Nick Coleman - Drums
Arthi Meera - Vocals, Keyboards, Gu… Read Full Bio ↴1997 is:
Nick Coleman - Drums
Arthi Meera - Vocals, Keyboards, Guitar
Caleb Pepp - Guitar, Vocals
Brian Oster - Bass
Cody Josephson - Harmonica, Guitar
Twelve months can make or break any band. The up and downs, the personal trials, and the months away from home are enough to pull at the toughest heartstrings. Fortunately for Chicago’s 1997, the time between the release of their debut …A Better View of the Rising Moon and their newest work On the Run, was not only career changing; it was life asserting.
Though the transition was positive, it wasn’t easy. 1997 began in the suburbs of Chicago in 2006, practicing in rundown attic apartment. Their downstairs neighbor was an elderly deaf woman, making for an ironic and perfect place to practice. They created songs on guitar and tambourine about life and what it means, beautifully crafted with a wisdom belying their age (18, 19 and 20). Local shows with a mix of original songs and Bob Dylan covers caught the attention of indie mainstay Victory Records. This effervescent band with a delightful youthfulness was signed and set to debut their first record in April of 2007.
After wrapping up the recording process on ...A Better View of the Rising Moon, however, 1997 went through a change that is tough for any band to face. Vocalist Kerri Mack had to part ways with the group directly before the album was released due to unforeseen circumstances, putting the rest of the members through an uncertain limbo. As fate would have it, Alida Marroni was introduced to the band through a friend shortly after. A few practices proved that she had what it took to fill the void. Her classically-trained background complemented the bands rock roots in a unique way. 1997 powered on.
Through the year that followed, the momentum grew. 1997 took their music to the road, giving a piece of themselves to their audiences night after night. They slept in their van, dumpster dove for dinner, did anything they could to keep moving and bring their music to new ears. These young and ambitious musicians believed in the songs they were playing and wanted the world to hear them. Accomplishments like being named Spin.com’s “Band of the Day,” coast to coast tours with bands like Aiden and The Audition, and praise from critics everywhere affirmed that their hard work was paying off. After selling thousands copies of their debut, they knew it was time for a follow up.
1997 entered the studio in January of 2008, after the arrival of guitarist Caleb Pepp’s daughter, Lily. The warmth this lovely gift brought to the song development was a welcome addition. Producer Steve Haigler (Brand New, As Tall As Lions) recorded them at VuDu Studios in Freeport, New York, working side by side with the band to create a record that would reflect their year of growth. A month of round the clock recording and exacting resulted in something truly exquisite; eleven songs the band would entitle On the Run. A record of change and enlightenment inspired by realized dreams and obstacles overcome. The intertwined vocals of Pepp and Marroni, as well as that of Kevin Thomas, beautifully sing lyrics of reflection. Alan Goffinski and
Cody Josephson bring depth with the intricacies of their bass, guitar, harmonica and even a singing saw. The organic way in which Nick Coleman adds structure through percussion rounds out an incredible listen.
1997’s sophomore recording is a timeless piece with influences from folk to pop to rock, a record that anyone young or old can enjoy. Listen to it with your family, your friends or even by yourself and be affected by its gentle ferocity and youthful attentiveness. Though its title is inspired by the act of leaving, On the Run and 1997 are here to stay.
As of 2010, the band decided to take an break resulting in the band's split.
check them out on the web:
http://www.myspace.com/nineteenninetyseven
http://www.victoryrecords.com/1997
http://www.partylikeits1997.com/
Grace
1997 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The snow is white?
But I can't wash it all away
You left last spring
You went to find something
You could see but could never speak
Love will lift you off the ground, don't be afraid
Grace will fly you home again
My heart's crying for change
For the road to bend, to be home again
And grace is where I end and you begin
My love, my friend
It's a beautiful night
My eyes have seen no light
The sunset was the last thing on my mind
I feel your hands
You shake my face
And tell me it's okay to believe
West winds will wash you away
Love will lift you off the ground, don't be afraid
Grace will fly you home again
My heart's crying for change
For the road to bend, to be home again
And grace is where I end and you begin
My love, my friend
Grace, it's all around you
The sky is white
I'm ready to be baptized
You're all around me, yeah
All around me
Yeah
(Yeah)
Yeah
Grace will fly you home again
Where you're standing in the doorway
Singing songs to my old poetry
Grace will fly you home again
My heart's crying for a change
For this pain to end, to be home again
And grace is where I end and you begin
That's why I feel your heart and I know
That you can be my way
And I'll say my love
The lyrics to "Grace" by 1997 are a poignant and heartfelt expression of loss, longing, and hope. The opening lines ask a seemingly simple question- why is the snow white? But the answer is elusive, and there are things that simply cannot be washed away. The singer speaks to someone who has left - presumably a lover or close friend - and who went in search of something they could see but not speak. This is a powerful image that speaks to the frustration and difficulty of finding meaning and purpose in our lives.
The refrain of the song offers hope and comfort. The West winds may wash us away, but love lifts us up, and grace will ultimately bring us home. The idea of grace is powerful here, representing a kind of unearned redemption or salvation. The singer wishes for change and for the road to bend so that they can be home again. Ultimately, grace is where they end and their loved one begins. The last lines of the song speak to the deep connection and love between the two, suggesting that even in the face of loss and pain, there is still hope and beauty to be found.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me, tell me why
I am curious, please explain to me
The snow is white?
Why is snow white in color?
But I can't wash it all away
I am unable to erase the memories
You left last spring
You departed during springtime
You went to find something
You were searching for something
You could see but could never speak
Even though you had an idea, you couldn't express it
West winds will wash you away
Western winds may take you away
Love will lift you off the ground, don't be afraid
Love can elevate you and you should not be scared
Grace will fly you home again
Grace will bring you back to where you belong
My heart's crying for change
I yearn for transformation in my life
For the road to bend, to be home again
I crave for the way to lead me back home
And grace is where I end and you begin
You and I meet at a place of grace
My love, my friend
You are both my lover and my best friend
It's a beautiful night
The evening is stunning
My eyes have seen no light
I have not witnessed anything as beautiful in my life
The sunset was the last thing on my mind
I was not focused on the sunset
I feel your hands
I sense your hands touching me
You shake my face
You hold my face with your hands and shake it gently
And tell me it's okay to believe
You assure me that having faith is acceptable
Grace, it's all around you
Grace surrounds you
The sky is white
The sky appears white
I'm ready to be baptized
I am prepared to be immersed in water
You're all around me, yeah
You are close to me
All around me
You are everywhere I look
Grace will fly you home again
Grace will bring you back to where you belong
Where you're standing in the doorway
You will be positioned in the entrance
Singing songs to my old poetry
Serenading with my previous poems
For this pain to end, to be home again
I am eager for the agony to stop and for me to return home
That's why I feel your heart and I know
That is why I can sense your emotions and understand
That you can be my way
You can be my guiding light
And I'll say my love
I will say that I love you
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Allan Scott Goffinski, Caleb D Pepp, Kerri Pepp, Kevin Thomas Snider, Nicholas Dustin Coleman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind