“We know that every single kid out there is tired of the same old dance-pop record that gets released every single week. Our goal is to be the music scene’s saving grace,” says guitarist Mike Kitlas. “It will tell our listeners that we are here to stay and we are not a fad band that will fade out as soon as dance-pop is outdated.”
Free Your Mind extends beyond the cut-and-paste albums being churned out, instead infusing dynamic guitars behind the soul-shaking howls and relatable melodies from frontman Slade Echeverria. Crafted in Los Angeles by producer Mike Green (Paramore, Good Charlotte) over a four-week span in Los Angeles, Free Your Mind's formation came from a desire to break out from the "fad band" chokehold and delve into what was real.
The EP's lyrical themes of drama-addled love are age-appropriate for this band still fresh from cap and gown status, yet show emerging maturity and growth while navigating the waters of life on the road and in the press, as well as their loss of anonymity. Not one track doesn’t contain a purpose or reason ripped from the band’s own personal headlines, and the EP title wasn’t without a conscious peek into their agenda, either.
“We want to challenge kids to think outside of the norm, and really find themselves, rather then just following what the crowd is doing,” Kitlas said. “We want to show our listeners that they are not alone, we all go through our struggles and everyone has their ups and downs in life.”
The seven-track EP, kicks off with a mischievous call to a wayward paramour on “Let The Games Begin,” before sliding into the instant hip-shaking grooves of “The Brightest Green,” a slice of Maroon 5-ish soul that takes on a life of its own. Anarbor takes a familiar formula but adds a warmth and genuineness to every guitar lick and lyric that keeps them relatable yet unique. Each track seamlessly follows the next, spinning clever lyrics and brisk guitars, and each adds another deft chapter to this memorable volume.
“The distinctive sound we are reaching for is rock and roll. We don't use any instruments in our songs that we don’t play live, we are going for a very raw and real sound for this record,” Kitlas said. When noted that shared influences range from Third Eye Blind to Red Hot Chili Peppers, it’s even more apparent where the EP’s driving and fully-executed rock-based energy gained its roots.
The easy nature and chemistry of the band from Phoenix, Arizona, formed in 2003 is more than just a cosmic luck for an emerging band. Because this, in years of formation, is by no means a freshman band. Echeverria and Kitlas became friends in grade school, and continued to grow up experiencing many life-changing events together, securing a bond that eventually extended to music, and a decision to make it their ultimate ambition. The band signed to Hopeless Records before they even received their high school diplomas.
More than just a sum of its parts, the writing process for Anarbor is a group united, with each member adding input in acoustic jam sessions that allows everyone to collaborate and contribute creatively. It’s a cohesion that allowed each member’s personal preferences and talents shine when it came to recording.
Sharing the stage with everyone from Fall Out Boy to the Gin Blossoms, as well as a coveted spot on this year’s Take Action! Tour, Anarbor is gaining steady recognition as the diverse band to watch among a sea of faux rock ‘n rollers. This motivated and utterly gifted band will resonate with any listener who knows a thing or two about learning who you are and putting your ambitions into motion.
“We want people to walk away feeling comforted and confident in themselves,” Kitlas said. “Music is a universal language that everyone can relate to. We talk about our real life stories, feelings and situations. You can expect real music and real lyrics, no filler.”
I Do What I Do
Anarbor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where I had just turned forty-three
I still hadn't been on MTV
Life just isn't very easy on the other team
I've got so much to say, but not enough style
To make the people listen, yeah, cause I'm not
Putting on that act, I gotta watch my back
"Cool shirt," yeah, that could never be me
You're putting on an act, yeah
You better watch your back
This doesn't feel right; is this real life?
Do, I do, do what I want to
Do, you do, do what they tell you
Do, I do, do what I want to
Take all you need, but my music leaves with me
So now I'm living my life in a stereo type of life
It's my placebo thing, it's a disease
You're putting on an act, you better watch your back
This doesn't feel right; is this real life?
Do, I do, do what I want to
Do, you do, do what they tell you
Do, I do, do what I want to
Take all you need, but my music leaves with me
Yesterday, I had this dream
Where I had just turned forty-three
I still hadn't been on MTV
Life just isn't very easy on the other team
So I do, I do, I do what I want to
And I do, I do, do what I want to
And you do, you do, do what they tell you
This doesn't feel right; is this real life?
Do, I do, do what I want to
Do, you do, do what they tell you
Do, I do, do what I want to
Take all you need, but my music leaves with me
Take what you need, take what you need
Take all you need, but my music leaves with me
The song "I Do What I Do" by Anarbor is an introspective piece about the pressures of the music industry and staying true to oneself. The first verse introduces the dream that the singer had where he visualizes himself at 43 without having been on MTV yet. This is symbolic of the idea that success has a timeline and a specific set of rules that must be followed, and if they aren't met, then the artist must accept that they are on the "other team." The singer feels like he has a lot to say, but doesn't feel like he has the necessary style to make people pay attention.
The chorus is where the title of the song comes in, with the singer repeating the phrase "Do, I do, do what I want to" while contrasting this with the idea of doing what they tell you to do. He sees himself as an independent artist rather than one who conforms to the expectations and trends of the industry. The second verse explores the concept of the "placebo thing" or the idea that conforming to industry standards is a way to fit a certain mold that may not be genuine to the artist. The bridge reintroduces the dream, emphasizing that the reality of the industry is not easy for everyone.
Overall, "I Do What I Do" is a commentary on the pressures within the music industry and the importance of staying true to oneself amidst those pressures.
Line by Line Meaning
Yesterday, I had this dream
Narrator recalls a dream from the previous day
Where I had just turned forty-three
Age of the Narrator in the dream
I still hadn't been on MTV
Narrator's unfulfilled desire of being on MTV
Life just isn't very easy on the other team
Difficulties faced by the Narrator
I've got so much to say, but not enough style
Inability of the Narrator to express themselves
To make the people listen, yeah, cause I'm not
Lack of impact that Narrator's words might have
Putting on that act, I gotta watch my back
Need for Narrator to be cautious
I saw you, your face was on the tele
Narrator saw someone famous on TV
"Cool shirt," yeah, that could never be me
Narrator's perception that they can never be cool like the person on TV
You're putting on an act, yeah
Narrator's view of people pretending to be someone else
You better watch your back
Narrator's advice to people pretending to be someone else
This doesn't feel right; is this real life?
Narrator feeling uncertain of the reality around them
Do, I do, do what I want to
Narrator's resolution to do what they want
Do, you do, do what they tell you
The societal expectation to do as told
Take all you need, but my music leaves with me
Narrator's music is their own
So now I'm living my life in a stereo type of life
Narrator's feeling of living a predictable life
It's my placebo thing, it's a disease
Narrator considers their behavior a self-destructive pattern
Yesterday, I had this dream
Reiteration of the dream from before
This doesn't feel right; is this real life?
Narrator's continuing uncertainty about reality
Take what you need, take what you need
Narrator giving permission to take only what is necessary
Take all you need, but my music leaves with me
Narrator's music is a personal expression that they will take with them
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind