For fans of Jimmy Eat World and Death Cab fo… Read Full Bio ↴[Press Release - 5.11.2010]
For fans of Jimmy Eat World and Death Cab for Cutie
The debut full-length album from Los Angeles based indie/rock group Act As If, entitled “There’s a Light,” is now available on iTunes, Amazon mp3, Lala, and Zune.
The band’s singer/songwriter Peter Verdell wrote and produced the 11-song album, and also performed all drums, guitars, piano, synths and vocals. The album was mixed by Nick Baumhardt (of The Class of 98 [The Militia Group], Thousand Foot Krutch [Tooth and Nail], and FM Static [Tooth and Nail]), and mastered by Troy Glessner (Death Cab for Cutie, Pedro the Lion).
The band is currently unsigned.
[Full Bio]
After self-recording and releasing Act As If’s first EP in 2006, frontman Peter Verdell spent some time running the gamut of singer/songwriter ups and downs.
Needing new breath, he quit his job as A&R assistant at Drive-Thru Records in 2007, began retaking music classes at a community college, and temporarily traded Los Angeles for Chicago in 2008 to drum and tour with friend/musician Andrew Ripp. In the fall of that year, Verdell made the decision to move back to LA and refocus on Act As If.
By the spring of 2009, the band had recorded and self-released a limited edition 5-song EP (“More Birds with Fewer Stones”) for a west coast acoustic tour with Stacy Clark (Shangri-La/Vanguard Records). In June, Act As If began tracking 11 new songs that would become their debut full-length album, “There’s a Light”.
The sonic result of “There’s a Light” is most easily described as a mix of Death Cab for Cutie and Jimmy Eat World. Verdell performed all the drums, guitars, pianos, synths, and vocals, while band mate Derrick Wong performed bass. The album was self-produced, mixed by Nick Baumhardt (of The Class of 98 [The Militia Group], Thousand Foot Krutch [Tooth and Nail], and FM Static [Tooth and Nail]), and mastered by Troy Glessner (Death Cab for Cutie, Pedro the Lion).
Recent activity has found Act As If playing such notable LA venues as The Troubadour, and with esteemed bands including The Daylights [Epic/Sony], Everybody Else [The Militia Group], The Higher [Epitaph], Barcelona [Universal], and Stacy Clark [Shangri-La/Vanguard]. A song from their self-titled EP, “Please Catch Up,” was licensed for a primetime ABC reality show entitled “Greg Behrendt’s Wake Up Call.”
Steady
Act As If Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I sing, do poems come out?
And what are we fighting for?
We swing and watch them go down
See, you and I aren't ghosts
But tell me, are we living?
'Cause it gets hard to know
When to stand and when to give in
Even when I'm on my own
Yeah, aching in my bones
And you will always have me
Even when you think you don't
You're steady as we go
Is my tongue fully formed?
When I speak, do I speak clearly?
What are we working for?
It's late and you don't see me
I will always want you
Even when I'm on my own
Yeah, aching in my bones
And you will always have me
Even when you think you don't
You're steady as we go
Is my heart fully formed?
Will this beat give me a new chance?
What are we racing towards?
Is it something that we can't have?
And I will always want you
Even when I'm on my own
Yeah, aching in my bones
And you will always have me
'Cause even when you think you don't
You're steady as we go
Steady as we go now
You're steady as we go
The song "Steady" by Act As If has lyrics that seemingly reflect on one's personal growth and relationships. At the beginning of the song, the singer questions if their words and actions are fully formed and if they are making a significant impact. They also question the purpose of their efforts and whether they are worth the fight. The uncertainty of life is highlighted in the question of whether or not they are truly living. The chorus shows that despite the unknowns and doubts, the singer is certain of their love for the other person. They will always want them and be there for them, even when they think they don't need it. The song culminates in a question about the ultimate goal in life, and whether it is achievable. In the end, the steady presence of the other person brings comfort and stability.
Overall, the song seems to reflect on one's growth, self-doubt, relationships, and the purpose of life. The lyrics address the constant questioning of the self and the importance of having someone to rely on to bring stability to an ever-changing world.
Line by Line Meaning
Are my lips fully formed?
Am I capable of expressing myself clearly?
When I sing, do poems come out?
Do I have something meaningful to say?
And what are we fighting for?
What is the purpose of this struggle?
We swing and watch them go down
We witness the downfall of those we oppose
See, you and I aren't ghosts
We are alive and present
But tell me, are we living?
What does it mean to truly live?
'Cause it gets hard to know
It's challenging to understand
When to stand and when to give in
When do we hold our ground and when do we compromise?
Is my tongue fully formed?
Am I speaking clearly and articulately?
When I speak, do I speak clearly?
Do I have something valuable to say?
What are we working for?
What is the goal we're trying to achieve?
It's late and you don't see me
I feel unseen and unheard
Is my heart fully formed?
Am I capable of feeling and caring?
Will this beat give me a new chance?
Can I start over and try again?
What are we racing towards?
What is the end goal we're trying to reach?
Is it something that we can't have?
Is our goal unattainable?
I will always want you
My love for you is ever-present
Even when I'm on my own
Even when I'm alone
Yeah, aching in my bones
Feeling a deep sense of longing
And you will always have me
I'll always be there for you
Even when you think you don't
Even when you feel alone or abandoned
You're steady as we go
You provide stability and support during tough times
Steady as we go now
Let's keep moving forward together with stability and consistency
Contributed by Christian A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@pricerowland
I've been a fan of this song for years. It's haunting and gorgeous.
@ActAsIfmusic
thanks for the comment!!!
@mistyvenne
I cannot get over how beautiful this song is!! Found it on spotify & added to some of my play lists. Every time it comes up, I meltttttt!!!
@ActAsIfmusic
+Misty Venne Yess :) :) Thanks for the post!
@rogervasquez3483
so do I
@magicbeliver1
This song has been on repeat for me the past few days. I can't believe this doesn't have more views
@ActAsIfmusic
<3 <3
@RMTren
My God I'm 3 years late for the feels train! Just listened to it last week on Spotify and now I'm hooked!
I love how deep and emotionally heavy the sound is, the bass is used so well to evoke emotions from the listeners. I like songs with strong bass and emotional melodies, so this is just up my alley. Thank you for this song even if I'm way too late for it! 😍😍😍
@yessolive
World... You must listen it.
@ActAsIfmusic
+Jéssica Oliver :) :)