As of 2009, the band consists of Kristen Henderson on bass guitar/bg vocals, Cathy Henderson on lead guitar/bg vocals, Dena Tauriello on drums and Nini Camps on rhythm guitar and lead vocals.
The band is primarily known as a touring band, at one time performing 260 shows a year. They earned a dedicated fanbase early on that follows them from concert to concert along the East Coast and increasingly across the country. Fans refer to the band simply as "AR" or "Antigone".
Their first four albums were recorded mostly with independent labels and financed through fan donations. In 2003 they signed up with Lava Records after label president Jason Flom spotted them playing at one of their gigs. In 2005, they became the first artists to be promoted in Starbucks' Hear Music Series, created to discover and spotlight new music. The high visibility, exclusive sale, in-store promotion and airplay at Starbucks across the country helped the band's acoustic EP From the Ground Up sell over 450,000 copies by the end of 2005. The album's single, "Don't Look Back," was very popular among country audiences, and its video received heavy airplay on CMT.
Antigone Rising have shared the stage with Joan Jett, The Rolling Stones, moe., Rob Thomas, Aerosmith, The Allman Brothers and The Bangles[1]. They performed at Lilith Fair 1998 and SXSW 2005 and have co-written with Chris Trapper of The Push Stars and Rob Thomas.
Oblivious
Antigone Rising Lyrics
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That subtle disdain
By that cross on your back
You carry in vain
I sense a deception
Truth was never told
Watch this fire at your feet
Blaze wild as it gently gets fanned
By the broad wing of time
A storybook romance
It ends in happy ever after
But as far as she's noticed there's just
Once upon a time
Don't cry
You choose what you sow
And what you reap
Wish it well
What you gave away
And bless what you keep
You made your own mind
It falls down on you
You're all caught up in love
And wishes that won't come true
In that bed that you made
The lyrics of Antigone Rising's song "Oblivious" touch upon themes of deception, self-destruction, and accepting the consequences of one's choices. The song begins by describing the singer's observations of someone's demeanor and burden. The "look in your eye" and "subtle disdain" suggest that this person is hiding something or harboring negative emotions. The mention of a cross on their back implies that they bear a burden in vain, possibly alluding to a sense of false martyrdom or carrying the weight of something that holds no true value.
The line "I sense a deception, truth was never told" further emphasizes the theme of hidden truths and dishonesty. There is a feeling of betrayal or deceit present in this person's actions or words. It suggests that their intentions and motives are not genuine, and that they may be actively hiding the truth from others.
The lyrics then shift to a metaphor of a fire at the person's feet, symbolizing the consequences of their actions. This fire, representing the problems or troubles they face, is described as blazing wild and being fanned by the passing of time. This implies that the longer they ignore or deny their actions, the more intense and difficult their situation becomes. The phrase "broad wing of time" suggests that time, like a protective or nurturing force, has the power to magnify the consequences they are trying to avoid.
The following lines introduce the idea of a failed romance, portrayed as a "storybook romance" that ends in a fairytale-like happy ever after. However, the singer acknowledges that this narrative is merely a facade. The phrase "as far as she's noticed there's just once upon a time" suggests that the perceived happiness is only an illusion, and the reality is far from ideal. This brings to light the theme of disillusionment and the disparity between expectations and reality.
The final lines convey a sense of personal responsibility and acceptance of the consequences of one's choices. The lines "Don't cry, you choose what you sow and what you reap" imply that the person is solely responsible for the outcomes of their actions. They must face the repercussions of their decisions without lamenting or placing blame elsewhere. The subsequent lines "Wish it well, what you gave away and bless what you keep" suggest a need to let go of what has been lost and appreciate what remains. The conclusion of the song's lyrics, "In that bed that you made," reflects the idea that the person is now facing the consequences of their choices and must lie in the bed they have metaphorically created for themselves, grappling with the unfulfilled wishes and unattainable desires associated with their actions.
Line by Line Meaning
By that look in your eye
By the expression in your eye
That subtle disdain
That hidden feeling of contempt
By that cross on your back
By the burden you carry
You carry in vain
You bear without purpose
I sense a deception
I feel a sense of dishonesty
Truth was never told
The truth was never spoken
Watch this fire at your feet
Observe the blaze on the ground before you
From standing on line
From waiting patiently
Blaze wild as it gently gets fanned
The fire burns uncontrollably as it is softly encouraged
By the broad wing of time
By the passage of time
A storybook romance
A love story that resembles fairy tales
It ends in happy ever after
It concludes with eternal happiness
But as far as she's noticed there's just
But from her perspective, there is only
Once upon a time
A long time ago
Don't cry
Do not weep
You choose what you sow
You decide what you plant
And what you reap
And what you harvest
Wish it well
Hope for the best
What you gave away
What you have given up
And bless what you keep
And be grateful for what you still possess
You made your own mind
You have made your own decision
It falls down on you
The consequences are upon you
You're all caught up in love
You are completely entangled in love
And wishes that won't come true
And desires that will not be fulfilled
In that bed that you made
In the situation you have created
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CASSIDY CATANZARO, CATHY HENDERSON, DENA MUGUATTE TAURIELLO, KRISTEN HENDERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind