Through Clairecords (Sacramento), Airiel released a series of four-song EPs titled Winks & Kisses. The EPs were also sold as a limited edition boxed set, capturing the evolution of Airiel in its current form. Their CDs are consistently some of the top sellers of the label, and the Frosted EP has already sold out. The group has also been asked to contribute to several compilation CDs, including Never Lose That Feeling by Club AC30 (U.K.).
In addition to their recordings, Airiel has also gained a reputation for being a live band. In addition to playing such local Chicago landmarks as the Double Door, Subterranean, and the Bottom Lounge, they have performed in Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Denver, Pittsburgh and Indianapolis. They have toured the U.S. East Coast, performing in New York City, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and points in between. Airiel has also opened for some high-profile acts, including The Dears and The Brian Jonestown Massacre.
This Is Permanent
Airiel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take me out tonight
Snake charms packed inside of me
Everything's all right
The blind are watching over you
Painkillers for all of us
The blind are crawling up to you
All this time
You′re holding on to too much
You're close enough to touch
Lover boys watching over me
Take me home tonight
Permanent hands all over me
Everything's alright
The blind are watching over you
Painkillers for all of us
The blind are crawling up to you
To carry us home tonight
All this time
You′re holding on to too much
And old enough to touch
The lyrics of Airiel's song "This Is Permanent" paint a vivid picture of a wild and surreal night out. The opening lines "Girls all around, it's hard to breathe. Take me out tonight" evoke a sense of urgent desire and adventure, as if the singer is seeking a release from some kind of suffocating situation. The next line, "Snake charms packed inside of me, everything's all right," is a curious and cryptic image that suggests the presence of danger or temptation, but at the same time, a feeling of confidence or strength in the singer.
The chorus of the song brings in the haunting refrain "The blind are watching over you, painkillers for all of us." This creates a sense of vulnerability and dependence on something or someone outside of the individual. The following line, "The blind are crawling up to you, to carry us home tonight", in combination with the chorus, flavor the song with undertones of alienation, hopelessness, addiction, and the seeking for the pleasures of mortality.
The final lines of the song, "All this time you're holding on to too much, and old enough to touch," encapsulate the theme of the song which is a desire for connection but a feeling of being trapped or incomplete. The need to escape or release, even if momentary, from the burden of perceived loneliness.
Line by Line Meaning
Girls all around, it’s hard to breathe
The singer feels suffocated amidst the presence of numerous girls.
Take me out tonight
The singer is seeking excitement or an escape from the current situation.
Snake charms packed inside of me
The singer feels an internal conflict, as though there is danger and temptation within them that they cannot control.
Everything's all right
Despite the internal and external struggles, the artist is trying to convince themselves that everything will be okay.
The blind are watching over you
The artist feels as though they are being watched or judged by people who are not truly aware or understanding of their situation.
Painkillers for all of us
The singer is trying to numb the pain or struggles of themselves and those around them.
The blind are crawling up to you
The singer feels as though they are being overwhelmed by the judgment and scrutiny of others.
To carry us home tonight
The artist wants to be relieved of their struggles and taken to a place where they can finally be at peace.
All this time, you're holding on to too much
The artist realizes that they have been carrying a heavy emotional burden for too long.
You're close enough to touch
The artist is close to breaking under the weight of their struggles.
Lover boys watching over me
The singer feels as though they are being watched or pursued by someone who wants to be their lover.
Take me home tonight
The artist seeks comfort and safety in being taken home.
Permanent hands all over me
The singer feels trapped or smothered by someone who has a permanent hold on them.
Everything's alright
The singer is trying to convince themselves that everything will be okay despite feeling trapped.
And old enough to touch
The singer has been carrying their emotional burden for far too long and it has finally become tangible and all-consuming.
Writer(s): Jeremy Wrenn
Contributed by James O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@rockypena2813
This song is so awesome, I'm listening to it nonstop. Airiel has always captured what I feel shoegaze should sound like. They're one of the few bands that really make me feel. Their sound is so otherworldly, one of my favourite bands of all time.
@rarestform5699
If you aren't familiar with Pinkshinyultrablast, you might like them too. Hard slapping, cosmic guitar leads.
@rockypena2813
@@rarestform5699 Oh yeah definitely, Pinkshinyultrablast are an awesome band. They're another one of my top favourite bands ever as well, cosmic sound for sure.
@OzN3T
Totally agree!! Amazing band, the real sound inheritors from Ride and Slowdive
@andersonhalland3052
Curve & KOD is still the best shoegazer bands
@foxdavis101
Can't believe this is 5 years old. Just saw them in Seattle, 2023 and one of the best concerts I've ever been to... Will see them again 100%!
@joedapier590
I can't stop listening to this tune. It's in constant rotation. In my place, my car, everywhere. The rest of the album is fantastic as well. I live in Chi too and will be looking for upcoming shows when those start happening again.
@berlinshoegazer
Love your basslines. Reminds me a bit on "kiss me slowly" (my personal favourite Airiel track) - Watched your new video at least 10 times now. Thank you for that. :)
@nokian9005
SHOEGAZER Airiel basslines are magical. They are so up lifting that sometimes it feels as though the notes are the path of a graceful swooping bird.
@ashtonyoung
Dude holy shit I just saw this video from the kiss me slowly video and I had no idea these dudes were making new music?????? I'm incredibly stoked