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."
Rice Paper Heart
Bain Mattox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Been conned in faith
I've brought my break up to the surface into modern day
I'll pause and play and inch away from this technicolor episode
Stemming from this juncture the simplicity of puncturing this
Rice paper heart
Rhythms have been beating a staccato marching feeling on my
Mine eyes have seen the knighted ceiling
Maybe tonight I'll dream
And window-wipe my eyelids from the pouring rain
Damned in my face
Controlled by the ache of someone I'm not too familiar with
Stemming from this juncture the simplicity of puncturing this
Rice paper heart
Rhythms have been beating a staccato marching feeling on my
Rice paper heart
If I could consume you down, I would
Then you would always be around
You would, you would, you would
To modern day
I'll pause and play
And inch away from this technicolor episode
In the song "Rice Paper Heart" by Bain Mattox, the first verse talks about the singer's loss of bravery and trust in faith. The singer has brought up their breakup to the modern day and is trying to distance themselves from it. The reference to the "technicolor episode" emphasizes the intensity of the situation. The second verse describes the singer's current state of mind. They feel trapped, controlled by an unfamiliar pain. The mention of the "knighted ceiling" and dreaming shows the singer's hope for escape, but they are still plagued by the pouring rain and the ache. The chorus repeats a metaphor comparing the singer's heart to rice paper, fragile and easily pierced. The rhythms beating on the heart create a sense of urgency and tension.
The bridge adds a new layer to the song. The singer wishes they could consume the person they are referring to in the song, so they would always be around. This line is intriguing because it adds a darker twist to the song; the heart may already be vulnerable, but it seems the singer is also struggling with possessiveness. The song ends with the same line as the first verse; it represents the singer's attempt to distance themselves from the heartbreak and move on from the situation.
Line by Line Meaning
I've lost my brave
I feel like I've lost my courage or bravery.
Been conned in faith
I've been deceived or misled by something I once had faith in.
I've brought my break up to the surface into modern day
I'm dealing with a recent breakup or emotional pain that I'm bringing to the present day and facing head-on.
I'll pause and play and inch away from this technicolor episode
I'm taking a step back from the intense emotions I'm feeling and trying to distance myself from the situation.
Stemming from this juncture the simplicity of puncturing this Rice paper heart
Starting from this moment, I realize how easy it is to break my fragile heart and be emotionally vulnerable.
Rhythms have been beating a staccato marching feeling on my Rice paper heart
My heart is beating rapidly with a marching-like rhythm as if it's about to break.
Mine eyes have seen the knighted ceiling
I'm looking up at the ceiling and feeling a sense of hopelessness or defeat.
Maybe tonight I'll dream And window-wipe my eyelids from the pouring rain
I hope that I'll have a good dream tonight that will help me feel better and wash away my tears.
Damned in my face Controlled by the ache of someone I'm not too familiar with
I feel like I'm cursed or doomed because I'm constantly thinking about someone I don't know well, yet their presence is controlling my emotions.
If I could consume you down, I would Then you would always be around You would, you would, you would
If only I could absorb someone's presence so that they would always be with me, regardless of whether or not they actually want to be there.
To modern day I'll pause and play And inch away from this technicolor episode
I'm trying to take a step back from the vivid and intense emotions I'm feeling and live in the present moment.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind