same emotional tendencies and patterns as everyone else.
And you know that I know of the times that you've slipped
You're aware that I'm aware of your imperfections and mistakes.
So don't try to impress me, you're just pins and paint
Don't bother trying to deceive me with surface-level enhancements.
And don't try to charm me with things that you ain't
Don't attempt to impress me with things that aren't true to your character.
And don't try to enchant me with your manner of dress
Your clothing and appearance won't sway my opinion of you.
'Cause a monkey in silk is a monkey no less
Adding embellishments to a basic object or concept doesn't change its inherent nature.
So measure for measure reflect on my said
Take note and consider what I've said to you in response.
And when I won't see you then measure it dead
Our connection or relationship will be over when I no longer want to see you.
'Cause don't you understand, and don't you look about
You should comprehend and observe the reality of the situation.
I'm trying to take nothing from you
I have no harmful intentions or motives towards you.
So why should you act so put out
Why are you displaying negative emotions or reactions towards me?
And sit there and wonder and doubt
You're questioning or unsure about something.
For me
In reference to me or towards me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Sixto Diaz Rodriguez
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind