Though each member of the band — Miles Seaton, Seth Olinsky, Dana Janssen and formerly Ryan Vanderhoof — can be relegated to loosely defined roles (drummer, guitarist, bassist, vocalist), all of them play several instruments and sing, as evidenced by their shows and recorded material. When playing live, the band makes prominent use of improvisation and vocal harmonies. On their self-titled debut record, field recordings of a creaking chair, thunderclaps and the white noise of a television find their way alongside psychedelic and electronic elements, guitars and a glockenspiel.
In addition to their solo debut in 2005, the band played behind Michael Gira on his Angels of Light project as well as splitting a full length CD with Angels of Light.
In 2006, the band released an EP, “Meek Warrior,” a collaboration with master drummer/hero Hamid Drake which contained both more traditional folk music such as the lovely "Gone Beyond" and a pair of throbbing electric guitar monsters in “The Rider (Dolphin Song)” and the epic “Blessing Force,” which ends with an exploration into free jazz.
Sometime between the completion of [2007 release] Love Is Simple and Akron/Family’s 2007 U.S. tour, Vanderhoof left Akron/Family to live in a Buddhist Dharma center in the Midwest.
The band has also released several tour EPs featuring demos and other recordings. In May of 2009, the trio released Set 'em Wild, Set 'em Free. This album serves as a blend of the previous albums with more acoustic-folk songs like "Set 'em Free," to fusion freak-outs like "Gravelly Mountains of the Moon."
In January of 2011 they released their album, "S/T II: The Cosmic Birth And Journey Of Shinju TNT ."
Akron/Family's sixth studio album, Sub Verses, was released on April 30, 2013 on Dead Oceans. The band toured for the album from January 29 to December 8, 2013. After the tour the band decided to focus on personal projects, leaving the door open for a possible reunion in the future.
No Space In This Realm
Akron/Family Lyrics
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Know that you're not coming back
And hearts are heard around the world
Screaming clocks with whirling arms
And booming bling and car alarm
You're in a place that's quiet now
Fields are soft and pools are clear
With glowing light ponds in the rear
Ain't it sad though, ain't it true
There's no more place for me and you
But space is low
No space in this realm
The lyrics to "No Space In This Realm" by Akron/Family paint a picture of loss and longing. The singer is waiting for someone to return, but knows deep down that they are not coming back. The sound of hearts beating around the world represents the singer's sense of connection to others and their shared experiences of loss. Meanwhile, the cacophony of noise in the background - clocks ticking, car alarms blaring - serves to emphasize the sense of disconnection and alienation that the singer feels.
As the song progresses, the singer describes a world that seems to have moved on without them. The fields are peaceful and the ponds are clear, but there is no place for the singer and their loved one in this idyllic landscape. The living room is goldenrod - a color that connotes warmth and comfort - but it too feels empty and abandoned. Ultimately, the singer acknowledges that there is "no space in this realm" for them and their loved one - a recognition of the fact that they have been left behind, unable to move forward into a new chapter of their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
I listen for the door to crack
I hope to hear the door open, but deep down, I know that you won't return
Know that you're not coming back
I am aware that you have left and won't be returning
And hearts are heard around the world
The sadness of heartbreak is a universal feeling felt by all people around the globe
Screaming clocks with whirling arms
The clocks are ticking loudly, the time seems to be moving very fast, and the situation is intense
And booming bling and car alarm
The city is loud and chaotic, with the constant noise of car horns, alarms and other sounds
You're in a place that's quiet now
You have left the city and now live in a peaceful and tranquil place
Fields are soft and pools are clear
The countryside is beautiful and unspoiled, with lush fields and crystal clear pools
With glowing light ponds in the rear
The ponds at the back are shining brightly and look magical
The living room is goldenrod
The living room is painted in a golden yellow color, which signifies hope and positivity
Ain't it sad though, ain't it true
It's both sad and true that we can't be together anymore
There's no more place for me and you
We can't stay together in this realm
But space is low
However, there is no more room for us to coexist in this world
No space in this realm
We can't exist together in this physical world
Contributed by Caden E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.