In mid-2005 he began work on a second album with the intention of creating something organic, classic and real. True to his indie spirit, when it came time to record and funds weren't readily available, he called out to his grass-roots fan base for assistance. Loyal fans, eager for a second release, pre-ordered the upcoming album and a small back-log of unreleased demos, generating enough revenue for a completely fan-funded album.
Mattox's stunning sophomore release, Prizefighter [November 1, 2005] is already a knock-out with fans. "My goal was to spend the time and make an album that is easily accessible to people; something they could grasp onto and call their own," he says. He took the better part of 6 months off the road and came up with eleven tales of turmoil and triumph that bob and weave beautifully throughout this stark masterpiece. Mattox and his band recorded Prizefighter during an eight week lock-out with Producer John Briglevich (Goo Goo Dolls, Edwin McCain, Chuck D) at Sonica Recording Studios in Atlanta, Georgia. "I wanted Prizefighter to be very much about my personal struggles this past year," says Mattox "I needed it to reflect who I am as a person and stand as an example for what you can accomplish if you just get up, dust yourself off, and keep going."
Mattox and his band are currently out on the road in support of Prizefighter. "I have had the pleasure of collaborating with a lot of really good musicians over the past two years," says Mattox, "but there's nothing more powerful than sharing a stage and making a record with my best friends." His current touring line-up includes long-time drummer Andy Bauer, keys and rhythm guitarist Rivers Pearce, bassist Mike Lamond and lead guitarist Chris Skogen. Mattox lives in Athens, Georgia, while the band resides in Atlanta, allowing them the privilege of calling both places "home".
Mattox has seen national success on MTV's Real World, Turner Network Television's NASCAR, Delta Airline's Campus Movie Fest, "Good Morning Atlanta" on CBS, and has performed live on FOX Charlotte, Q100's "The Bert Show", and Music Midtown 2004 alongside the Foo Fighters and Switchfoot. His last two Atlanta performances at The Roxy Theatre had over 1,000 in attendance and he has recently seen airplay on The UK's SKY Channel 905, XM radio, Atlanta, Ga.'s 99x, Macon, Ga.'s Q106, and Auburn, Al.'s TigerFM.
Mattox currently reigns as an award-winning artist for:
"Best Rock Band" and "Best Singer-Songwriter" Flagpole Music Awards (Athens, Ga.)
"Best Front-Man" Atlanta Music Guide Music Awards
"Best Singer-Songwriter" and "Best Instrumentalist" Creative Loafing's Best of Atlanta
#1 on The Best Unsigned Band List Alternative Addiction
Creative Loafing says, "As long as Bain Mattox keeps writing simple, stunning, sad songs, he'll maintain both mainstream and indie cred."
Jet Black Ash
Bain Mattox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'll get everything you need
I'll give you house white
I'll provide you'll see
Children will cheer you
Gold to touch your feet
And only laughter
It's the kind that you'll agree
You'll see
You'll see
You'll see out of this black hole
From sunny days to green trees
And when you grow up you'll be beautiful
You'll see
No more diseased pets
Or dumpster diving no more
You'll come home to
Milk-chocolate lined floors
And we'll all be there
Dining in style
In your house white
Just hold on for awhile
You'll see
You'll see
You'll see out of this black hole
From sunny days to green trees
And when you grow up you'll be beautiful
You'll see
Born from the jet black ash
Risen from the dead
You'll be sleeping on clouds
And the moon to rest your head
You'll see
You'll see out of this black hole
From sunny days to green trees
And when you grow up you'll be beautiful
(I'm gonna be beautiful when I grow up)
When you grow up you'll be beautiful
You'll see
(When you grow up you'll be beautiful, you'll see)
When you grow up you'll be beautiful
You'll see
(When you grow up you'll be beautiful)
You'll see
You'll see
You'll see out of this black hole
From sunny days to green trees
And when you grow up you'll be beautiful
You'll see
You'll see
You'll see out of this black hole
From sunny days to green trees
And when you grow up you'll be beautiful
You'll be beautiful
You'll be beauitful
You'll see
In this song, Bain Mattox is communicating a message of hope and promise to someone who he cares about deeply. The song is about someone who has faced difficult circumstances in their life, perhaps growing up in poverty or facing some other form of adversity. Mattox sings about providing for this person, offering them a life of luxury and ease - if they can just hold on for a while.
The song uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of this future life - milk-chocolate lined floors, dining in style, and sleeping on clouds. Mattox promises that the person he is singing to will see "sunny days and green trees" and will be "beautiful" when they grow up. Overall, the lyrics of "Jet Black Ash" suggest that Mattox is trying to offer comfort and reassurance to someone who is struggling, telling them that things will get better and that they deserve to live a life of wealth and happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
You be a good girl
If you behave well and do what I say, I will reward you.
You'll get everything you need
You'll receive everything you require to make your life comfortable and easy.
I'll give you house white
I'll provide you with a beautiful white house to live in.
I'll provide you'll see
I'll make sure that you are taken care of and have all your needs met.
Children will cheer you
The kids will love you and be eager to spend time with you.
Gold to touch your feet
You'll be surrounded by wealth and lavishness.
And only laughter
You'll experience joy and mirth, and no sorrow.
It's the kind that you'll agree
The laughter you'll experience will be the type you like.
You'll see out of this black hole
You'll escape from the gloom and misery you're presently experiencing.
From sunny days to green trees
You'll have a wonderful, vibrant life filled with sunshine and nature.
And when you grow up you'll be beautiful
You'll be stunning and attractive when you mature.
No more diseased pets
You won't have to deal with unwell animals anymore.
Or dumpster diving no more
You won't have to scavenge for food in trash bins anymore.
You'll come home to
You'll return to a comfortable and happy home.
Milk-chocolate lined floors
Your dwelling will be exquisitely designed, with chocolate colored floors.
And we'll all be there
Your family and close friends will always be by your side.
Dining in style
You'll enjoy eating together with your loved ones in a stylish setting.
Just hold on for awhile
Don't worry, just be patient for a little bit longer.
Born from the jet black ash
You came from a situation where everything was dismal and hopeless.
Risen from the dead
You overcame the odds and managed to survive despite all the difficulties.
You'll be sleeping on clouds
You'll live a life of luxury and comfort.
And the moon to rest your head
You'll have the best and most tranquil sleeping conditions.
When you grow up you'll be beautiful, you'll see
You'll be amazed at how attractive you become when you grow up.
You'll see
You'll realize just how much your life has improved.
You'll be beautiful
You'll be stunning, both inside and out.
You'll see
You'll realize just how blessed and fortunate you are.
You'll see out of this black hole
You'll break free from the darkness that was once pervasive in your life.
From sunny days to green trees
You'll experience joy and harmony, surrounded by nature and life.
And when you grow up you'll be beautiful
You'll be stunning, both inside and out, once you reach maturity.
You'll be beauitful
You'll be stunning, both inside and out, for the rest of your days.
You'll see
You'll continue to appreciate and cherish all the blessings in your life.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind