Active Child is the project of Pat Grossi, resident of Los Angeles, native … Read Full Bio ↴Active Child is the project of Pat Grossi, resident of Los Angeles, native of New Jersey. Inspired by his days as a choir boy and epic nights as a member of the band Weight Room, Grossi combines his soaring vocals and crunching analogue synths with the honey drip drop of echoing harps.

For Pat Grossi of Active Child, the last two years have been nothing short of enriching. Musically, Pat has worked within and appropriated a number of styles into his sound, from his early days singing with that heavenly voice as a choir boy to his more recent forays into laptop-assisted indie-pop made in his bedroom, best exemplified on 2010’s acclaimed Curtis Lane EP. His sound is so wide-ranging that he has found himself touring with many notable acts of differing genres, including dubstep producer James Blake, dreamy synth-pop of School of Seven Bells, and the indie-rock bands White Lies and White Rabbits.

Nothing quite prepares you for the leap that Pat has taken with his debut album, You Are All I See, out on August 23rd via Vagrant records. Recently, he has expanded his sonic ambitions and turned the studio into an instrument for a record that sounds cosmically huge and yet intimate all the same.

Of the album title, Pat himself says, “You Are All I See is an attempt to build a bridge between the listener and I, in that, I wrote these songs for you as much as I did for me. And right now when you are listening to my voice, by yourself, it really is just you and I.” In attempting to craft songs that meant something not only to himself but that could be meaningful to others as well, he found himself working with some universally human and fragile themes. “The songs focus primarily on the joy and heartbreak of relationships, love lost and rediscovered, battles with monogamy, battles with identity,” Pat says. “It came out much darker than I had intended, but sometimes you only have so much control.”

The grand, cinematic scope of Pat’s artistic vision is apparent on You Are All I See, which owes as much to his wide array of influences as it does to Pat’s own knack for employing these influences in fresh, forward-thinking ways. With triumphant synths and shimmering, contrapuntal harp lines, songs like the title track and “Hanging On” are reminiscent of Radiohead’s “Motion Picture Soundtrack,” but improve upon that template with layered vocals not far removed from Bon Iver or even James Blake, who Active Child recently opened for on tour. “High Priestess” and “See Thru Eyes” are stunning forays into electronic music territory, littered with samples, drum machines, and keyboards that propel the songs forward while simultaneously seeming weightless and suspended. It is in this tension that You Are All I See lives, breathes, and thrives so magnificently. The album is indebted to the sounds of the 1980s, from New Order’s drums-and-synths to danceable hip-hop beats, and it’s all topped off with soaring r&b melodies. The album’s first single, “Playing House,” features guest vocals from Tom Krell, the crooner of lo-fi r&b project How To Dress Well. Pitchfork Media recently premiered the track, noting “Active Child’s sound now seems positively ahead of its time.”

Reflecting on the album’s finished product, Pat says “I think more than anything, I see this debut release as a bridge towards something bigger and truer. Something I can look back on and think, ‘damn, you really did it’.” When you finally hear You Are All I See you’ll think the very same thing.

Shield & Sword
Active Child Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Climb down from your window,
Tonight we lie as one
No sleep till tomorrow,
The blinds will hide us from the sun
Oh below the sheets, we meet
Nobody knows, where we'll be

Shield your sword, from all of those unknown

Protect as if you're in a fire, amongst the flames they whip
And try to burn you

I'll let you know, that I know, that you're in a fire
I'll let you know, that I know, that you're in a fire

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Active Child's song Shield & Sword feature a sense of intimacy and secrecy between two individuals, as illustrated by the first stanza, which depicts the singer and his partner meeting privately at night, away from the prying eyes of the world. The use of the metaphorical language of shields and swords in the second stanza further highlights the sense of protection and danger in the relationship. The shields, in this case, represent a defense mechanism against the "unknown" that lurks outside their bubble of intimacy, while the sword represents an offensive mechanism that can fend off any threats to their relationship.

The chorus, "I'll let you know that I know that you're in a fire," brings the two stanzas together, suggesting that the intimacy shared by the two characters is not without its challenges and dangers. It implies that they are aware of the potential risks and challenges they face as they enter this intimate space together. Nevertheless, they are ready to face those challenges head-on with their metaphorical shields and swords as a sign of their commitment to each other.

Overall, the lyrics of Shield & Sword are a heartfelt depiction of the dual nature of intimacy - the risks, and rewards that come with building a deep connection with someone.

Line by Line Meaning

Climb down from your window,
Come down from your high place and join me in intimacy

Tonight we lie as one
We will spend the night together, connected as one

No sleep till tomorrow,
We will stay up all night, enjoying each other's company

The blinds will hide us from the sun
We will keep the world outside at bay, and keep our love secluded

Oh below the sheets, we meet
We come together in the safety and privacy of our bed

Nobody knows, where we'll be
Our love is a secret, and only we know where it will take us

Shield your sword, from all of those unknown
Protect yourself from the unknown dangers of the world, like a warrior with a shield and sword

Protect as if you're in a fire, amongst the flames they whip
Be vigilant and proactive, as if you're in the midst of a fire where the flames threaten to consume you

And try to burn you
The unknown dangers of the world will try to burn you, so be prepared and stay strong

I'll let you know, that I know, that you're in a fire
I understand the difficulties and dangers you face in the world, and I am here to support you

I'll let you know, that I know, that you're in a fire
You can trust me to be there for you when things get tough

Contributed by Alexis B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS