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.
Until the Morning
Akron/Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't bother looking for a chair
Just throw your coat down anywhere
I'm sorry I'm so poorly dressed
I gave up hoping for a guest
You say you've got a weight to bear
A cross you carry everywhere
I tell you, you can leave that here
I had always wondered how you carried all that grief I know
It wasn't right I know to saddle you with mine
And my life my identity I Lay them at your feet
and stand here broken in the mirror of your eyes
The old prayers written on your skin
Claim you were meant to live in sin
They're singing mass out in the yard
They heard that you're the one I want
I'm about to burn alive
you still won’t look me in the eyes
I'll turn the light out if you want
If you feel safer in the dark
I came to you an orphan but I'm leaving here a thief if
I can only find the door I'll go tonight.
And my past and my future I left them in the street
in the hope you'd let me come inside
The lyrics to Akron/Family's song "Until the Morning" depict a complex relationship between two individuals. The singer begins by apologizing for their appearance and lack of hospitality, indicating that they have given up on expecting guests. The other person shares their burden and confesses to carrying a heavy cross everywhere they go. The singer sympathizes, acknowledging the unfairness and encourages them to leave their burdens behind.
The singer expresses their guilt for burdening the other person with their own grief, reflecting on how they've wondered how the other person manages to carry their own struggles. They acknowledge that it wasn't right to add their own problems to the mix. The lyrics also suggest that the other person is seen as a source of comfort and understanding, symbolized by the act of laying their life and identity at their feet. However, the singer feels broken, as reflected in the mirror of the other person's eyes.
The mention of old prayers and the accusation that the other person was meant to live in sin hint at the religious and moral conflicts within the relationship. The song also alludes to societal judgment and gossip, as the yard singing mass seems to be aware of the connection between the two individuals. The singer feels consumed by their feelings, willing to burn alive, yet the other person still avoids eye contact. The offer to turn off the light and create a safer space in the dark suggests an attempt to alleviate the other person's discomfort.
The song concludes with the singer's realization that they came as an orphan, seeking solace, but are now leaving as a thief, taking something from the other person. The lyrics indicate a willingness to leave their past and future behind in the hope of being allowed to be closer to the other person.
Overall, "Until the Morning" explores themes of guilt, burdens, desire for intimacy, and the complex dynamics of a relationship. It delves into the struggle between personal history and the desire to connect with someone on a deeper level.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't bother looking for a chair
There's no need to worry about finding a seat
Just throw your coat down anywhere
Feel free to make yourself comfortable without worrying about rules or formality
I'm sorry I'm so poorly dressed
Forgive me for not meeting your expectations in appearance
I gave up hoping for a guest
I had lost hope in having someone visit me
You say you've got a weight to bear
You express the burden you carry
A cross you carry everywhere
The symbolic cross represents the struggles you face in all aspects of life
I say I know, and it's not fair
I acknowledge your difficulties and understand their unfairness
I tell you, you can leave that here
I offer you a place where you can temporarily set aside your troubles
I had always wondered how you carried all that grief I know
I have always been curious about the strength you possess to bear such immense sorrow
It wasn't right I know to saddle you with mine
I realize it was unfair to burden you with my own sorrows
And my life my identity I Lay them at your feet
I surrender my entire existence and sense of self to you
and stand here broken in the mirror of your eyes
I feel vulnerable and shattered as I see my own reflection in your eyes
The old prayers written on your skin
The religious tattoos on your body symbolize your connection to faith and devotion
Claim you were meant to live in sin
Some people believe you are destined to lead a sinful life
They're singing mass out in the yard
A religious ceremony is taking place outside
They heard that you're the one I want
Word has spread that I desire and long for you
I'm about to burn alive
I am consumed by intense emotions or desires
you still won’t look me in the eyes
You refuse to make eye contact with me
I'll turn the light out if you want
I am willing to create a darker environment if it makes you feel more comfortable
If you feel safer in the dark
If darkness provides you a sense of security
I came to you an orphan but I'm leaving here a thief if
When I arrived, I felt alone and abandoned, but now I fear I may leave with something I shouldn't take
I can only find the door I'll go tonight.
If I can locate the exit, I plan to leave this place tonight
And my past and my future I left them in the street
I have left behind my history and plans for the future, abandoning them outside
in the hope you'd let me come inside
I hold onto the hope that you will permit me to enter your life and be a part of it
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB.
Written by: DANA JANSSEN, SETH OLINSKY, MILES SEATON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rowffy
Don t bother looking for a chair
Just throw your coat down anywhere
I m sorry I m so poorly dressed
I gave up hoping for a guest
Whoa-oh-oh
You say you got a weight to bare
A cross you carry everywhere
I said I know and it ain t fair
I tell you you can leave that here
Whoa-oh-oh...
And I always wondered
How you carried all that grief
I know it wasn t right to saddle you with mine
My life, my identity I lay them at your feet
And stand here broken in the mirror of your eyes
'Til the morning...
The old prayers written on your skin
They're singing mass out in the yard
They heard that you re the one I want
That I want...
And I m about to burn alive
You still won t look me in the eye
I'll turn the light out if you want
If you feel safer in the dark
Whoa-oh-oh...
I came to you an orphan
But I m living here a thief
If I can only find the door I ll go tonight
My life, my identity I lay them at your feet
In just the hope that you d let me come inside
Richard Nicholls
My very best to Miles' family, especially to Will.
liviaontheroad
what a beautiful music you left us with, Miles! thank you
Ryan Cooke
RIP Miles. Thank you for the amazing records. Akron were one of the best/if not the best live bands I've seen in 25 years of going to shows. Miles was an immense, joyous, profoundly inspiring performer.
The Lord of Entropy
RIP Miles. Thank you all for making music that has meant so much to me since I first heard Awake/Moment.
Fathoms2004
this music is the human spirit distilled to it's essentials.
Bill Cole
To the cat who posted this....you seem to always hit the nail on the head with good stuff! Keep it up!
Rowffy
Don t bother looking for a chair
Just throw your coat down anywhere
I m sorry I m so poorly dressed
I gave up hoping for a guest
Whoa-oh-oh
You say you got a weight to bare
A cross you carry everywhere
I said I know and it ain t fair
I tell you you can leave that here
Whoa-oh-oh...
And I always wondered
How you carried all that grief
I know it wasn t right to saddle you with mine
My life, my identity I lay them at your feet
And stand here broken in the mirror of your eyes
'Til the morning...
The old prayers written on your skin
They're singing mass out in the yard
They heard that you re the one I want
That I want...
And I m about to burn alive
You still won t look me in the eye
I'll turn the light out if you want
If you feel safer in the dark
Whoa-oh-oh...
I came to you an orphan
But I m living here a thief
If I can only find the door I ll go tonight
My life, my identity I lay them at your feet
In just the hope that you d let me come inside
Geo Orobo
I've only just discovered Akron/Family. Such a tragic loss!!
Eugene Chappuis
I miss you Miles. it been too long brother! this is amazing!!!
715CREEKS
I had always wondered how you carried all that grief I know it wasn't right to saddle you with mine My life, my identity, I lay them at your feet And stand here broken in the mirror of your eyes Until the morning,