"Political Journalist" isn't… Read Full Bio ↴Anika Henderson, post-punk/avant garde/dub
"Political Journalist" isn't a credential we usually have in musician's bios, but this is exactly what Anika was doing while living between Berlin and Bristol earlier this year when she met Geoff Barrow. The producer was looking for a new singer to work with his band Beak>, and it was immediately clear they shared the same musical vision, including a love of punk, dub and 60s girl groups.
Just a week later Anika and Beak> (Barrow, Billy Fuller and Matt Williams) went into the studio to begin recording material. The resulting album was recorded in twelve days, live, with the four together in one room. Dub with no overdubs. The collaboration is political, trashy, dub, punk, funk ... a cohesive sound, and and experience in uneasy listening.
In the tradition of short-lived but deeply influential 99 Records and the NYC's 80s No Wave nexus, the nine songs on Anika run the gamut from experimental rock ("Yang Yang", "Officer Officer") to covers of folk ("Masters of War") and pop songs ("Terry", "I Go to Sleep"), while showcasing reverb-drenched ancient drum machine rhythms.
The album will be released by Beak's label Invada in Europe, and in USA & Japan by Stones Throw.
http://www.stonesthrow.com/anika
There are other artists with the same name:
2. Anika Auwiler, a German pop-folk artist out of Bonn (http://anika-musik.de/)
3. Footwork artist from Oregon, United States (https://soundcloud.com/anika_onesixty)
End Of The World
Anika Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Buildings burning, blazing in the night
Searchlight sweeping, lazer beams of light
Desolation, smoke has filled the sky
Siren wailing, who can hear my cry?
So the darkness leaves me never
I believe that God is love, and that's enough
To keep the evil demon away
Don't say I don't matter at all I will stand or I'll fall,
You're the most important call that I make
When I face that verdict today
'Though it's Auto-da-Fe?,' I'll say it's really not
The End of the World
When I was young I was the golden son,
People said I was the chosen one
And I knew I must walk like a man
Never fail, and do the best I can
When I see that light come shining
When I feel the sacred spirit rising
The lyrics to Anika's song "End of the World" paint a vivid picture of chaos, destruction, and fear. The first verse depicts a city on fire, with sirens wailing and smoke filling the sky as someone cries out in desperation. Despite the darkness and destruction surrounding them, the singer expresses a belief in the power of love to keep the "evil demon" at bay. They also recognize the importance of human connections, acknowledging that the person they call upon when facing judgment will have a significant impact on their fate.
The second verse is more personal in nature, with the singer reflecting on their own past as a "golden son" who was expected to be the best they could be. They continue to express their faith in a higher power, looking forward to the moment when they will feel their spirit rise.
Overall, the lyrics to "End of the World" seem to be about finding hope and comfort in the face of adversity. Whether dealing with the destruction of a city, or the challenges of personal growth and self-improvement, the singer believes that there is meaning and purpose to be found in these difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
Buildings burning, blazing in the night
The sight of burning buildings at night is a symbol of destruction and chaos.
Searchlight sweeping, lazer beams of light
The use of searchlights and lasers is a sign that people are desperately looking for something to hold onto in the midst of chaos.
Desolation, smoke has filled the sky
The smoke-filled sky is a representation of broken dreams and despair.
Siren wailing, who can hear my cry?
Anika is wondering if anyone can hear her voice or comprehend her pain amidst all the chaos.
So the darkness leaves me never
Anika feels as though the darkness and chaos of the world will never leave her and will always be present in her life.
And the grinding wheels are turning ever
Despite the chaos around her, the world keeps turning and life goes on.
I believe that God is love, and that's enough
Anika feels that her faith and belief in God's love is enough for her to defeat the evil in the world.
To keep the evil demon away
She believes that her faith and love for God will protect her from the evil in the world.
Don't say I don't matter at all I will stand or I'll fall
Anika is declaring that she does matter and that she will stand up for herself even if she falls in the process.
You're the most important call that I make
Anika is declaring that the person she is talking to is the most important person in her life.
When I face that verdict today
Anika is facing a difficult decision or situation that she will have to deal with today.
'Though it's Auto-da-Fe?,' I'll say it's really not
The End of the World
Auto-da-Fe is a public ceremony in which heretics were tried and punished by the Church. Anika is saying that she will not see her situation as the end of the world, despite its severity.
When I was young I was the golden son,
People said I was the chosen one
And I knew I must walk like a man
Never fail, and do the best I can
Anika reflects on her past and how she was once seen as special and chosen. She felt pressure to always do her best and never fail.
When I see that light come shining
When I feel the sacred spirit rising
Anika is uplifted and inspired when she experiences moments of light and meaningful spiritual experiences in her life.
Writer(s): Sylvia Dee, Arthur Kent
Contributed by Gabriella S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.